This unit introduces the core behaviours for people professionals, focusing on ethical practice, professional values and professional development. It considers how certain ways of thinking and acting should be universally consistent, even in new and challenging situations, to promote inclusivity and respect in the organisation.
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Your 3CO03 assignment questions will closely follow these assessment criteria. Here's what the marker is looking for in each one.
Cover the definition of 'ethical principles' and 'professional values'. Explain the importance of maintaining and applying ethical codes within a working environment and the potential consequences of unethical behaviour to personal and professional integrity. Show how professional values underpin and inform behaviour at work. The marker wants you to demonstrate that ethics and values are not just abstract concepts — they directly shape how people professionals should act every day.
Cover awareness of how to act consistently within the boundaries of the law and codes of practice. Identify the specific ways in which you demonstrate conformity and consistency with relevant regulation and law. The marker wants concrete, personal examples — not general descriptions. This AC requires you to relate the content to your own practice.
For contributing views: cover speaking calmly and clearly, using supporting facts, ensuring others understand your views, explaining differently when confusion arises, and accepting differing viewpoints as information rather than criticism. For clarifying problems: cover listening skills, checking other opinions, checking details and facts, the role of assumptions, and reflecting understanding. For teamworking: cover valuing difference, demonstrating respect and empathy, and models of team development. The marker wants practical, applicable summaries — not vague ideals.
Cover approaches to maintaining and promoting curiosity: questioning, formal and informal investigation, keeping up to date through professional journals, blogs, news feeds, books, and articles, and keeping in touch with competitor activity. The marker wants practical, actionable recommendations that show you understand the importance of continuous professional curiosity.
Cover why people professionals need to develop, record, and reflect on their practice. Include the concept of continuous professional development (CPD), ways of identifying and prioritising learning needs, the importance of reflecting on your own L&D activity and evaluating how it impacts your behaviour, and approaches for maintaining professional CPD records. The marker wants evidence of actual engagement with CPD — not just a description of what it is.
Explore the other units in the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice.
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