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#2 Self-leadership, integrity and personal effectiveness
Middle managers in social services lead and manage others most effectively when their practice is informed by a strong and explicit value base. They understand the importance of self- leadership and are committed to their own personal and professional development. They recognise that leadership requires work on oneself as well as engagement with others.
To earn this Open Badge, you should use the resources on our Step into Leadership website to help you meet the criteria below. You may also wish to reflect on other leadership learning you have undertaken that contributes to you meeting the criteria for example; a formal leadership programme you have undertaken or leadership learning that has been delivered by your organisation.
Provide evidence that you are able to:
- demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of core values and professional ethics within social services
- recognise and articulate your own personal and professional values and principles, understanding how these may differ from those of others
- represent and promote core social work/social care values in interactions with people who use services, carers, staff and colleagues in other agencies
- manage complex ethical and professional dilemmas including being prepared to take appropriate action if ethics and values are compromised
- demonstrate a clear sense of your own professionalism and confidence to act with appropriate authority
- demonstrate critical awareness of your own strengths and limitations and the impact of your behaviour on others
- adapt to different people and situations while remaining authentic
- take responsibility for your own emotions and prejudices and understand how these can affect your judgment and behaviour
- commit to a work-life balance which supports your own health and wellbeing and reflects a positive workplace culture
- critically reflect on your own leadership and management practice including actively seeking, analysing and acting on feedback from a range of sources
- pursue opportunities for personal learning and take responsibility for your continuing professional development.
You should already hold the Leadership Capability Feedback badge.
Please provide a written statement or link to an audio or video recording showing how what you’ve learned from the resources has contributed to your professional development and informed your practice. There’s no limit to the number of words you can use in your statement although we would suggest 500-1000 words will allow you to reflect your learning effectively. Keep the criteria above in mind when preparing your statement. You can provide your statement on the badge application form or provide a link to your own blog or e-portfolio.
If you want to use a blog or ePortfolio entry as evidence, you might find our guide to preparing and publishing your evidence useful.
Remember, the evidence you provide will be viewable by anyone you show your badge to. Please don’t include confidential or private information within your statement.
Badge issuer
Scottish Social Services Council
Promoting high standards, raising public confidence and developing a trained and trusted social service workforce in Scotland.
Submit your application
The SSSC Open Badge system relies on trust. We trust that the evidence you provide will be of your own work and based on your own skills and knowledge.
By submitting an application you agree to the following statement:
“In studying and completing the activities for this badge, I confirm that all the work provided as evidence will be my own.”
The SSSC will revoke a badge if the evidence provided is discovered to have been the work of someone else.
Your evidence, name, and email address will be sent to the organisation who issue this badge