Meta-skills Profiler

Prototype Meta-skills Profiler for use in pilot delivery only.

(Version 1.0) August 2023

This is a prototype profiling resource for meta-skills. We welcome feedback from

centres who choose to use it with their learners, which will help us to improve future
iterations.
Introduction
This document can be used for three key stages of meta-skills development:
1. Your meta-skills baseline self-assessment
2. Planned meta-skills development - setting goals and outlining actions
3. Monitoring goals and referencing your reflections
It should be saved onto your computer, college VLE, or e-portfolios, and stored as evidence.

Undertaking a baseline self-assessment

You can find out more in our meta-skills SQA Academy modules for learners:

• The Understanding Meta-skills module explains the meta-skils categories, skills and sub-skills

• The Developing Meta-skills module covers the work involved in a baseline self-assessment

Once you have a clear understanding of the twelve meta-skills, you can use this part of the form to
record your baseline ratings. This will allow you to reflect on your scores and monitor your progress
later in the course.
Rate yourself for each meta-skill: 1: Not at all confident 8: Extremely confident

Self-management

Focusing 5

Integrity 8

Adapting 6

Initiative 6

Social Intelligence

Leading 6
Collaborating 5
Feeling 8
Communicating 5

Innovation
Curiosity 6
Creativity 7
Sense-making 7
Critical Thinking 7
Reflecting on scores
Give reasons for the ratings you have given above. You don't need to write in-depth about each
one. You can focus more on those skills that are most relevant to you.
Focusing Integrity
I have rated myself a 5 for focusing as i am I have rated myself an 8 for integrity as i am
able to focus and understand the task which is very open minded and understanding to both
given to me. I am able to display this others values and my own. I always try my
understanding to others and discuss my best to ensure that everyone is comfortable to
Adapting
different findings, conclusions and ideas. I Initiative themselfs whilst knowing this will be
express
sometimes find it difficult not
I have rated myself a 6 for adapting as i am to be distracted I have ratedI find
respected. myselfit easy to be
a 6 for sensitive
initiative and
because
with
alwaystheopenenvirioment
to new ideasaround andmeapproaches,
when it comes i understanding
when im put in to others feelings,
a practical enviroment principles
i am
to written work, and hope
am very open minded and am always happy to to improve on this. and cultures.
able to confidently trust my own judgement. I
approach different experiences to gain new work well under pressure and i am able to stay
knowledge. I can use the guidence from calm and compossed, and can use my own
Leading
others to adapt my behaviours and am able to Collaborating
intuition to make carefully thought decisons
Iread
havesocial
ratedcues myself a 6 on leading
well to educate myself andas i feel that I have rated
quickly. However, myselfwithin
a 5 on collaborating
college as i the
i feel i lack do
iadapt
do have the ability to
appropriately. take leadership
I hope to improve in onroles
this work well within
confidence withina mygroup and work
thoery can take and ondoubt
and
skill tasks
by using thatmy i am required
voice to asktoo. I do well
questions andat different roles and task. I am able to
my own abilities.
insprining
get feedback others fromtoothers.
also complete the role understand others feedback and perceptions
whilst
Feeling giving out clear directions, purposes and Communicating
but struggle to fully share and explain my own
motivation. I work well within
I have rated myself a 8 on feelings as i am and team and views. Throughout
I have rated myselfthis a 5 year i hope to become
on communication as i
always try to make everyone
able to look at someones situation through feel included and better at voicing my own thoughts
do very well at recieving and listening to and feelings
heard.
their In order totoget
perspective myself to athe
understand 8 id like to
feelings, and being able
information. Im to putgood
very across my ideastofor
at listening
work on my confidence
reactions and motivations. I show so that taking the role group work and within class time.
others, providing questions and using what i
of leader in projects
understanding and tasks
and patience to become
others and a little
will hear and view to shape and justify information.
easier for
always try me,
and instead
find an of waiting for
alternative this makes
which role to I Creativity
would like to improve on being able to
beCuriosity
assigned or not waiting until the the role of
them feel the most comfortable, even if this communicate my own information and views
Ileadership
have ratedismyself needed. a 6 on curiosity as i do I have rated myself a 6 on creativity as i am
requires some extra research. I feel a strong confidently, finding a way to word these which
have a strong desire to learn and inspire new able to experiment with different ideas and
sense of responsiblity for the society, and is clear and appropraite.
ideas and concepts. I love to learn about actions to see which is most beneficial and
ensure that everyones being respected and
subjects and ideas that i am not so fimiliar on. I suiting to the situation. I am able to expore
understood.
hope to improve on this skill by asking more
Sense-making different ideas and theories which are given
Critical Thinking
questions and using the resources
I have rated myself a 7 in sense making as i provided to within college
I have rated myself and put a 7them into place
on critical within
thinking as i
me to find more theories to
am able to take information given to me, look help back my practice. I do well with finding
have the ability to process, analyse and different
information.
inbetween the lines and gain a wide range of solutions different
evaluate and hopeinformation
to improvetoonform confidently
a
understanding in the topic. I can recognise voicing these with my peers.
understanding and make crititcal decision I would like to
themes and patterns within situations and improve Ion
making. this
can skill
link by sharing
relavent concepts my own andideas
ideas
information and use these to connect and and experiences and showing
to help better my own understanding, looking that keen intrest
broden my understanding. I can use relavent and
at confiedence
both the pros and in approaching
cons to predict newthe tasks.
likely
Take a moment to reflect on these initial scores.
theories and practice to support my ideas and consequences and reactions to an outcome. I
views. I can look at a text given to me,
In your baseline self-assessment, what categories or individual
find the am able
skills to look
stand out? at a problem and break it down
parts which are relvant to me or the situation
Do you have specific strengths you would like to build upon or skills you thinkportions
into smallier you needso that the situation and
to develop?
and expand using my own knowledge and problems are easier to understand, making it
Within
experience.this baseline
I hope to self assesement
improve on thisthere is a few categories
skill by more managable and individual skillsiswhich
and nothing left stand
out, one of my
expanding these own being integrity.through
knowledge This is a skill that i overlooked.
feel i already possess pretty well, and find it
pretty
different easy case to look
studies,at others
theories values
and and principles with an open mind, always willing to expand my
practice.
own knowledge and understanding. I feel that i can be very sensitive to other peoples feelings and
abilities, being able to give constructive feedback when required. I hope to continue to expand on
these skill and use my experiences in both placement and college to widen my understanding of
different cultures, issues, societial roles and global differences.
Another skill which i feel confident within is feelings, this is because i am able to look at a situation
from anothers persons perspective, taking the information that i already have to build a
understanding on this persons reactions and feelings. I can do this by looking back at past
experiences and reactions and linking these to present experiences and feelings. Being able to
Creating a personal plan for your own meta-skills development
You can find out more about planning personal goals in the Developing Meta-skills course on SQA Academy.

Leading from your baseline self-assessment, you should set out meta-skills development goals
covering all three meta-skills categories: self-management, social intelligence, and innovation. You
can use the planning sections below to outline each of your development goals. We have included
space for five goals here, but three goals are enough to cover all three categories and a range of
meta-skills.

Meta-skills development goal 1 General goal - combining a number of meta-skills

Outline your specific goal Setting time aside weekly for studying and extra reading
Select the meta-skills which apply to this goal:
Focusing ✔ Integrity Adapting Initiative ✔
Communicating Feeling Collaborating Leading

Curiosity Creativity Sense-making ✔ Critical Thinking ✔

Why am I setting this goal?
How might you use this skill in your day-to-day work or study?
Is it a strength or area for development?
What actions or strategies will you plan to help you achieve this goal?
Link to course content: experiences, workshop activities, research, discussion, assessments, projects etc.
This skill is important to have as it ensures that you dont become overwhelmed by the amount of
work that you are trying to achieve at once, throughout this year at college i hope to find a routine
that ensures that i set time aside for college work, placement and myself. I hope to improve on this
skill be setting aside days and times throughout the week where i can find myself a quiet and
distraction free zone to study and complete work, using resources that are provided to me such as
the LRC, the quiet rooms, study groups and time given within class. I will start this goal by setting
aside a hour each night to overlook my studys or to evaulate how my day in placement went,
taking down notes of experiences and feelings.
Meta-skills development goal 2 General goal - combining a number of meta-skills
Outline your specific goal: Building confidence in my work and self

Select the meta-skills which apply to this goal:

Focusing Integrity Adapting Initiative ✔
Communicating ✔ Feeling ✔ Collaborating ✔ Leading

Curiosity Creativity Sense-making ✔ Critical Thinking

Why am I setting this goal?
How might you use this skill in your day-to-day work or study?
Is it a strength or area for development?
What actions or strategies will you plan to help you achieve this goal?
Link to course content: experiences, workshop activities, research, discussion, assessments, projects etc.
My confidence in both my work and self is an area which needs some development, as i tend to
struggle to have the belief and confidence in the work i produce. Within my placement and college i
hope to build on my own self confidence and use these experiences to find more of a voice for my
understanding and views. Throughout this year i will be setting a goal to speak up more within
group work, class time and presentations. I will begin this by taking the initiative to speak out more
in group work, express my different ideas and expanding from others. I will take the time to include
myself more within discussion in both college and placement and learn to trust my own judgement.
Meta-skills development goal 3 General goal - combining a number of meta-skills

Outline your specific goal: Asking questions if struggling or needing a better understanding.

Select the meta-skills which apply to this goal:

Focusing Integrity Adapting Initiative ✔
Communicating ✔ Feeling Collaborating ✔ Leading

Curiosity Creativity Sense-making Critical Thinking

Why am I setting this goal?

How might you use this skill in your day-to-day work or study?
Is it a strength or area for development?
What actions or strategies will you plan to help you achieve this goal?
Link to course content: experiences, workshop activities, research, discussion, assessments, projects etc.
This is a skill that throughout the years i have improved on and hope to continue this throughout
college. I will do this by speaking with class mates, lecterers and with staff from placement. Within
placement i will take the time to ask question on the activities and different procedures that take
place. I will take the time to shadow other workers there, and ask different questions if im unsure.
I will use advice and tips to better myself within that role. I will start this goal by asking at least
one question a week in both college and placement.

Meta-skills development goal 4 General goal - combining a number of meta-skills

Outline your specific goal: Learning Childrens rountines and gaining understanding and knowledge
on different learning disablities and mental health theories and practices.
Select the meta-skills which apply to this goal:

Focusing ✔ Integrity Adapting ✔ Initiative ✔

Communicating ✔ Feeling Collaborating Leading

Curiosity Creativity Sense-making ✔ Critical Thinking ✔

Why am I setting this goal?
How might you use this skill in your day-to-day work or study?
Is it a strength or area for development?
What actions or strategies will you plan to help you achieve this goal?
Link to course content: experiences, workshop activities, research, discussion, assessments, projects etc.

This is a skill that i hope to develop throughout the year at my placement. I hope to learn from
both staff and children. Ill do this by taking mental notes of different traits and rountines that help
to make children feel more comfortable. Making sure to remember that each child is different and
may require different types of care to help them. At first i hope to learn these by observing both
staff and children, watching for behaviours and signs. I will use the resources given to me such
as staffs advice and case studies to help build a better understanding of each child. I will use my
time within college or during studying to look into different learning difficulties and mental health
theories to expand my knowledge and understanding.
 Meta-skills development goal 5 General goal - combining a number of meta-skills

Outline your specific goal Collaborating more within group work

Select the meta-skills which apply to this goal:
Focusing ✔ Integrity Adapting Initiative

Communicating ✔ Feeling Collaborating ✔ Leading ✔

Curiosity Creativity Sense-making Critical Thinking ✔
Why am I setting this goal?
How might you use this skill in your day-to-day work or study?
Is it a strength or area for development?
What actions or strategies will you plan to help you achieve this goal?
Link to course content: experiences, workshop activities, research, discussion, assessments, projects etc.

Collaboration within group work is an important skill to have within social care as you are often
working within teams. This is a skill which i have been working and improving on throughout the
last few years, and hope to continue to improve throughout this year in college. One way which i
will work on improving this skill is by sharing my thoughts and ideas within the group projects in
college, listening to others and expanding on their ideas. I will take the time before class to have a
think about different ideas so i have a baseline to work upon in class and dont feel overwhelmed in
the moment. I will use the group project on using social media to encourage other students to join
the HNC Social Services to expand on these skills and including myself in disscusions. My first
Monitoring goals and recording reflection
goal that is set to improve on this skill by encouraging discussion within the group of each of our
ideas, thoughts and options individually to collectively make decisions as a team.
You can find out more about reflective practice in the Developing Meta-skills course on SQA Academy.

Once you have defined your goals and planned your actions/strategies for developing meta-
skills, it is important to monitor and reflect on your progress.

There are lots of ways to approach reflective practice. This might include:

For each development goal you need to keep a record of all the actions and activities that you
think have helped you to achieve that goal and reflect on their impact.

You can use the sections over the page to help you do this. This will include planned actions and
activities, but also unplanned or unanticipated activities, which often offer valuable opportunities
for self-development and reflection. In addition to recording actions and activities, you can also
use the section over the page to keep track of how and where you have reflected - i.e. a voice
note, annotations attached to a particular assessment, a reassessment of your meta-skills.

Save or record your reflections in your files as assessment evidence.

Record of actions and reflections

Development Goal 1:
What actions, activities,
strategies or experiences have Have you reflected on these actions/activities yet? If so, where have you
you taken to reach this goal? recorded this reflection?

Development Goal 2:
What actions, activities,
strategies or experiences have Have you reflected on these actions/activities yet? If so, where have you
you taken to reach this goal? recorded this reflection?

Development Goal 3:
What actions, activities,
strategies or experiences have Have you reflected on these actions/activities yet? If so, where have you
you taken to reach this goal? recorded this reflection?
Remember, you only need to complete this page if you have set more than three development goals.

Development Goal 4:
What actions, activities,
strategies or experiences have Have you reflected on these actions/activities yet? If so, where have you
you taken to reach this goal? recorded this reflection?

Development Goal 5:
What actions, activities,
strategies or experiences have Have you reflected on these actions/activities yet? If so, where have you
you taken to reach this goal? recorded this reflection?
Reflective self-assessment
As part of your reflective practice, it can be useful to reflect upon your baseline self-assessment
and how you rated your meta-skills. This can be done at the mid-point of the course and
towards the end. What progress do you see?
Mid-point review End-point review
Self-management Self-management

Focusing Rate yourself from 1-8 Focusing Rate yourself from 1-8
Integrity Rate yourself from 1-8 Integrity Rate yourself from 1-8
Adapting Rate yourself from 1-8 Adapting Rate yourself from 1-8

Initiative Rate yourself from 1-8 Initiative Rate yourself from 1-8

Social Intelligence Social Intelligence

Leading Rate yourself from 1-8 Leading Rate yourself from 1-8
Collaborating Rate yourself from 1-8 Collaborating Rate yourself from 1-8
Feeling Rate yourself from 1-8 Feeling Rate yourself from 1-8
Communicating Rate yourself from 1-8 Communicating Rate yourself from 1-8

Innovation Innovation

Curiosity Rate yourself from 1-8 Curiosity Rate yourself from 1-8

Creativity Rate yourself from 1-8 Creativity Rate yourself from 1-8

Sense-making Rate yourself from 1-8 Sense-making Rate yourself from 1-8

Critical Thinking Rate yourself from 1-8 Critical Thinking Rate yourself from 1-8

Before the end of the course, consider reflecting on your overall engagement with meta-skills
and how that engagement might affect your future learning. You can use the prompts below to
help.
• How have I progressed with my target meta-skills? Have I developed other meta-skills along the way?
• Have my action plan or strategies helped me towards my goals? Have I faced barriers?
• How might these meta-skills benefit my future? Can I continue to progress any particular meta-skills?