Personal Development Reviews: Difference between revisions

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updated in line with new PDR template (July 2026)
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* identify what you want to develop
* identify what you want to develop
* agree support with your manager.  
* agree support with your manager.  
These reviews do not replace 1-1s but should be referred to and inform 1-1 meetings. They are not a performance management tool.
These reviews do not replace 1-1s but should be referred to and inform 1-1 meetings.  
 
They are not a performance management tool.


== Procedure ==
== Procedure ==

Revision as of 15:08, 14 July 2026

Purpose

The purpose of the Personal Development Review (PDR) is to provide a space for you to:

  • reflect on your role
  • share what’s going well
  • identify what you want to develop
  • agree support with your manager.

These reviews do not replace 1-1s but should be referred to and inform 1-1 meetings.

They are not a performance management tool.

Procedure

PDRs take place every 6 months. At each review meeting the date for the next one is set (in 6 months, unless a shorter time is agreed to be helpful).

  • Before the meeting, you should:
    • spend some time reflecting on the questions asked and on how you feel you are doing in your role.
    • complete the sections in advance, so that the conversation can focus on what matters to you.
    • reflect on whether and how you have achieved your objectives set in your last review.
    • think about how you would like to develop over the next six months.
  • Before the meeting, the line manager should:
    • review the objectives set at the last meeting.
    • reflect on things from the past six months that should be celebrated.
    • consider what kind of learning opportunities could be helpful or relevant for their staff member.
  • At the meeting:
    • you will discuss the questions below with your manager and agree on the objectives. This is a two-way conversation.
  • After the meeting, your line manager will:
    • add their feedback.
    • upload this document to your staff record.
    • follow up on any agreed actions with you

Objectives and questions

1 Looking Back

  • What are you most proud of from this period?
  • What has been challenging, and how have you navigated it?
  • Is there anything from this period that is still affecting you or that you'd like support with?

2 Wellbeing and Support

  • How are you doing, generally? How have you been feeling about work?
  • Is there anything Handcrafted or your line manager can do to better support you?

3 Role and Development

  • Which areas of your role do you feel most confident in right now?
  • Which areas would you like to develop or feel more confident in?

4 Learning

  • What learning have you engaged in this period?
  • What has it changed or strengthened in your practice?
  • Is there any training or learning you’d like to pursue in the next six months?

5 Focus for the Next Period

  • You will set 3 objectives or focus areas. And share how you will know if you're making progress.

6 & 7

Finally, there is time to share any other thoughts, ideas, hopes or things that didn't easily fit into the above questions. And a space for your manager to capture their observations from the last 6 months and any commitments made or actions to follow up.