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SSSC CPL+ January 2026
This badge is awarded to people who successfully complete SSSC CPL+ activity in January 2026. Participants in the CPL+ programme demonstrate commitment to their professional development.
This Open Badge recognises your commitment to professional learning and development in social services. It’s available to anyone working in the sector in Scotland, whether you’re registered with SSSC or not.
What is CPL+?
CPL+ is a voluntary programme that allows you to gain recognition for your learning through Open Badges. Each month, you can apply for a badge by reflecting on any recent learning experience of your choice – whether that’s a training course, a workshop, independent reading or learning from colleagues.
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply for CPL+ badges. If you’re registered with SSSC, these badges can count towards your annual Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) requirement, but they’re not mandatory. You might choose to pursue CPL+ badges because you value having recognition of your learning, or because the structured reflection process helps you think more about your professional development.
Building your learning portfolio
You can apply for one CPL+ badge each month, allowing you to build a comprehensive learning portfolio throughout the year. Each badge you earn demonstrates your initiative, adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement in social services.
If you haven’t applied for a CPL+ badge before, start with our introductory tutorial tutorial to familiarise yourself with the process and get the most out of these badges.
You can download a handout with the slides and notes from the presentation. There is also an audio described version of the video.
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You must not use any generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to plan, write or improve your evidence for this badge.
To achieve this badge, you must:
- tell us about the topic you have chosen, how you learned about it and state the date(s) when you completed this learning (25 words minimum)
- explain why this learning activity is relevant to your professional development (50 words minimum)
- tell us about three things you learned and why each of these is important to (a) you and (b) people who use your service (150 words minimum)
- explain how you will apply what you’ve learned to improve the quality of care or support you provide in your day-to-day work (150 words minimum)
- reflect on how this learning experience has increased your confidence. (75 words minimum)
There is a maximum word count for this badge of 900 words.
To help write your submission, you can download a template with these questions in Open Document Format (ODT) and open it in a word processor like Microsoft Word, Open Office or Apple Pages.
Your application will be returned to you with a request for further evidence if it does not meet all the above criteria or is unclear which of these questions you are answering within your evidence.
This badge is open to anyone. However, you will need an SSSC registration number for this badge to count towards your annual CPL requirement.
You will need to submit a written statement of at least 450 but no more than 900 words in response to the questions asked in the criteria. You can write your statement directly on the badge application form or paste a link to your own blog or portfolio.
Remember to always write in the first person, using words like “I,” “me,” and “my” when talking about your learning and practice.
When preparing your evidence, consider the following guidance for each question:
Topic and learning activity (25 words minimum)
- Be specific about the topic you focused on.
- Explain how you learned about the topic (workshop, online course, book, webinar etc).
- Include the specific date(s) when you completed this learning.
Relevance to professional development (50 words minimum)
- Connect the learning to your current role or future career aspirations.
- Consider how this learning addresses any gaps in your knowledge or skills.
- Reflect on how this learning aligns with the needs of the individuals you support or your service area.
Three key learnings (150 words minimum)
- Be specific about each learning point, avoiding vague statements.
- For each point, explain its relevance to your professional practice.
- Describe how each learning point can directly benefit the individuals you support or improve your service delivery.
- Consider both immediate and long-term impacts of applying this learning.
Applying learning to improve care (150 words minimum)
- Provide concrete examples of how you’ll implement your learning in your role.
- Describe any changes you plan to make in your approaches or practices.
- Explain how these changes will lead to better outcomes for the people you support or improve your practice.
- Consider any potential challenges in applying your learning and how you’ll address them.
Reflection on increased confidence (75 words minimum)
- Describe how this learning has enhanced your understanding of the topic in relation to your role.
- Explain how this new knowledge or skill makes you feel more prepared for your responsibilities.
- Reflect on any aspects of your work that you now feel more capable of handling.
- Consider how this increased confidence might positively impact your interactions with colleagues and service users.
We will also accept an audio or video submission if you prefer.
The evidence you submit will be viewable by anyone who you show your badge to. Do not include confidential or private information within your submission.
Badge issuer
Scottish Social Services Council
Our work means the people of Scotland can count on social work, social care and children and young people services being provided by a trusted, skilled, confident and valued workforce.
Badge standards
Use of knowledge, research and evidence in practice
CPL core learning element for Social workers (including NQSW) and Care Inspectorate authorised officersKnowledge for your role
CPL core learning element for Social care and children and young people workforceSubmit your application
Terms and conditions
1. I have read, understood and completed all activities listed in the badge criteria. The evidence I have provided answers each question from the criteria.
2. I confirm that the evidence I have submitted is free from personally identifiable information of others. Nobody can be identified, directly or indirectly, from any examples I provide.
3. I confirm that I have not used generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to plan or write any of the evidence I have provided. This is my own original work and I have not copied it from anywhere or anyone else. I understand that all AI assistance is banned under the rules for Open Badge applications.
4. I give consent for the SSSC and the people I share this badge with to use plagiarism and AI detection tools to validate the authenticity of the evidence I have submitted.
5. I understand that it may take up to 28 days to assess my application and that feedback cannot always be provided if it is unsuccessful.
Your evidence, name, and email address will be sent to the organisation who issue this badge