Happy Christmas and Festive Best Wishes from the CLD Standards Council Staff Team ??
Top (left to right): Grant, Kirsty, Marion, Steven, Ruth Bottom: (left to right): Susie, Ross, Vikki, Robbie & Yogi, Lorna
The CLD Standards Council office will be closed for the festive break from Wednesday 28 December and will reopen on Wednesday 4th January 2022.
We look forward to seeing you all in 2023 ?
Christmas Message from Dr Marion Allison, Director, CLD Standards Council Scotland
Winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, when the northern hemisphere is furthest away from the sun. That time of year when we think about what has gone before and look forward to brighter days ahead.
The CLD Standards Council has much to reflect upon this year and the resourcefulness of the sector remains unrivalled. Members continue to rise to the challenge of change. From managing the COVID recovery (yes, it’s still a thing), to supporting Ukrainian refugees and challenging the cost of living crises (sadly, there is more than one). Members regularly share examples work such as heat banks with adult learning provision, youth club budgeting initiatives and mental health community projects.
Against a backdrop of budget restrictions and major national policy reviews, the collective voice of CLD Standards Council members are heard. Representation of CLD practitioners across all parts of our sector have been key in shaping thought pieces such as our micro-credentials paper and leading consultation responses to education, skills, assessment, mental health and workforce reform.
Advocating for the CLD sector has been welcomed by partners at Scottish Government, COSLA, the Scottish Education Council, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and so many more. It remains essential to collaborate, challenge, support and bring about change for young people, learners and communities.
For Members, we were delighted to see CLD workforce development embedded into the Adult Learning Strategy for Scotland. This work commenced by strengthening the digital aspect of the CLD competences, the launch of the CLD Standards Council induction programme and the development of adult learning national occupational standards and the review of others.
For the team it’s been also been a year of change. From the reappointment of our Chair, Mr Alan Sherry O.B.E., to the appointment of Robbie Crow, Vikki Carpenter, Ross Martin and Steven McLennan as new members of the team. Together with Susie Bisset, Grant Garrett, Kirsty Gemmell, Lorna Renton, Ruth Washbrook they work tirelessly, with passion with and for Members all year long and I cannot thank them enough.
However, no progress would be possible without the dedicated members of the CLD Standards Council. Partners agencies, committee members, meet-up participants, conference attendees, consultation respondents, every single person who engages in our work is a much needed proponent of the CLD values and competences. My heartfelt thanks goes to you all.
So whilst we anticipate the return of sunlight, and here’s to 2023 for CLD! I hope you all take time out for your own relaxation and reflection and wish you all peace, joy and light.
Brrrr ?⛄. It is a winter wonderland for most of us at the moment and we hope you are all keeping safe and warm ?
Annual Member Lecture and Conference 2022 – Evaluation
Don’t forget to complete your Conference Evaluation if you attended online or in person. We’re keen to get your views on what worked and what we can do better next time!
All materials from the event will be available on an i-develop space soon – we’re just waiting for the tech folks to work their magic with the videos!
Cost of Living Crisis Members Meet-up
Thanks to those of you who came along last week to give us some insight into how the Cost of Living Crisis is affecting CLD. We had lots of great feedback but it’s not too late – if you’d like to tell us how the crisis is affecting you, your learners, or your organisation please get in touch with us at contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk and we’ll add your feedback in.
Come and join us for a members Christmas ? get together and blether.
It’s an opportunity for us to get together, don our finest Christmas jumpers if we have them, and share some time together before the festivities begin.
There may even be a quick quiz if you’re lucky – Ho, Ho, Ho…! ? (Mince pies and mulled wine optional)
Work is continuing on the reviews of Community Development and Family Learning NOS, alongside the creation of a new suite of NOS for Adult Learning.
So far, over 130 stakeholders (practitioners, training providers, employers and more) have taken part in focus groups across the UK. But we still want to hear more!
From January – March 2023, we’d appreciate it if you can spare some time to get involved. Here’s what’s coming up:
Adult Learning
The second round focus group for Scotland is being held on Friday, 13 January 2023, 1pm-3.30pm.
This will be followed up by an online survey which will bring together feedback from the two rounds of focus groups and allow a final chance for input to the creation process.
A sector feedback session has been scheduled for 27 February 2023, 10am-12pm where stakeholders from all nations will be updated on how feedback gathered through focus groups and surveys has informed the creation of the NOS.
An online survey which brings together feedback from the two rounds of focus groups and the short Purpose and Values survey, will be open for two weeks from 23 January 2023. Watch this space for the link!
A sector feedback session has been scheduled for 2 March 2023, 10am-12pm where stakeholders from all nations will be updated on how feedback gathered through focus groups and surveys has informed the revisions to the NOS.
This will be followed up by an online survey which will bring together feedback from the two rounds of focus groups and allow a final chance for input to the review process.
A sector feedback session has been scheduled for 24 February 2023, 10am-12pm where stakeholders from all nations will be updated on how feedback gathered through focus groups and surveys has informed the revisions to the NOS.
All information about the NOS reviews is available on our NOS webpage.
Have Your Say Update for 2022
As a member of the CLD Standards Council we value your voice and we like to hear it!
We are committed to supporting the development of policy and research that impacts you, our members, as well as the learners and communities that we work in across Scotland.
The nominations for YouthLink Scotland’s National Youth Work Awards are now open! The National Youth Work Awards celebrates youth work and the youth workers who make a difference every year in the lives of young people. The awards are a mixture of universal, targeted and specialist youth work provision.
Community-led health is a way of improving health and wellbeing that starts with what people say is important to them. It supports communities experiencing disadvantage and poor health to identify what they find important, and to take the lead in developing solutions. Visit Scottish Community Development Centre’s (SCDC) website to find out more on Community Health Exchange (CHEX).
The Parish Online tool, which is already used widely across England and Wales, has been adapted for Scotland and will be useful in enabling communities to easily create Local Place Plans. It could also be a useful way for community groups to engage with their citizens and highlight specific areas of interest or concern in their local areas.
SCVO are continuing to update information, news and resources on their #RunningCostsCrisis hub. It’s a worrying time, but remember that their team is there to provide practical support and to help individuals, families and communities.
International Association for Community Development (IACD) is committed to the continued promotion and development of the Standards as a key resource for community development as a global discipline. They would like your views on what would make them work better for you, as well as help to promote the Standards, share experiences of using them and develop the support they provide to community development practice and education.
Celebrating community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality. Organised by the Scottish Civic Trust, with the support of the Scottish Government, the My Place Awards are open to community-led built environment projects in Scotland. Closing date is 12 February.
CLD Standards Council Annual Lecture and Conference – Were you there?
A huge and sincere ‘Thank You’ to every one of you who joined us in Edinburgh on 1st December and 2nd December at the John McIntyre Centre.
On Thursday evening Professor Ken Muir delivered the Christmas Lecture, ‘Making a Lifelong Learning Curriculum in Scotland a Reality’.
Alan Sherry OBE, CLD Standards Council Chair (far left) with Professor Ken Muir (near left).
On Friday we had the full day CLD Standards Council Members Conference introduced by our Chair, Alan Sherry OBE and Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Youth Employment and Training.
The day included a keynote from Sara Thiam from the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) and interactive workshops (see below).
Don’t know about you but the CLD Standards Council team had a blast! It was just superb to see so many of you in person, catch up properly in the reconnections sessions or just blether over a cuppa!
Thanks also to those far and wide who joined online for the lecture and keynote. Vikki and Steven enjoyed posing your questions as well as getting chat with those of you who could not attend in person.
Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Youth Employment and Training introduces the conference and welcomes delegates
Recordings of the key-note speeches will be available on-i-develop soon along with slides from the presentations and workshops.
Did you share your thoughts about CLD with CLD Talks? We will be sharing those vox pops soon too, so keep an eye on the members bulletin.
Delegates at the CLD Standards Council Conference
Conference Workshops
Professional Learning for you from CLD Standards Council and Education Scotland
The CLD Standards Council are currently reviewing the Community Development & Family Learning NOS and creating a brand new Adult Learning NOS. Kirsty & Steven ran three sessions asking practitioners, “How do you currently use National Occupational Standards in your workplace”, “How else could you use National Occupational Standards” and “What support do you need from the CLD Standards Council”. Looking at existing functional maps that make up the current standards, we gave a brief overview of their importance and “why NOS matter”. In Scotland the National Occupational Standards form a key part in the development of SVQs (Scottish Vocational Qualifications) which was of interest to some of the students and participants in the session.
If you haven’t yet managed to feed into the National Occupational Standards consultations, there’s still time – please look at our dedicated NOS I-develop page where you can find our more information on how to get involved.
CLD Plans Workforce Development – What’s in it for you?
Vikki and Grant delivered this workshop on the 32 regional CLD Plans, with a specific lens on the workforce development sections within the plans. It was really interesting to take time to review and note the variation, as well as give participants time to reflect and discuss how their CLD plan does or could support them as practitioners and as a CLD workforce. Viewing them as a tool, and as something that belongs to every practitioner in that area, changed our perspectives on the plans and how we could use them personally, organisationally, regionally and nationwide. A phenomenal number of interesting “Pledges” were made by participants regarding how to use their plans moving forward…… We are excited to see what happens next!
Supporting the Voluntary Workforce in CLD
Sarah Latto from Volunteer Scotland delivered an interactive and interesting workshop, exploring the relationship between volunteering and CLD, and how CLD practitioners can ensure that volunteers have a positive experience. Participants took a dive into current context that affects volunteering, particularly the ongoing recovery from Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis.
Sustainability – Global Citizens, Local Actions
Carolyn Wills from the West of Scotland Development Education Centre (WOSDEC) looked into how their centres support educators in CLD to promote global citizenship. Critical discussions were had around how global citizenship should be part of everyday life but with acknowledgement of the complexity of global issues and the importance of social justice both locally and globally to ensure we all have an ultimate goal of shaping a just and sustainable future for all.
Key Learning and Conference Feedback
What’s the key piece of learning you are taking away from #CLDSCConf2022?
Linking global competences to what we do
CLD plans and the need for more awareness of these ‘on the ground’ with local people
How closely linked CLD practice and volunteering are
Thinking about how we prepare practitioners for roles that are delivered differently
That our sector – the CLD family, is more powerful together
We are gathering evaluations right now so if you have not done so yet, please share your views via our conference survey.
In the evaluation we ask for you to “Share one word to describe the #CLDSCConf2022“. The word cloud below shows what we have been told so far:
And don’t forget to keep an eye out on upcoming bulletins for links to the recordings and presentations.
Whilst we are all busy doing last minute preparations for our CLD Standards Council Members Annual Lecture and Conference (Yes, it’s this week!) we have still been out, meeting with folk and talking all things CLD.
Marion and our Chair, Alan, had a productive meeting with senior civil servants to discuss support and promotion of the CLD sector in Scotland.
Steven and Kirsty, along with Laura Starkey and Nicola Sykes from Education Scotland CLD, met with managers from North Ayrshire Council and Highlife Highland to share practice around “Grow Your Own” CLD Practitioners. North Ayrshire gave an enthusiastic presentation on how they developed CLD career pathways using professional learning opportunities along with work-based learning to enrich the practitioners’ experiences, knowledge and skills.
Ross met with National Voluntary Youth Work Managers Scotland to talk about enhancing partnership links to best support staff and volunteers within CLD.
A number of members joined us this week when we met with Professor Alma Harris, one of the independent consultants working on the National Discussion for Scottish Education, and really positive, critical and impactful discussions were had. This session gave the research team a wider lens regarding the Scottish Education landscape and promoting the need for parity of esteem and equity among all professions working within life long and life wide learning across Scotland. We are now analysing all the data gathered from the previous two fabulous online sessions and are excited about the insightful and positive ideas and opinions given which will form our response on behalf of the CLD sector and our members.
Watch This Space and look out for next week’s bumper edition Conference Special ?
CLD Standards Council: Member Meet-up – December: Cost of Living Crisis, 8 December, 1pm
For our December Member Meet-up, we’ll be talking about the cost of living crisis. What effect is the crisis having on you, the learners you support, and the ways in which you support them?
We’re really keen to know if you’ve had to adapt what you do and how, as well as if the crisis as a whole is having a negative impact on participation in CLD services. Come along, tell us what you’re doing and how it’s affecting CLD in your area!
Take a look at this informative and interesting blog about ways in which people with lived experience have previously been meaningfully engaged in decision-making and/or policymaking processes.
Held on December 3, this annual event acknowledges and highlights the human rights of disabled people. The theme for this year is “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”. Can you get involved?
Celebrating their 50th anniversary and partnered with NHS 24 Breathing Space, the 50th Breathing Space bench in Scotland was unveiled. The Breathing Space Bench Initiative is about welcoming spaces, encouraging people to sit and take some breathing space, share a bit of time for listening and talking, reach out and show kindness and compassion.
Steven and Kirsty had a very heartening and productive meeting with Volunteer Scotland, discussing some of the critical issues regarding supporting CLD volunteers, specifically the processes and procedures needed to ensure safe and effective CLD volunteering opportunities across Scotland.
Everyone who is in anyway connected to the sphere of education is participating in the National Discussion on Scottish Education. The CLD Standards Council believes that the essential role of CLD and the views of our sector must be included to influence real change for our learners, communities and young people.
This week Vikki hosted two “Have your Say” sessions and a huge thank you to all who came along. There were some very rich, varied and interesting discussions and there is still time for you to contribute. Join us and discuss directly with Professor Alma Harris next week – you can register below.
CLD Standards Council: Have Your Say: National Discussion on Scottish Education, 28 November, 12.30pm
Last chance to join us on 28 November at 12.30pm to discuss the critical role CLD has within Scottish Education for learners of all ages in the future.
Join our final “Have Your Say” session and discuss directly with Professor Alma Harris.
Our consultations on the three NOS projects have had input from over 100 people so far, but we want more! Share your views by joining one of the upcoming focus groups:
CLD Standards Council: Member Meet-up – December: Cost of Living Crisis, 8 December, 1pm
For our December Member Meet-up, we’ll be talking about the cost of living crisis. What effect is the crisis having on you, the learners you support, and the ways in which you support them?
We’re really keen to know if you’ve had to adapt what you do and how, as well as if the crisis as a whole is having a negative impact on participation in CLD services. Come along, tell us what you’re doing and how it’s affecting CLD in your area!
#CoProWeekScot22. Bringing people together to share ideas, learning and stories about how co-production puts people and communities at the heart of the support and services they’re part of, exploring how to put co-production into practice.
Scottish Recovery Network “Let’s do Peer Group Facilitation” guides have been co-designed with people already delivering or about to deliver their own peer support groups.
At the Scottish Refugee Council buildings, Wednesday, 7th December, 10am-12 Noon. Speakers and representatives from SURF, CLD Standards Council, BEMIS, SCDC, Marie Curie, Scottish Refugee Council, SCDN, CLDMS and lots more! Email cdascotland@gmail.com to register.
Becoming an Anti-Racist Adult Education Practitioner Podcast. An anti- racist practitioner is one who creates safe spaces in classrooms to discuss and interrogate racism. This podcast centres around the in-conversation piece held between Dr Stephen Brookfield and Lilian Nwanze during part 2 of the Community Education Webinar Series: Becoming an Anti-racist Adult Education Practitioner.
Much excitement within the team this week as we are busy bees planning and developing the CLD Standards Council’s Annual Conference (1 & 2 Dec). Registration to attend in person has now closed, but you can still register to attend online – see article below to register.
Working Together for CLD Fantastic meet up with our CLD colleagues from Education Scotland CLD team and HMI CLD team, with important discussions around Education Reform, CLD Regulations Review, Professional Learning & Leadership and CLD Plans, and of course plenty of tea, coffee and cake to go round!
CLD Standards Council Staff Team, Education Scotland CLD Team and HMI CLD Team met in person and online
CLD Standards Council – Annual Lecture and Conference, Edinburgh, 1-2 December 2022
Registration for in person attendance is now closed and we are working on finalising workshops. However, if you’d like to join us online for the Lecture and/or the Conference, there’s still time to register here!
Please join us – it’s all about you and it’s a belter ?
Remember it’s free ? and don’t forget to follow and comment on Twitter #CLDSCConf2022.
CLD Standards Council: Have Your Say: National Discussion on Scottish Education, 18 November
As CLD Practitioners across Scotland we want your thoughts to form a CLD Standards Council Members response. It is critical that CLD helps develop a vision for the future of education in Scotland. What kind of education, skills, knowledge and support do you think learners of all ages will need 20 years from now?
Education doesn’t just happen in school so join our sessions and have your say! Register on EventBrite for one of the two sessions below:
Leading CLD Professional Learning Opportunity – registration open
The next round of this programme, which was co-designed with CLD leaders from across Scotland, will begin in January 2023. It is facilitated in partnership with Education Scotland, CLD Standards Council, further education and national organisations and local authority CLD leaders and is designed to build confidence in CLD leadership.
The target participant group for this round is senior local authority managers responsible for CLD services, who have identified CLD leadership as an area for professional development. (This includes managers with no, or little previous experience of CLD; and those interested in developing their leadership capital and professional network).
Find out more about the Leading CLD Course and how to apply. The application deadline is 1 December 2022.
National Occupational Standards (NOS)
Our work on the three NOS projects is gathering momentum. The views of practitioners, employers and training providers have been gathered through a series of focus groups across the UK. Further opportunities are available to get involved in the next round of focus groups over December 2022/January 2023. Read on for some of the emerging themes so far:
Community Development Review
Reaffirm the purpose and values of community development practice
Pay attention to how the standards reflect the values of community development
Consider the inclusion of climate justice and emphasising community development for social change
You can also contribute via the online survey which will open in January – keep an eye on the Member Bulletin for details in the new year.
CLD Standards Council Executive Committee – Recruitment Extended
The CLD Standards Council supports practitioners to bring to the fore their professional values, ethics and competence when working with young people, communities and learners. To enable us to do this effectively we are now recruiting for 4 new members of the CLD Standards Council Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee has a key role in setting and developing the strategic direction for the CLD Standards Council and seeks to build the capacity of the organisation to act in a responsive, accountable and effective way. The Executive Committee provides advice and support to the Chairperson, and is in a position to offer constructive challenge to the operations of the organisation, providing both the Director of the CLD Standards Council and other key stakeholders, such as Education Scotland and Scottish Government, with an independent perspective.
The closing date for applications has been extended to Friday, 9th December 2022.
Further information on the work of the CLD Standards Council can be found by visiting our website at www.cldstandardscouncil.org.uk or by following us on Twitter @cldstandards.
Education Scotland, in partnership with Fife Professional Learning and Leadership Continuum, are offering this accredited coaching programme with a focus on self-care and wellbeing. Register your interest as deadline for applications is 21st Nov 2022.
Simon Community Scotland has launched its emergency Winter Crisis Appeal 2022 to help provide support following a huge increase in demand for its services, looking for donations to help provide Crisis Packs for people struggling amid the cost of living crisis.
YouthLink, in partnership with Education Scotland and the Scottish Government we are now excited to offer an online learning opportunity “The Realising and Recognising Children’s Rights (RRCR)” Youth Work Resource.
Socioeconomic factors play a critical role in influencing health and health inequalities. Fraser of Allander Institute has published new research examining what’s happened to key socioeconomic determinants of health in Scotland in recent decades.
CLD Standards Council – Annual Lecture and Conference, Edinburgh, 1-2 December 2022
If you are planning to attend the CLD Standards Council Annual Lecture and Conference in person, the closing date for registration is 11th November 2022.
Sign up to get involved in the workshops – these will not be available virtually, so if you want to find out more about Scotland’s Volunteering Action Plan, how CLD Plans focus on your professional development, what learning and development opportunities are on offer, and much more – sign up to attend in person.
Remember it’s free ? and don’t forget to follow and comment on Twitter #CLDSCConf2022.
It’s been another week jam packed with exciting events and conversations as we’ve been out and about again this week.
Vikki, along with Laura Starkey of Education Scotland CLD team, met the Highlands CLD Strategic Partnership, at UHI in Inverness to discuss benefits of membership as well as using the CLD competences framework as a practitioner tool.
Marion and Steven were at Edinburgh University, meeting first year Learning in Communities students to talk about the values, ethics and competences, membership benefits as well as the future of work and Meta Skills and what does this mean for CLD and how it might affect their practice.
Ross visited Sheena Watson, previous Approvals Committee chairperson, in sunny Anstruther to discuss CLD Standards Council committees as well as visiting Tayside and Fife Network to look at workforce development plans.
It’s Youth Work Week and Marion and Kirsty attended the Youthlink Scotland Conference, Tackling Poverty: The Power of Youth Work to Change Lives. Check out #YLSConf22 for trends from the event. Fantastic speakers and workshops, with the commitment to creating a fairer, safer and healthier Scotland for young people palpable from all involved.
The CLD Standards Council stall in the market place was busy with CLD:Youth Work practitioners asking about how to register, the benefits of membership and how to get more involved in CLD Standards Council work. #RanOutOfPurpleBags!
CLD Standards Council: Have Your Say: Improving gender balance and equalities within the CLD sector, 11 November, 12.30-1.30pm
Final chance to sign up and reserve your space to join us to review these new resources for Improving Gender Balance and Equalities in CLD.
CLD Standards Council: Have Your Say: National Discussion on Scottish Education, 18 November
Have your voice heard and help develop a vision for the future of education in Scotland. What kind of education, skills, knowledge and support do you think learners of all ages will need 20 years from now? Education doesn’t just happen in school so join our sessions and have your say!
Register on EventBrite for one of the two sessions below:
CLD Standards Council: Member Meet-up – December: Cost of Living Crisis, 8 December, 1pm
This month we’ll be talking about the cost of living crisis at our member meet-up. What effect is the crisis having on you, the learners you support, and the ways in which you support them?
We’re really keen to know if you’ve had to adapt what you do and how, as well as if the crisis as a whole is having a negative impact on participation in CLD services. Come along, tell us what you’re doing and how it’s affecting CLD in your area!
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation have conducted what they believe to be the biggest poll so far of people in Scotland’s experiences of the current cost of living crisis, providing subsequent recommendations for tackling poverty to both the UK and Scottish Government. Click the link above to download the final report for this research that was published last month.
Running from Monday, 7th to Sunday, 13th November, Youth Work Week is our chance as a CLD sector to demonstrate just how powerful a force youth work is when it comes to improving the life chances of young people facing numerous inequalities. Each day YouthLink are highlighting a different area of Youth Work.
This professional learning resource aims to raise knowledge and awareness of United Nations Conventions of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The resource supports all CLD practitioners working with young people in a youth work or formal education setting. It could also be used to build the understanding of other CLD stakeholders for example CLD Partnerships, Community Planning Partnerships and elected members.
Celebrating the role of older women in work (as part of the latest update to their Age-positive image library), Aging Better UK have created the first free library showing positive and realistic images of over 50s in a bid to challenge negative and stereotypical views of older age. They also have a number of great icons which, along with the images, are free to use.
? National Discussion on Scottish Education member involvement planning ?? Congratulating graduating CLD students from Glasgow Kelvin College ? Meeting Learn North Consortium Members ? 4 National Occupational Standards Focus Groups ? 30 new Associate Members of the CLD Standards Council
Adult Learning National Occupational Standards (NOS) Focus Group – Monday, 7 November, 2pm-4.30pm
Next week, our focus shifts to Adult Learning in our National Occupational Standards (NOS) development work. Join us to get involved in the creation of a suite of NOS for Adult Learning relevant across the UK. This is a first for adult learning, so if you’re involved in delivering or managing adult learning, if you develop or deliver adult learning training qualifications for practitioners or if you employ adult learning staff, we want to hear from you!
CLD Standards Council – Annual Lecture and Conference, Edinburgh, 1-2 December 2022
If you are planning to attend the CLD Standards Council Annual Lecture and Conference in person, the closing date for registration is 11th November 2022.
Sign up to get involved in the workshops – these will not be available virtually, so if you want to find out more about Scotland’s Volunteering Action Plan, how CLD Plans focus on your professional development, what learning and development opportunities are on offer, and much more – sign up to attend in person.
Remember it’s free ? and don’t forget to follow and comment on Twitter #CLDSCConf2022.
CLD Standards Council: Have Your Say: Improving gender balance and equalities within the CLD sector, 11 November, 12.30-1.30pm
There is still time to sign up and reserve your space to join us on 11 November at 12.30pm for the review of these new resources for Improving Gender Balance and Equalities in CLD.
During this session, the Education Scotland CLD team will:
Introduce the draft resources
Seek your feedback on the draft data guide
Seek your feedback on the draft self-evaluation framework
CLD Standards Council Executive Committee – Recruitment Now Open
The CLD Standards Council supports practitioners to bring to the fore their professional values, ethics and competence when working with young people, communities and learners. To enable us to do this effectively we are now recruiting for 4 new members of the CLD Standards Council Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee has a key role in setting and developing the strategic direction for the CLD Standards Council and seeks to build the capacity of the organisation to act in a responsive, accountable and effective way. The Executive Committee provides advice and support to the Chairperson, is in a position to offer constructive challenge to the operations of the organisation and provide both the Director of the CLD Standards Council and other key stakeholders such as Education Scotland and Scottish Government with an independent perspective.
Find out more about our work on our website or by following us on Twitter @cldstandards.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 25th November 2022.
CLD Standards Council – Members Meet-up November: Competences and Supervision
What a wonderful attendance at this month’s members meet up and some really great ideas on how the CLD competences can be used as a tool to help and support practitioner development.
Our big discussion question:
How do you use the CLD competences within supervision?
If you have any thoughts or top tips as regards embedding competences in your practice, such as supervision, mentoring, project planning etc please get in touch at contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk.
ON NOW: Free online practitioner learning for CLD, organised by the regional professional learning networks, Education Scotland and CLD Standards Council. There are still spaces for this week’s events hosted by Learn North. #becauseofCLD.
This annual campaign aims to make sure that everyone feels comfortable with everyday maths. How can you support and promote “Number Confidence Week”? Visit the campaign hub, have a go at the National Numeracy Challenge, and promote it to others. Social Media: #NumberConfidenceWeek#becauseofCLD@Nat_numeracy@EdScotCLD.
The Scottish Government CLD Policy Unit and Education Scotland are gathering information in relation to ESOL across Scotland. They would like responses from local authority, college and voluntary organisations and would ask for one reply for each organisation. Responses required by Friday, 11th November 2022.
This small grants fund is to support small, local organisations to continue or extend digital inclusion activities with people at risk of death from a drug overdose and those who care about them and support them. Grants to a maximum of £10k for up to twelve-months are available for local voluntary and community organisations.
Understanding the views and priorities of Scotland’s diverse communities is fundamental to how Police Scotland responds to the needs of the public. Taking part in the #YourPolice survey helps shape the way communities are policed.
This day-long Glasgow conference on 11 November will celebrate and reflect on the New Scots refugee integration strategy and the New Scots Refugee Integration Delivery Project. The aim of the strategy is to ensure newcomers to Scotland live in safe and welcoming communities that enable them to rebuild their lives from the day they arrive in Scotland; and the delivery project supports the implementation and evaluation of the strategy and provides funding to over 50 initiatives designed to help New Scots settle in their new communities.
This week’s bulletin is all about you! Take a look and get involved in professional learning, networking and developmental opportunities.
We have been busy at the CLD Standards Council promoting all things CLD, with Robbie and Steven off to Glasgow University and University of West of Scotland welcoming student practitioners and encouraging them to register with CLD Standards Council as Associate Members. Ross has been catching up with YouthLink Scotland and the team have been focusing on developmental work such as the National Occupational Standards and the National Discussion on Scottish Education.
If you would like us to visit your organisation or partnership regarding CLD Standards Council membership, to give a talk on the CLD sector or perhaps engage with policy reviews please get in touch by emailing contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk.
CLD Standards Council Members Conference 2022 – Have you booked yet?
Annual Members Lecture – Thursday, 1st December (6pm-8pm) The speaker for this year’s Annual Members Lecture will be Professor Ken Muir who has been leading the review into Education Reform. Come along and hear the implications for CLD professionals, practice, policy and services.
Our Lecture and Conference are hybrid this year, but only the plenary sessions will be live-streamed. So, if you want to get involved in all the action, you need to come along in person to take part in the workshops!
And don’t forget to follow and comment on Twitter #CLDSCConf2022.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) – Adult Learning, Community Development and Family Learning
We Need YOU! NOS specify the standards of performance individuals must achieve in the workplace, together with the knowledge and understanding required for roles, for most employment sectors across the UK. National Occupational Standards can be used to complement the CLD Competences in reflecting on, developing and strengthening practice and are also used in the development of qualifications. Find out more on our NOS webpage.
We had 30 Community Development practitioners take part in the Scotland Focus Group this week. The next two weeks focus on the review of Family Learning NOS as well as creating a whole new suite of NOS for Adult Learning.
We need your expertise and input! Don’t miss out on being involved in this exciting developmental work for the CLD Sector.
CLD Standards Council – Member Meet-up November: How CLD Competences can impact Support and Supervision – 2 November, 1-2pm
Last chance to sign up to join us at the November Member Meet-up session on Tuesday, 2nd November at 1pm, to take a dive into the CLD competences and how they align and inform CLD practitioners work and professional learning.
CLD Standards Council: Have Your Say: Improving gender balance and equalities within the CLD sector: review and feedback on draft resources – 11 November, 12.30-1.30pm
Draft resources have been developed to support CLD providers to take a closer look at policies and practice in relation to gender equality.
Your feedback on these draft resources is important.
During this session you will have the opportunity to:
be introduced to the draft resources
take a closer look at, and give feedback on, the draft data guide
take a closer look at, and give feedback on, the draft self-evaluation framework
Our colleagues at Education Scotland send their sincere thanks for attending or showing interest in the recent webinars on “Responsive, supportive and resilient communities, a review of community development during the pandemic”.
Education Scotland plan to use content from the Padlet exercise from these webinars to help start the conversation about ‘planning for the future and next steps’. If you have not already offered a contribution, you can add to the Padlet.
Tomorrow (27th October) there are sessions targeted at strategic leaders. Sign up using the links below:
Following on, there is one last webinar that focusses on Partnership Working and Volunteering, with two interesting speakers from FC Sonas and Strathmore Cricket Club and their Community Café, who feature as a case studies in the report. They will share information about their work in more detail. If you’ve not already signed up, the link for the last session is below:
We will host our Annual Members Lecture on Thursday, 1st December (6-8pm) with the main Conference taking place on Friday, 2nd December (9.30am-4.30pm).
We are delighted to announce that the speaker for this year’s Annual Members Lecture will be Professor Ken Muir who has been leading the review into Education Reform. Come along and hear the implications for CLD professionals, practice, policy and services.
We will focus on how best to support and develop the CLD sector workforce – staff and volunteers alike. Sign up for the chance to consider broader issues affecting YOUR practice, take part in workshops highlighting professional learning available to YOU, and connect with YOUR peers from across Scotland.
This year we are holding a hybrid event with in-person delegates joining us at the John Macintyre Centre, Edinburgh, and online delegates joining our live streamed keynotes from both days.
And don’t forget to follow and comment on Twitter #CLDSCConf2022.
Closing date for registration is: Friday 11 November for in-person attendance and Monday 28 November for virtual attendance.
CLD Standards Council – Virtual Member Meet-up November: How CLD Competencies can impact Support and Supervision
Don’t forget to sign up to join us at the November members virtual meet-up session on 2nd November at 1pm to take a dive into the CLD competencies and how they align and inform CLD practitioners work and professional learning.
CLD Standards Council hears from the Bank of England
Last week our Director, Dr Marion Allison, attended a lecture by Huw Pill, the Chief Economist for the Bank of England at an event hosted by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI). In addition to monetary and fiscal policy updates, Mr Pill discussed labour market issues such as the recruitment and retention of staff. Keen to keep people central to policy Mr Pill, also highlighted the role of Citizens Panels.
Our members meet up in December will focus on the cost of living crisis and CLD’s response. Come along and tell us how it’s impacting upon your practice. Keep an eye on upcoming bulletins for registration details. If you have any examples (i.e. warm banks) please share these with us by emailing us at contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk.
CLD Standards Council: Have your Say: National Conversation on Scottish Education
We are asking all of you marvellous CLD practitioners out there to get involved to support all aspects of lifelong learning within this national discussion on Scottish education reform.
You can help spotlight the critical informal CLD learning being carried out across Scotland, as well as support and encourage ALL learners to have a voice.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:
“We want to bring the widest possible range of voices and views into the room. It is our children and young people who hold the biggest stake in our education system.”
She added that Professor Ken Muir, in his recent report, had:
“challenged all of us to work together to establish a consensual vision for education, which can genuinely put the learner at the centre”.
In November, we will be hosting some in person focus groups for CLD practitioners and we want you to bring your learners. We would also like to support you to ask your young people what they think and capture their views, especially the views of those marginalised, less heard and often not asked! You can take the survey yourself, and encourage your learners to do the same, or even host a group discussion.
Find out more about the National Discussion on Scottish Education and keep an eye on future bulletins for information on how you can sign up for a CLD Standards Council focus group discussion.
Wanted – New CLD Standards Council Executive Committee Members
The CLD Standards Council as a member led body needs you!
We have vacancies on the Executive Committee and we are looking for members who want to be at the core of influencing the CLD Standards Council approach and development. We are looking for members with experience of:
strategic leadership and planning of CLD services
HR and performance management
IT and digital activity
communications and marketing
business planning
The recruitment period will run from Monday 31 October until Friday 25 November. Further information on how to apply will be available in the coming weeks.
Youth Work Strategy
Mr Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, wrote to stakeholders earlier this week to provide a brief update on the publication of Scotland’s new Youth Work Strategy, due for publication later this year.
Highlights of the letter include confirmation that the strategy is on-track for publication by the end of the year and that Professor Rowena Arshad, Professor Emerita at Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh has been invited to convene a new Youth Work Strategy Review Group which will be co-chaired by two young people.
The Review Group will bring together people and organisations who have expertise in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and will have a focus on ensuring that EDI is fully embedded and becomes a central component of the strategy.
For young people who wish to be involved, and considered as possible co-chairs, the application deadline is tomorrow (Thursday, 20 October). Please email contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk for more information. We’ll keep members posted on any future developments on the new youth work strategy’s publication.
CLD Professional Learning Networks – Winter Learning Festival 2022-23
Each network area is leading on a week’s worth of learning between now and February 2023. All events are open to any CLD practitioner, regardless of where you practise.
Numeracy Champion Training – more places available!
National Numeracy is delighted to report that there was great take-up for the first training programme in September and is also fully-booked for the final programme in December!
However, there are a few places available on the middle two programmes. These were originally targeted at the South East Collaborative in Oct-Nov and the Tayside programme in Nov-Dec. However, as the ‘all regions’ programme in December is now already fully booked these two programmes are now open to CLD practitioners in all regions!
