C8 Develop own practice and networks
This is about disciplined reflection on your practice, continuing professional development and building the networks that make you a valued professional to work with. Whatever the focus of your practice, your aim should be to keep developing your ability to support clients, from a personal and career point of view and in line with the needs of the organisation you work for.
What you need to show
- C8.1
Review from time to time what your role requires of you and how that is changing
- C8.2
Reflect on your practice after client work and at key points, using valid evidence about your methods, their impact and the improvements needed
- C8.3
Seek honest feedback regularly from clients, colleagues and others who see your work
- C8.4
Assess your knowledge, skills and behaviours against these Standards and identify your development needs
- C8.5
Plan, do and record your continuing professional development, revising your plan as your role and practice change
- C8.6
Keep your knowledge of business practice and business support up to date, including developments in technology and policy
- C8.7
Develop professional networks, both formal and informal, that open up information, expertise and opportunities for you and your clients
- C8.8
Give to your networks as well as take from them, so that people trust you, and keep client confidences within them
- C8.9
Open up your contacts to clients where this creates opportunities for them
- C8.10
Evaluate the impact of your development activities and networks on the quality of the support you provide
What you need to know and understand
- C8.K1
Why reflective practice matters, how to do it, and why self-assessment alone can mislead
- C8.K2
Sources of useful feedback on your practice (for example professional supervision, peer review, reflective practice groups and client feedback)
- C8.K3
How to write a development plan with clear, measurable objectives and timescales
- C8.K4
The strengths and limits of different ways of developing (for example courses, workshops, conferences, mentoring, peer learning, online learning and work shadowing)
- C8.K5
How you learn best
- C8.K6
How to grow and keep up networks, including through specialist groups, business networks and online professional communities
- C8.K7
How to judge what your networks are worth to you and your clients, against the time they take
- C8.K8
The CPD expectations that apply to you, including those of SFEDI and of your organisation or professional body
- C8.K9
Your own values and motivations for working in business support, and how they affect your practice
Evolved from
Business Support 5 (Develop networks to provide access to information, support and resources); Business Support 6 (Evaluate the quality of your own practice in business support); Business Support 7 (Develop your own ability to provide business support); Business Information 5 to 7; Introduction to Enterprise Support 3; Business and Enterprise Support (2013) units 1 (in part), 12 (in part), 13, 17 and 18.