Assessment of counselling skills development: The learning record

The RSA Certificate in Counselling Skills in the Development of Learning has emerged as a significant nationally validated course and award for staff working in post-compulsory education and training. The award encourages the uses of experiential learning and of self-assessment. The approach used to reflect on experience is the Learning Record, which is also the basis of, and mechanism for, assessment of the learner's progress. The precise nature of the Learning Record has however been unclear, since the form as well as the content is decided by the learner. Experience of approaches to the creation of Learning Records by Youth Training Scheme staff following this course suggests that they always include a diary or journal but that this may either be integral to, or separate from, the Learning Record itself. The form taken by the reflective and analytical element also varies, and the authors identify four main approaches to the creation of Learning Records adopted by learners. They suggest some principles underlying the successful compilation and use of Learning Records and commend this approach to organising reflection for experiential learning in staff training and development.