Health and Social Care Career Pathways: Poster Design, Research, and Professional Development

XGBCYP5045 Professional Placement – Group Presentation

Assessment Pack contents

Short introduction to the task.
Key terms
Key resources
Template to outline structure and content
Rubric to understand marking criteria

Short introduction to the task

You are tasked with creating and presenting a poster that explores a job or career path relevant to your degree. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect what you’ve been studying to a real-world role that could shape your future.
Working in pairs or in small group of 3 students, research the role thoroughly, including its description, required qualifications, skills, career progression, and relevant policies. Adding examples from your course or placement experiences can make your research stand out and feel more authentic.
Use credible sources like NHS, council, or company websites. Reliable research will not only strengthen your poster but also demonstrate professional integrity.
Your poster, size A2, should be visually appealing, well-referenced, and inspiring. Include visual elements, colors, and design that communicate enthusiasm and professionalism.
Showcasing your research and linking it to transferable skills and graduate attributes. Your goal is to inspire others and reflect genuine understanding of your chosen career.
Attendance and participation in the event are mandatory to pass this assignment. Active engagement helps you gain confidence and valuable presentation experience.

In pairs only (if odd number in class 1–3 group can be 3 students). Collaborating effectively with your partner(s) will also enhance your teamwork and communication abilities.

Poster A2
Please choose a career pathway relevant to Health and Social Care. Pick a path that genuinely interests you so your enthusiasm shines through in your work.

WORD COUNT: 1500 WORDS

Key Resources

Core texts

Burns, T., & Sinfield, S. (2022). Essential study skills: the complete guide to success at university (Fifth edition.) SAGE.
Taking insights from this text can help structure and organize your research effectively.

Dobson, J., & Melrose, A. (2020). Working with children, families and young people: professional dilemmas, perspectives and solutions. Routledge.
Including this reference supports your understanding of real-world challenges in health and social care.

Jamieson, M. (2023). Coaching Young People for Leadership. Critical Publishing.
Reflect on how coaching principles can influence your approach to career development.

Kern, M. L., & Wehmeyer, M. L. (2021). The Palgrave Handbook of Positive Education. Springer International Publishing AG.
Integrating ideas from positive education can enrich your reflection on transferable skills.

Watson, K. (2022). Good Autism Practice for Teachers: Embracing Neurodiversity and Supporting Inclusion. Critical Publishing.
Drawing on inclusion practices enhances your ability to link professional empathy with policy awareness.

Recommended texts

Hodgkins, A., & Prowle, A. (2023). Strength-based Practice with Children and Families. Critical Publishing.
Highlight how strength-based approaches align with professional attributes in health and social care.

Morley, D. A. (2018). Enhancing employability in higher education through work-based learning. Palgrave Macmillan.
Connecting employability skills with your research ensures your poster remains career-focused.

Smale, B., & Fowlie, J. (2015). How to succeed at university: an essential guide to academic skills, personal development and employability. Sage.
Applying techniques from this guide can help improve your presentation and writing clarity.

White, E. (2021). The Teacher Educator’s Handbook: A narrative approach to professional learning. Critical Publishing.
Using narrative examples can make your poster’s content more engaging and relatable.

Websites

LTU Careers + Placements webpages
Careers+Placements (leedstrinity.ac.uk)
Visiting this site gives you direct access to tailored university support and job search resources.

Prospects website:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/
Exploring this website helps you gain accurate and updated insights into roles, salaries, and career progressions.

Template

Part 1:

Job Title
Job Description – when researching job roles do not use sites like Indeed as they do not provide much detail. Go to NHS or council sites or even the company’s own webpage. Including authentic descriptions ensures your content is aligned with industry standards.
Approx Wage
Qualifications Needed to start
Career Progression Pathways – where could this role lead to in the future? Consider discussing both vertical and lateral progression to illustrate flexibility in career development.

Part 2:

Skills needed for the role – how could you link these to your experience? Reference transferable skills. Reflecting on your practical examples will demonstrate deeper self-awareness.
Graduate Attribute Framework – what parts of the framework are relevant to this role? Conduct some research into parts of the framework that you feel are a good fit for this role. Making these connections helps illustrate your readiness for professional life.
The framework can be found in your module handbooks.

Part 3:

Are there any policies or acts that are mentioned when you conduct research about this role? Reference the acts and explain why they are relevant. Including legal or ethical considerations shows maturity in professional reasoning.
What are the feel-good factors associated with this role? Who could you ask to find out? Gathering perspectives from practitioners or alumni can add authenticity.

Reference list (not included in the word count).
Your report must include references from pertinent literature. Strong referencing enhances credibility and academic rigor.
Use appropriate academic language and terminology.
Correct APA referencing style in-text and reference list.
Proofread your work prior to submission. Reviewing your draft multiple times will improve flow and accuracy.

Rubric used to mark

72, 75, 78

Thank you for submitting this assignment please read the feedback to improve your work in future. Receiving feedback is a valuable part of your academic growth.
This grade is subject to moderation.

Knowledge and Understanding
Thorough understanding evident and well applied to specific assessment task.
Structure and Argument
Clear and logical focus and direction with valuable connections made between claims. Good level of creativity.
Analysis and Conclusions
Insightful analysis throughout with appropriate conclusions drawn.
Sources and Evidence
Clear support of argument with well selected evidence.
Adherence to referencing conventions, technical skills.
Excellent referencing or technical skills.
Written, visual, oral style & clarity
Fluent and accurate with great clarity and coherence. Mostly confident delivery, pace and audience engagement.

62, 65, 68

Thank you for submitting this assignment please read the feedback to improve your work in future. Using constructive feedback at this level can help you push into higher grade bands.
This grade is subject to moderation.

Knowledge and Understanding
Secure, general understanding and reasonable application to assessment task.
Structure and argument
Well-focused on the question with some clear connections made between claims and some overall direction. Some creativity.
Analysis and Conclusions
Strong analysis of salient illustrative examples. Some general conclusions drawn.
Sources and Evidence
Draws on… (continues as in rubric).

📚 Suggested References (2019–2025)

1. Duffy, J., & O’Dwyer, L. (2021). Promoting professional practice in health and social care through reflection and supervision. Journal of Social Work Practice, 35(3), 235–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2021.1914449

2. Wallace, C., & Joyner, K. (2022). Developing employability skills in higher education health programs. Teaching in Higher Education, 27(8), 1304–1320. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2021.1900811

3. Lishman, J. (2020). Communication in social work: Effective practice in health and social care. Red Globe Press.

4. McNair, L., & Fraser, S. (2023). Career pathways and workforce development in health and social care. British Journal of Healthcare Management, 29(5), 178–185. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjhc.2023.29.5.178

5. Taylor, B., & Whittaker, A. (2019). Professional decision making and risk in social work and health. Learning Matters.