What does CLD involve?

Across all areas

CLD is delivered in diverse settings and sectors, by practitioners with a wide variety of job titles and volunteer roles, working with people of all ages.    This includes (but is not necessarily limited to –

  • Community Development (building the capacity of communities to meet their own needs, engaging with and influencing decision makers);
  • Youth Work, family learning and other early intervention work with children, young people and families;
  • Community-based Adult Learning, including adult literacies and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL);
  • Learning for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the community, for example, people with disabilities, care leavers or offenders;
  • Working with individuals and communities to improve their health and wellbeing;
    Volunteer development;
  • Learning support and guidance in the community.

Looking at key contexts …

Adult Learning is…

Raising standards of achievement in learning for adults through community-based lifelong learning opportunities incorporating  the core skills of:  literacy, numeracy, communications, working with others, problem-solving, information communications technology (ICT)

More information about national community based adult learning policy can be found in the  Adult Learning Strategy 2022 -2027 on the Scottish Government website or at Learning Link Scotland, the national intermediary for voluntary sector adult learning organisations in Scotland.

Youth Work is…

Engaging with young people to facilitate their personal, social and educational development and enable them to gain a voice, influence and a place in society.

More information about national youth work policy, legislation, research, networks and practice can be found in the Working with young people, children and families section of the Education Scotland website and at YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work in Scotland.

Community Development / Building Community Capacity is…

Building community capacity and influence by enabling people to develop the confidence, understanding and skills required to influence decision making and service delivery.  More information about capacity building can be found in the section of the Scottish Government website dealing with community engagement/empowerment.

A useful guides to community development are available from the Community Development Alliance Scotland website.

CLD practice across diverse settings

Maintaining a standard of practice across settings means that participants experience consistency of practice based on common values whether they are involved in youth work activities, community based adult learning or building community capacity.

The Values, Code of Ethics and Competences, or aspects of them, also often inform the work of other practitioners, professions and individuals.

A key context for successful CLD is that it is planned for and delivered in partnership with all the main local stakeholders. Local partnerships will vary in membership depending on local needs and circumstances. Most CLD Partnerships have representation from local authorities, the police, FE colleges, health boards and the voluntary sector. This reflects the breadth of CLD’s contribution to developing lifelong learning opportunities, improving the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities and promoting safe and vibrant communities.