Author Archives: CLDSC Editor

CLD Standards Council Member Bulletin – 21 December 2022 – Christmas Edition

Happy Christmas and Festive Best Wishes from the CLD Standards Council Staff Team 🎅🎄

Images of CLD Standards Council staff with superimposed Christmas attire.
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.

Marion


CLD Standards Council Member Bulletin – 14 December 2022

News from the CLD Standards Council

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. 


CLD Standards Council: Member Meet-up – Christmas Blether, 22 December, 1pm

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)

Register for the Member Meet-Up Christmas Blether on Eventbrite


National Occupational Standards

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.

Register for the Adult Learning Scotland Session on 13 January at 1pm Eventbrite.

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.

Register for the Adult Learning All Nations Feedback Session on 27 February, at 10am on Eventbrite.

Community Development

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.  

Register for the Community Development All Nations Feedback Session on 2 March at 10am on Eventbrite.

Family Learning

The second round focus group for Scotland is being held on Wednesday, 18 January 2023, 3.30-5.30pm.

Register for the Family Learning Scotland Session on 18 January at 3.30pm on Eventbrite.

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.  

Register for the Family Learning All Nations Feedback Session on 24 February at 10am on Eventbrite

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. 

In 2022, through supporting members to have a voice by hosting focus groups, delivering surveys and facilitating ‘Have Your Say‘ sessions, we have made informed responses to consultations and policy developments such as The Adult Learning StrategyThe Youth Work StrategyThe National Improvement FrameworkMental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and National Discussion on Scottish Education.

We are currently delving deep into Skills Delivery Independent ReviewProfessor Haywards Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment, and Post School Education, Research and Skills consultation. Watch this space for 2023 so you can get involved and together we can continue to inform and support the continuing development of CLD sector in Scotland.


News from the CLD Sector

National Youth Work Awards 2023 Nominations – now open

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 SCDC – We believe communities matter

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).

New easy mapping tool to give communities a voice – Improvement Service

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.

Cost of living & the #RunningCostsCrisis

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 Standards for Community Development 

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.

The My Place Awards: Open For Entries

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 Member Bulletin – CLD Standards Council Scotland Conference Special Edition – 08 December 2022

CLD Standards Council Annual Lecture and Conference – Were you there?

Alan Sherry, OBE standards next to Professor Ken Muir under a large screening displaying 'CLD Standards Council Scotland - Making a Lifelong Learning Curriculum in Scotland a Reality'

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 stands between two large video screens in front of a lectern
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 sit round large round tables at the CLD Standards Council Conference
Delegates at the CLD Standards Council Conference

Conference Workshops

Professional Learning for you from CLD Standards Council and Education Scotland

Showcasing a variety of opportunities available to CLD Standards Council members, Education Scotland highlighted its opportunities in Supporting Workforce Wellbeing, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and Improving Gender Balance and Equalities, and participants were asked to contact Nicola Sykes at nicola.sykes@educationscotland.gov.uk if they’d like more information on Self-Evaluation for Continuous Improvement. Our CLD Standards Council Professional Induction Course and the Buddying and Mentoring offer available to members were also highlighted. 

National Occupational Standards

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. 

Potential Uses of NOS Diagram. Key outcomes underpinning knowledge link into Competency frameworks which link to Job descriptions / requirements, linking to individual performance and appraisal, linking to focused training and development, linking to career planning and progression, linking to qualifications and back to competency frameworks

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: 

Word cloud with the words: thought provoking, chicken-soup-for-the-soul, stimulating, chicken soup, beyond the rhetoric, informational, united workforce, lush, encouraging, action, networking, community, grounding, head space, exciting, interesting, face 2 face, challenging, interactive, family, informative, fabulous, together, restricted, fun, nice, interaction, power, enjoyable, helpful, cld, engaging, innovative, connected, friendly, magic, synergy, inspirational, supportive, engagement, social values, learning, well-organised

And don’t forget to keep an eye out on upcoming bulletins for links to the recordings and presentations.


CLD Standards Council Member Bulletin – 30 November 2022

News from the CLD Standards Council

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! 

Register for the December Member Meet-up on Eventbrite.


News from the CLD Sector

YouthLink Scotland

There are a number of online digital learning events available in December, as well as a digital conference next February.

Democratic Society

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. 

International Day of Disabled People

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?

Change Mental Health: 50th Anniversary

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.


CLD Standards Council Member Bulletin – 23 November 2022

News from the CLD Standards Council

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.

To register your interest please email contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk.


CLD Standards Council – Annual Lecture and Conference, Edinburgh, 1-2 December 2022 – last chance to register!

CLD Standards Council Scotland Member Conference 2022 Logo

There’s still time to join us online for the Lecture and/or Conference! Registration for online delegate attendance closes on Monday 28 November, so register to attend online for the Annual Lecture and Members Conference 2022.

Come along and hear the keynote speeches from:

  • Professor Ken Muir (Lecture – 1 December 2022),
  • Alan Sherry, Chair, CLD Standards Council (Conference – 2 December)
  • Sara Thiam, Chief Executive SCDI (Conference – 2 December).

If you can’t attend, why not follow and comment on Twitter #CLDSCConf2022


National Occupational Standards (NOS)

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:

Community Development Review
Tell us what you think about the Purpose and Values of Community Development by completing this short survey by 2 December, and why not 
register for the next Community Development NOS focus group on Monday, 5 December 2-4pm.

Adult Learning Creation
Register for the next Adult Learning NOS focus group on Friday, 13 January 2023 1-3.30pm

Family Learning Review
Register for the next Family Learning NOS focus group on Wednesday, 18 January 2023 3.30-5.30pm


CLD Standards Council: Member Meet-up – December: Cost of Living Crisis, 8 December, 1pm

CLD Standards Council Scotland Member Meet-up Logo

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! 

Register for the December Member Meet-up on Eventbrite.


News from the CLD Sector

Co-production Week Scotland, 21st – 25th November 2022 

#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.

Free Peer Group Facilitation Guides

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. 

CDAS Networking Event & AGM

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.

EPALE – The European Community of Adult Learning Professionals

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.


CLD Standards Council Member Bulletin – 16 November 2022

News from the CLD Standards Council

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!

Members of the CLD Standards Council, Education Scotland HMI CLD Team sit round a desk with laptops, another laptop shows people who have joined the meeting online.
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 😊

Register to attend online for the Annual Lecture and Members Conference 2022

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:

Have Your Say: National Discussion on Scottish Education – 18 November 2022, 10.30am-12pm

Have Your Say: National Discussion on Scottish Education – 18 November 2022, 2pm-3.30pm


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

Register for the next Community Development NOS focus group on Monday, 5 December 2-4pm

Adult Learning Creation

  • Key functional areas could include: Reflective Practice; creating a supportive learning environment; and partnership working
  • Consider how best to include anti-discriminatory practice
  • Ensure learners are at the centre

Register for the next Adult Learning NOS focus group on Friday, 13 January 2023 1-3.30pm

Family Learning Review

  • Health and wellbeing agenda for families and practitioners should be embedded throughout
  • More input is needed from school and early learning practitioners, so if you have contacts, please let them know
  • New standards around developing yourself as a family learning practitioner should be included

Register for the next Family Learning NOS focus group on Wednesday, 18 January 2023 3.30-5.30pm

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.

Full application and contact details can be found on our Recruiting for the Executive Committee webpage.

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.


News from the CLD Sector

Coaching for Success for CLD Practitioners

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.

ESOL Practice on our Stories Around Scotland 

NATECLA Scotland want to hear from CLD ESOL practitioners & what you get up to – would you consider writing short piece? View the stories they have already collected

Emergency Winter Crisis Appeal 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. 

Child Rights: What? Why? How?

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.  

Health Inequalities in Scotland

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 Member Bulletin – 09 November 2022

CLD Standards Council – Annual Lecture and Conference, Edinburgh, 1-2 December 2022

CLD Standards Council Scotland Member Conference 2022 Logo

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.

Register for the Annual Lecture and Members Conference 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.

Don’t delay register today for CLD Standards Council Member Conference 2022.

Clock face with hands and words 'closing soon'

News from the CLD Standards Council

It’s been another week jam packed with exciting events and conversations as we’ve been out and about again this week. 

Vikki Carpenter, CLD Standards Council and Laura Starkey, Education Scotland

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.

First year students from the Learning in Communities course at Edinburgh University sit round desks in a classroom

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.

Kirsty Gemmell at the CLD Standards Council stall talking to delegates at the YouthLink Conference

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

CLD Standards Council Scotland Have Your Say Session! Logo

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. 

Register for Have Your Say: Improving gender balance and equalities within the CLD sector on EventBrite.


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:

Have Your Say: National Discussion on Scottish Education – 18 November 2022, 10.30am-12pm

Have Your Say: National Discussion on Scottish Education – 18 November 2022, 2pm-3.30pm


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! 

Register for the December Member Meet-up on Eventbrite


News from the CLD Sector

Poverty in Scotland 2022

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.

Youth Work Week 2022

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.

Education Scotland Children’s Rights in 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.

Aging Better UK

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.


CLD Standards Council Member Bulletin – 02 November 2022

News from the CLD Standards Council

A week in the life of the CLD Standards Council

💻 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! 

Register for the Adult Learning NOS focus group on Eventbrite.


CLD Standards Council – Annual Lecture and Conference, Edinburgh, 1-2 December 2022

CLD Standards Council Scotland Member Conference 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.

Register for the Annual Lecture and Members Conference 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.

Don’t delay register today for CLD Standards Council Member Conference 2022.

Clock face with words Time's Running Out!

CLD Standards Council: Have Your Say: Improving gender balance and equalities within the CLD sector, 11 November, 12.30-1.30pm

CLD Standards Council Scotland, Have Your Say Session!

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

For more information on these resources please visit the Improving Gender Balance and Equalities in CLD: development of new resources webpage.

Register for Have Your Say: Improving gender balance and equalities within the CLD sector on EventBrite.


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.

Full application and contact details can be found on our Recruiting for the Executive Committee webpage.

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.


News from the CLD Sector

Winter Learning Festival Nov-Feb 22/23

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.

Number Confidence Week 7-11 Nov

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.

ESOL Survey

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.

Digital Lifelines Small Grants Fund 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.

Your Police 2022-23

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. 

New Scots National Conference Registration is open

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. 


CLDSC Member Bulletin – 26 October 2022

This Week’s News

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?

CLD Standards Council Member Conference 2022

Registration for our Annual Lecture and Members Conference 2022 is now open and it’s ALL ABOUT YOU! 

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. 

There are only 60 spaces for the lecture and discounted accommodation is available (see booking page for more details).

Annual Members Conference – Friday, 2nd December (9.30am-4.30pm)
We are delighted to announce today that Sarah Thiam, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Development & Industry (SCDI) will be our keynote speaker at the conference.

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!  

Book your place at the CLD Standards Council Member Conference 2022.

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. 

Sign up using the EventBrite links below.

Family Learning NOS Review Focus Group – Monday 31 October, 2-4.30pm, Zoom

Adult Learning NOS Creation Focus Group – Monday 7 November, 2-4.30pm, Zoom

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

CLD Standards Council Member Meet-up

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.

Register for the November Member Meet-up on EventBrite.


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

CLD Standards Council - Have Your Say Session!

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

For more information on these resources please visit the Improving Gender Balance and Equalities in CLD: development of new resources webpage.

Register for Have Your Say: Improving gender balance and equalities within the CLD sector on EventBrite.


HMI Community Development Report Webinars

Education Scotland, Responsive, supportive and resilient communities - A review of community development during the pandemic, September 2022

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:

Planning for the future and next steps – 27th October 2022 – 12:30-14:00
Planning for the future and next steps – 27th October 2022 – 16:00-17:30

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:

Partnership working and Volunteering – 2nd November 2022 – 15:00-16:15

If you have attended a webinar, Education Scotland would be grateful if you could complete an evaluation form.


CLDSC Member Bulletin – 19 October 2022

CLD Standards Council Members Conference 2022 – Have you booked yet?

CLD Standards Council Member Conference 2022

Registration for our Annual Lecture and Members Conference 2022 is now open and it’s ALL ABOUT YOU! 

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.

We’ll be using Zoom as the conference platform and our friends at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) are dealing with booking administration.

Book your place at the CLD Standards Council Member Conference 2022.

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.

Register for the November Virtual Members Meet-up on EventBrite.


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

The Winter Learning Festival for CLD 2022-23 is being coordinated and delivered by the CLD professional learning networks across Scotland.    

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.

You can find out more on the Winter Learning Festival 2022-23 page on i-develop. Events will be added over time, so keep checking back to find out what’s new.


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!

Sign-up links & dates below:
•    South-East Collaborative (starting Thursday 20th Oct) – now open to registrations from other regions
•    Tayside Collaborative (starting Wednesday 30th Nov) – now open to registrations from other regions