Attitudes and values for personal development — City & Guilds Limited Digital Functional Skills Qualification Foundations for Learning Revision

    This element explores how personal attitudes and values underpin effective personal development and social integration. Learners will examine the significa

    Topic Synopsis

    This element explores how personal attitudes and values underpin effective personal development and social integration. Learners will examine the significance of self-awareness, positive mindsets, and value-driven behaviour in achieving personal goals and building constructive relationships. Practical strategies for identifying and cultivating personal strengths are introduced to support lifelong learning and employability.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Attitudes and values for personal development

    CITY & GUILDS LIMITED
    vocational

    This element focuses on recognising personal attitudes and values and understanding how they influence behaviour and personal development. Learners explore methods to identify and build on their personal strengths, fostering self-awareness and positive growth. Practical application includes self-reflection and goal setting to enhance personal and social skills.

    3
    Learning Outcomes
    12
    Assessment Guidance
    12
    Key Skills
    3
    Key Terms
    11
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    City & Guilds Entry Level Introductory Award in Personal and Social Skills (Entry 3)
    City & Guilds Entry Level Certificate in Personal and Social Skills (Entry 3)
    City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate in Personal and Social Skills

    Topic Overview

    The City & Guilds Entry Level Certificate in Personal and Social Skills (Entry 3) is designed to help you develop the essential skills you need to navigate everyday life, build positive relationships, and become more independent. This qualification covers a range of practical topics, including communication, teamwork, personal safety, and managing money. It is ideal for students who are building confidence in their abilities and preparing for further study, work, or independent living.

    At Entry 3, you will focus on applying these skills in real-world contexts. For example, you will learn how to express your opinions clearly, work effectively with others, and make informed decisions about your health and wellbeing. The course also emphasises personal development, helping you to recognise your strengths, set goals, and take responsibility for your own learning. These skills are not only important for your education but are also valued by employers and essential for adult life.

    This qualification fits within the wider Foundations for Learning framework, which supports students who are building foundational skills before moving on to higher-level qualifications. By completing this certificate, you will gain a recognised award that demonstrates your ability to apply personal and social skills in a variety of settings. It also provides a stepping stone to further study in areas such as employability, citizenship, or independent living skills.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Communication: Understanding how to listen actively, speak clearly, and adapt your language for different audiences and purposes.
    • →Teamwork: Working cooperatively with others, sharing ideas, and resolving conflicts constructively.
    • →Personal safety: Recognising risks in different environments (e.g., online, at home, in the community) and knowing how to keep yourself safe.
    • →Managing money: Budgeting, understanding the difference between needs and wants, and making informed spending decisions.
    • →Self-awareness: Identifying your own strengths and areas for improvement, setting personal goals, and reflecting on your progress.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Understand the importance of personal attitudes and values, Understand how to develop personal strengths
    • Understand the importance of personal attitudes and values, Understand how to develop personal strengths
    • Understand the importance of personal attitudes and values, Understand how to develop personal strengths

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for demonstrating an understanding of at least three personal attitudes (e.g., confidence, respect, resilience) and explaining how they impact daily interactions.
    • Credit should be given when learners provide specific examples of personal strengths and outline a simple plan for developing one.
    • Evidence of self-assessment through a completed personal strengths checklist or reflective journal entries should be recognised.
    • Award credit for demonstrating a clear understanding of how personal attitudes (e.g., motivation, resilience) affect daily interactions and task completion.
    • Look for evidence that the learner can identify at least two of their own personal values and explain how these guide their behaviour.
    • Assess that the learner outlines a specific plan for developing a chosen personal strength, including realistic steps and potential barriers.
    • Credit responses that link the development of personal strengths to improved social performance or future aspirations.
    • Award credit for clear identification of at least two personal attitudes and two personal values, with examples of how each is demonstrated in real-life situations.
    • Evidence must show understanding of the link between attitudes/values and positive personal development, e.g., explaining how a positive attitude contributes to resilience.
    • Learner must produce a personal development plan that includes at least one specific strength to develop, a realistic goal, and simple, sequenced steps to achieve it.
    • Assessor looks for reflective commentary that evaluates own progress in developing a chosen personal strength, noting any challenges faced and adjustments made.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Use clear, simple language and real-life examples from your own experience to illustrate attitudes and values.
    • 💡Ensure your portfolio includes evidence of self-reflection, such as a completed strengths log or worksheet.
    • 💡Link your personal strengths to specific situations where you have used them or wish to develop them further.
    • 💡Review the assessment criteria carefully to ensure you cover both understanding attitudes/values and demonstrating personal strengths development.
    • 💡Always relate your answers to your own experiences; use ‘I’ statements and concrete instances from work, study, or personal life.
    • 💡When discussing attitudes, specify how they are displayed in everyday situations (e.g., showing patience during a group task).
    • 💡For strength development, follow the SMART framework: ensure your plan is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
    • 💡Check that your identified values are genuinely reflected in your actions; assessors will look for consistency between stated values and described behaviours.
    • 💡Anchor all responses in real-life examples from your own school, home, or community experiences – this demonstrates genuine understanding and earns higher marks.
    • 💡When writing about developing personal strengths, use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to structure goals and actions clearly.
    • 💡For the personal development plan, show progression by including regular review points where you assess what worked and what you would change – assessors value honest reflection.
    • 💡Differentiate explicitly between attitudes (how you think/feel about something) and values (what you believe is important) to avoid losing marks for conceptual confusion.
    • 💡Tip 1: Use real-life examples in your assessments. When asked to demonstrate a skill like communication or teamwork, refer to a specific situation you have experienced or observed. This shows the examiner that you can apply your learning practically.
    • 💡Tip 2: Read each question carefully and identify the key command words, such as 'describe', 'explain', or 'demonstrate'. Make sure you address exactly what is being asked. For example, if a question asks you to 'describe' a situation, give details rather than just naming it.
    • 💡Tip 3: In group activities or role-plays, actively participate and show that you can listen to others. Examiners look for evidence of cooperation, such as asking questions, offering ideas, and responding to feedback.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Assuming attitudes are fixed and cannot be changed or developed.
    • Confusing attitudes with skills or knowledge without linking them to personal values.
    • Neglecting to connect identified values to practical behaviours or personal development goals.
    • Providing vague strengths without specific examples or contexts.
    • Confusing attitudes with skills; learners may state they are 'good at listening' as an attitude rather than a skill.
    • Failing to provide personal examples, instead giving generic definitions without application to their own life.
    • Overlooking the connection between values and actual behaviour, treating values as abstract ideals without practical demonstration.
    • Neglecting to set measurable or time-bound steps when planning strength development, resulting in vague intentions.
    • Confusing attitudes with values – for instance, presenting a value like ‘respect’ as an attitude, rather than recognising attitudes as learned predispositions to respond consistently.
    • Listing generic strengths without personalising them – learners often state they are ‘hardworking’ without providing a specific example from their own experience.
    • Setting unrealistic or vague development goals, such as ‘be more confident’ without breaking this down into observable, measurable steps.
    • Describing attitudes and values only in positive terms, neglecting to acknowledge negative or unhelpful attitudes that may hinder personal development.
    • Misconception: 'Personal and social skills are just common sense, so I don't need to study them.' Correction: While some aspects may seem familiar, this qualification teaches you structured approaches and strategies that can be applied in new or challenging situations. For example, learning specific techniques for active listening can improve your relationships and teamwork.
    • Misconception: 'Teamwork means I have to agree with everyone.' Correction: Effective teamwork involves sharing different opinions and reaching a compromise. You can disagree respectfully and still work together towards a common goal.
    • Misconception: 'Personal safety is only about physical danger.' Correction: Personal safety also includes online safety, emotional wellbeing, and knowing how to say no to peer pressure. The course covers all these aspects.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •It is helpful to have completed Entry Level 2 in Personal and Social Skills or have equivalent experience, as this builds on basic communication and social skills.
    • •A basic understanding of everyday maths (e.g., counting money, telling time) will support the money management and planning topics.
    • •No formal qualifications are required, but a willingness to work with others and reflect on your own behaviour is important.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Understand the importance of personal attitudes and values, Understand how to develop personal strengths
    • Understand the importance of personal attitudes and values, Understand how to develop personal strengths
    • Understand the importance of personal attitudes and values, Understand how to develop personal strengths

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