3.2 Describe the process for agreeing a personal development plan and who should be involved

A Personal Development Plan (or PDP) is a written document that records your goals related to your learning and development, any actions that you need to complete to achieve them and your progress.

In it’s simplest form, a PDP consists of a list goals or objectives that you have agreed with your manager along with timescales. This could include completing your Level 2 Diploma within 12 months or enrolling on a safeguarding workshop within one month. However, it does not have to be formal training. It can include things like reflecting on a work activity once per week or committing the 6Cs of Nursing to memory within one month.

It is important that your PDP is mutually agreeable between yourself and your manager, so it is essential that this discussion takes place. This is because personal development should benefit both you and your employer. For example, you may love to do a course in rock climbing but this would not really be beneficial for a care role. Similarly, your manager may want you to do your Level 3 Diploma but you may already have a lot going on in your personal life and would not be able to commit the time to complete it. Therefore, both you and your manager should set goals in your PDP that are appropriate for you both.

Your PDP should be reviewed regularly by yourself and your manager to check your progress and to work together to overcome any barriers that may be holding you up.