CLDSC Members’ Bulletin – 22 April 2020

Work continues for the CLD Standards Council and we have a virtual Committee meeting planned for next week. We are also still processing registrations and registration renewals online and by email, so this might be an ideal time to look out that certificate from the attic or get some Professional Learning done online – see the free classes item below.


CLD practitioners rise to the COVID 19 challenge

The 163 replies to “wave 1” of the CLDSC survey of the CLD response to COVID19 provide a fantastic demonstration of how CLD practitioners across the country are rising to the challenge. A huge thank you to everyone who took part.

From working with communities to coordinate the work of volunteers, to hands-on roles, CLD practitioners are playing a vital role in ensuring supplies of food and other essentials to people who are isolated or at risk of harm; they are providing learning opportunities for young people, adults and families; they are keeping people of all ages in touch and connected, online, by phone and in person where appropriate and possible; they are ensuring that ESOL learners have access to COVID19 related information while continuing to support their learning. CLD practitioners across all roles – adult learning, youth work and community development – are supporting community, family and individual resilience in a multitude of ways.

Some responses also suggest that not all employers are deploying their CLD practitioners to the best advantage. Some practitioners may be taking on duties where there is additional risk. These are issues that the CLDSC will explore further.

Many thanks to CLDSC members and others for responding to the survey and providing a wealth of information. We will be feeding back to you in detail, and using the information to highlight to decision-makers the essential role that CLD practitioners are playing – and the support that you deserve.

We will be launching wave 2 of the survey early in May. We are seeking to reach as many CLD practitioners as possible, both members of the CLDSC and non-members. Whether you responded to wave 1 or not, please take the time to contribute to wave 2, and pass the survey on to colleagues: the information you are providing will be important for the healthy future of CLD that is needed.


EPALE Interviews with adult education providers and professionals from across the UK.

During their Upskilling Pathways: Implications for the Adult Learning Workforce 2019 conference EPALE recorded interviews with a range of adult learning professionals, including our own Dr Marion Allison. The interviews are now available to watch online –
https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/blog/upskilling-pathways-epale-uk-2019-conference-interviews

Free classes in online safety

Lead Scotland are hosting classes on Zoom over the next few months to help people to use the internet confidently and safely during COVID-19. Everyone is welcome to attend.
In these webinars, you’ll cover ways you can help support others to be safe online during the Coronavirus. Each webinar will give the same advice so you only need to attend one.
For more info: https://www.lead.org.uk/covid-19-information/

Informing funders about the needs of community organisations

The Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) is exploring what funders can do to assist community organisations as they cope with the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. Initial results of their of the views of community groups are here:
https://www.scdc.org.uk/news/article/2020/3/23/what-community-organisations-are-telling-us-about-their-covid-19-responses


The only ways is Ethics …

We are currently refreshing the Ethical Practice Competent Practitioners Learning Resource and are looking for additional materials to complement it, such as case studies/examples of the ethics being used in practice. It doesn’t have to be in the form of a poem like the one below which makes reference to the CLD competences, values and ethics but it could be!
Please send anything you think might be relevant to contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk

Courtesy of John Harkins and the University of the West of Scotland –

C.L.D. by John Harkins
Achieving good CLD competency,  
Is the goal for all students just like you and me.  
Working with communities can be real demanding,  
It helps to have knowledge and a good understanding. 
Build good relationships, rally the troops, 
Empowering people, individuals and groups.  
Self-determination for communities, really is great, 
Bring citizens together and help facilitate.  
Projects and programmes, equal and diverse, 
You should know the values, by chapter and verse. 
In a leadership role, you can develop and support, 
Mind you'll probably be asked to produce a report.  
Collaborative joint working deserves a wee mention,  
Remember partnerships can foster conflict and tension. 
Remove barriers to learning whatever your location,  
Opportunities and benefits for lifelong education.  
Using theorists and quotes can make you sound eloquent,  
In a wide range of contexts in learning and development. 
Evidence based practice should be the norm, 
Research, analyse, evaluate and inform.  
Yes 3rd year is over, you should be well read, 
Update your CV with a BA in Com Ed. 
Returning in September, might give you the fear, 
Hard work to gain Honours, in the 4th year. 
Now you've developed your practice to critically reflect,
 What type of practitioners can communities expect?  
y own personal view... They'll get some of the best, 
The students from Lanarkshire’s… UWS.