Open College Network West Midlands Level 1 Award in Working with Young People

OPEN-COLLEGE-NETWORK-WEST-MIDLANDS

vocational

This unit introduces learners to the concept of proactive self-development within the context of working with young people. It emphasises the importance of taking personal responsibility for identifying strengths, setting meaningful goals, and engaging in activities that build the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to support young people effectively. Through planning, action, and structured reflection, learners develop a foundation for continuous professional growth that directly enhances their practice.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for demonstrating understanding of how self-development benefits both the learner and the young people they work with, including specific examples of improved practice.
Evidence must include a clear, realistic self-development plan with at least two SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) targets that relate directly to working with young people.
Reward active participation in self-development activities, documented through a reflective log, witness testimony, or dated action plans that show genuine engagement.
Credit a review that identifies personal progress against set targets, highlighting what went well, what could be improved, and how future goals might be adapted based on this reflection.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for demonstrating understanding of how self-development benefits both the learner and the young people they work with, including specific examples of improved practice.
Evidence must include a clear, realistic self-development plan with at least two SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) targets that relate directly to working with young people.
Reward active participation in self-development activities, documented through a reflective log, witness testimony, or dated action plans that show genuine engagement.
Credit a review that identifies personal progress against set targets, highlighting what went well, what could be improved, and how future goals might be adapted based on this reflection.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Use a structured reflective framework (such as Gibbs or Kolb) to guide your reviews, ensuring you move beyond description to genuine analysis and planning.
💡In your portfolio, include a variety of evidence types: written plans, diary entries, photos of activities, feedback from supervisors, or annotated materials to show depth.
💡When setting goals, always ask yourself: 'How will achieving this help me better support young people?' This keeps your evidence focused on the vocational context required by the qualification.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Learners often set vague personal goals (e.g., 'be more confident') without linking them to specific, observable behaviours in a youth work setting.
Evidence of participation is sometimes limited to attendance certificates rather than providing a critical account of what was learned and how it was applied.
Reviews frequently describe activities without evaluating the impact on personal development or future practice, missing the essential reflective element.
Learners may neglect to connect self-development directly to the needs of young people, making it appear generic rather than vocationally relevant.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Know how to take an active role in self development., Be able to plan for self development., Be able to take part in self development activities., Be able to review own self development progress.

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Open College Network West Midlands Level 1 Award in Working with Young People

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Key Terminology

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OPEN-COLLEGE-NETWORK-WEST-MIDLANDS vocational Teaching & Education

Understanding the principles and practices of assessment

Beliefs and Values

Building Relationships with Young People

Developing Self