Portfolio Reflection and Research Proposal

Assignment Brief

Use the taught learning in class to identify your learning goals and follow the portfolio guidance to theoretically discuss your learning journey

1. Introduction – [State what aspects of your learning and professional practice you will be reporting on. Briefly describe the learning outcomes you set yourself at the beginning of your field work practice and explain why you have identified them. State how these relate to the theoretical underpinning of Social and Community Work. The main focus is on how you have maintained a close link between theory and practice]

2. Learning Journey – [Reflecting on your learning journey over the past academic year, discuss how you have developed as a professional Social and Community worker, taking into account the development of the project / resource proposal and work based placement practice to deliver resources, identifying and analysing ethical issues and professional boundaries; including your own skills, knowledge and values and identify areas for development;]

3. Critical Evaluation [Critically evaluate your project / resource, comment on the relevance and quality of the resources used (curriculum, people etc). What further resources are needed to achieve desired outcomes? with recommendation for future needs]

4. Challenges [Describe any challenges encountered in your attempt to link theory to practice; Give examples from your placement practice experience. To what extent were your aims achieved? What could have been done differently? What follow up or future action is there? How has this activity contributed to your attainment of Social and Community Work and your professional development?]

SA2: Research Proposal Content guidance

Title This is just a tentative title for your intended research. You may revise your title once you begin the project, in year 3, if necessary. The title should succinctly encapsulate what the proposed research is about. Examples of previous titles can be found on Moodle. Abstract The proposal should include a concise statement of your intended research of no more than 100 words. This may be a couple of sentences setting out the problem that you want to examine or the central question that you wish to address.  The writing for this section will be an improved draft of the details noted in your Research Proposal Form and discussed in with your seminar tutor and/or during your research conversation. Research Context & Literature Review You should explain the background against which you will conduct your research. You should include a brief overview of the general area of study within which your proposed research falls, summarising the current state of knowledge and recent debates on the topic. This will allow you to demonstrate a familiarity with the relevant field as well as the ability to communicate clearly and concisely. Research Questions  The proposal should set out the central aims and questions that will guide your research. Before writing your proposal, you should take time to reflect on the key questions that you are seeking to answer. Many research proposals are too broad, so reflecting on your key research questions is a good way to make sure that your project is sufficiently narrow and feasible (i.e. one that is likely to be completed with the normal period for a undergraduate dissertation). You might find it helpful to prioritize one or two main questions, from which you can then derive a number of secondary research questions. The proposal should also explain your intended approach to answering the questions: will your approach be empirical, or theoretical etc.? Research Methods & Ethical Considerations The proposal should outline your research methods, explaining how you are going to conduct your research and analyse your research findings. Your methods may include visiting particular libraries or archives, field work or observation or interviews. If your proposed research is library-based, you should explain where your key resources are located. If you plan to conduct field work or collect empirical data, you should provide details about this (e.g. if you plan interviews, who will you interview? How many interviews will you conduct? Will there be problems of access?). In this section you need to demonstrate an understanding of ethical procedures and, where appropriate, how they will be applied in your proposed study. For example: What is informed consent? How will you gain informed consent in the study? What is meant by confidentiality and anonymity? How will confidentiality and anonymity be assured in the study? What are the possible risks to the participants? How might these be mitigated? Significance of Research  The proposal should demonstrate the originality of your intended research. You should therefore explain why your research is important (for example, by explaining how your research builds on and adds to the current state of knowledge in the field or by setting out reasons why it is timely to research your proposed topic).

Sample Answer

Portfolio Reflection and Research Proposal

Introduction

This report reflects on my learning and professional development during my recent field work practice in Social and Community Work. I will discuss the goals I set at the beginning of my placement, explain how I maintained a link between theory and practice, and reflect on my progress over the academic year. The second part of the report is a research proposal that sets out the foundation for my future dissertation project, including context, research questions, methodology, and ethical considerations. Together, these sections demonstrate how my personal learning journey connects with the broader academic and professional expectations of the discipline.

Learning Journey

At the start of my placement, I identified learning outcomes that focused on developing stronger communication skills, gaining confidence in managing professional boundaries, and deepening my understanding of ethical practice in social and community work. I was also determined to enhance my knowledge of resource development, as I knew this would be important for working with diverse communities. These goals were rooted in theoretical perspectives from social work education, particularly person-centred practice, anti-oppressive practice, and reflective learning.

Throughout the year, I learned to connect these theories with practice by engaging with service users in real situations. The placement gave me the chance to deliver resources, design small project ideas, and observe how professional values shape day-to-day work. I improved my listening and empathy skills, developed an ability to manage sensitive situations respectfully, and gained confidence in addressing ethical challenges. This journey also highlighted areas for development, such as improving time management when delivering tasks and building further knowledge on safeguarding frameworks.

Critical Evaluation

The project work and resources I developed were relevant to the needs of the placement setting. For example, I created a resource that supported young people in accessing local health services. Feedback from colleagues suggested that it was clear and accessible, which confirmed the value of using simple, inclusive language. The quality of resources relied heavily on input from staff and service users, which shows how collaboration is central to effective community practice.

However, I also recognised limitations. The project would have benefited from additional funding to expand the design and from digital tools to make the resources available online. For future work, stronger collaboration with schools and local health providers could further improve reach and impact. This critical evaluation has shown me the importance of linking theoretical frameworks about participation and empowerment with practical resource delivery.

Challenges

The main challenge I faced was linking theory to practice in fast-moving situations. In class, we studied clear models of professional boundaries and ethics, but in practice, decisions often had to be made quickly without full information. For example, I encountered situations where confidentiality needed to be balanced with safeguarding, which made me reflect critically on how theory guides but does not always fully resolve practice dilemmas.

Another challenge was managing workload and confidence. At times, I doubted whether I was applying theory correctly. Support from my supervisor and reflective journals helped me identify strengths and weaknesses more clearly. Overall, I achieved my main aims of developing confidence, communication, and understanding of professional values, but I know there is more to learn. In future, I would like to take on greater responsibility for project design and evaluation to strengthen my leadership skills.

Continued...