About Approvals

The Approval Suite

The Standards Council Approvals Suite is made up of the Developmental Approval route, the Professional Approval route and the Standards Council Standards Mark.

This suite has been created by the Standards Council in collaboration with the field to address the demand for quality assurance at all levels of learning.

The Developmental Approval route is for learning opportunities below degree level that have already been verified by the SQA.

The Professional Approval route is for learning opportunities at degree and post graduate level. The approval involves a significant written submission followed by a panel visit to the provider.

The Standards Council Standards Mark has been developed to recognise the quality of CLD learning opportunities provided to CLD staff by their employer. The Standards Mark looks at the whole range of learning opportunities offered, not one specific programme, as well as the learning culture of the organisation.

The aims and objectives of Approval

  • To maintain and enhance the quality of existing learning, where appropriate, in line with stated standards of competence
  • To ensure comparability of learning standards
  • To provide a national system of mutual recognition and transferability of an individual’s qualifications
  • To enhance learning provision through co-operation, networking and collaboration between participating bodies
  • To enhance the effectiveness and range of learning opportunities
  • To enhance the status of Community Learning and Development

The Committee

Garry Cameron, Chair of the Approval Committee 2009 – 2012, explains the purpose and impact of the committee’s work here:

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The work of the Standards Council Approval Committee builds on the work of the former Community Education Validation and Endorsement Committee.