The report recognises that Councils have a challenging role but have worked hard to improve and maintain services to their communities and improve how they use their resources.  However with a growing gap between demand and resources, more fundamental, transformational changes are needed in service provision.

The report gives information on individual councils as well as the national view, making recommendations for the future.

Read the report on the Audit Scotland website

The Scottish Government is consulting on the proposals for a new national public health body in Scotland, to be known as ‘Public Health Scotland’

Public Health Scotland will have an important role in translating public health intelligence and evidence into policy and practice; and realising the value of data to influence ever more meaningful connections locally, nationally and with communities to improve health and wellbeing.

The consultation  document and further information are online at  – https://consult.gov.scot/public-health/public-health-scotland/

The CLD Standards Council has submitted a response to the consultation –

Download: New National Public Health body consultation CLDSC Response

The Give a dog a bone… and an animal a home charity won the Scottish Charity Award for Celebrating Communities.  The Award was sponsored by CLD Standards Council.

Our chair Alan Sherry presented the award to the charity founder Louise Russell at the sparkling 2019 Scottish Charity Awards Ceremony hosted by Sally Magnusson.

Give a Dog a Bone is a young, unique charity tackling loneliness through animal companionship.  The charity supports the over 60s to afford a rescue pet companion. The team has helped hundreds of older adults and rescue animals to have a happier life, together, and it’s a win-win – the person gets a friend and the animal gets a home.
Already they have expanded their remit to include a Community Space project where they offer retired people a safe space to make new friend and learn new skills.

A Special Commendation was also awarded to Bridgend Farmhouse.

The CLD Standards Council and COSLA are delighted to have signed our new Partnership Agreement.

The commitment to allow local authority staff time to participate in the committees that drive forward the Standards Council’s work is all the more welcome in the light of the pressures that local authorities across Scotland are facing. It builds on the good practice of many councils who have supported their CLD professionals’ involvement in the CLDSC’s work and provides assurance to others considering involvement that this support will be available. COSLA has taken the lead in recognising the role of CLD as a profession in breaking down barriers to inclusion and opportunity, to the well-being and dynamism of communities and to the health of local democracy.

View the Partnership Agreement:  CLD Standards Council and COSLA Partnership Agreement May 2019

Congratulations to the University of Dundee on achieving professional approval for the

• BA (Hons) Community Education
• BA (Hons) Community Education work based route
• PGD Community Education

The passion and commitment of the teaching team came across very clearly throughout the process and appreciation for their hard work was expressed by practice supervisors and students.

During the approval visit the CLD Standards Council approval panel noted some strengths within the 3 programmes approved:

• They commend the ongoing work on the World Community Development Conference 2019 and support for students
• The re-introduction of the work based route is seen as a positive step to support sustainability and viability of the BA programme
• The Student voice is strong and the panel wish to thank the students for their open and honest feedback at the event.
• Students are well prepared to undertake and develop research skills. The Internship is a real commitment to research in the CLD field and will support organisations and the field more generally
• The Value based approach is embedded throughout all programmes
• The University’s strong fieldwork networks and the positive working relationship with practitioners.

The courses were approved from 2019 to 2024.

Yesterday at the annual members’ conference in Glasgow, Mr Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, announced that Mr Alan Sherry, Principal of Glasgow Kelvin College, has been appointed as the new Chair of the CLD Standards Council Scotland. The appointment was approved by the Deputy First Minster, Mr John Swinney MSP, following a public, competitive process.

Alan started his career in Community Education and is a Member of the CLD Standards Council.  Under his leadership Glasgow Kelvin College has been at the forefront of community learning and community development in the East of Glasgow for many years. Alan has a wealth of experience in lifelong learning, influencing key developments at city-wide, national and European levels.

Alan will take up post on 1st April; responding to his appointment, he said:

“I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as Chair of the CLD Standards Council Scotland.

“This is an exciting time for all of us involved in CLD, with the renewed emphasis on Lifelong Learning, the importance of youth work in support of Scotland’s young people and in championing community empowerment. I look forward to working with the CLD Standards Council and its partners to take it into the future.”

Applications for the Scottish Charity awards will be closing on the 25 March.

The Scottish Charity Awards highlight the best, most innovative and effective charity organisations and individuals from the past year, and celebrate those who make a difference in our communities.

The CLD Standards Council is delighted to support the Celebrating Communities award.

This award recognises the amazing work that is done all across Scotland, by small voluntary groups and grassroots organisations working with local communities and communities of interest.

There are seven other award categories – Charity of the Year, Charity Champion, Demonstrating Digital, Pioneering Project, Terrific Trustee, Leading Light and Cracking Campaign – with the winners to be decided by a panel of judges.

For full details and how to apply see – https://scvo.org.uk/scottish-charity-awards/

Congratulations to the South East and Central CLD Workforce Development Consortium on the award of the CLD Standards Council Standards Mark.

Committee of South East and Central CLD Workforce Development Consortium and Diann Govenlock, Chair, accepting Standards Mark Award.

The South East and Central CLD Workforce Development Consortium was established in 2011.  The Consortium consists of representatives of 8 local authorities as follows:

• City of Edinburgh
• Clackmannanshire
• East Lothian
• Midlothian
• West Lothian
• Falkirk
• Scottish Borders
• Stirling Council

The consortium demonstrated clear enthusiasm for their work and the approval panel commended them for this commitment.

Within the submission there was good clear evidence provided and demonstration of CLD values and links to national policy. The panel were also impressed with the good use of i-develop to share resources and increase accessibility.

Following on from discussions in our member committees it has been proposed that we make the CLD Standards Council register of members public.
This is a matter for our membership to decide so we are asking members to vote.

There are a number of reasons for making the register public :-

• Having a public register is a declaration that we are an open and proud profession. Happy to be recognised and identify with our member colleagues.
• Having a public register is consistent with the majority of regulatory bodies such as GTCS and SSSC
• It will make it simpler for members to provide evidence when applying for jobs
• It will make it simpler for employers verifying applicants for jobs
• If someone wished to make a complaint about a practitioner they could verify if the person was a member or not.

The Public Register would be available online to be queried by Name and would give the following details about a member :-

• Name
• Membership status
• Geographical region the member predominantly works in

Please note that this information can already be accessed by employers or complainants if they make a direct enquiry to the CLD Standards Council giving a specific name.

A vote email was issued to members on the 15 February 2019.  If you did NOT receive this email please contact us by email on contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk with a subject of “Public Register Vote” giving your full name and indicate your choice

Should there be a public register YES

Or

Should there be a public register NO

Please do NOT email us if you have already voted using the email vote option.

The vote will close on the 8th of March 2019.
After that date we will count the votes and the decision will be made on the votes received and we will notify all members.

Would you like to help develop the national occupational standards (NOS) which are the benchmark used to confirm competence for those working in job roles in the Youth Work Sector?

With the support of many of your fellow professionals from across the sector, the CLD Standards Council has reviewed a range of NOS for the Youth Work sector.  We are now consulting on their content in order to determine whether they truly reflect the skills and knowledge required for those carrying out job functions.  The next stage is to hear the views of as many people as possible, from right across the sector to make sure we have got the content right.

Your input is hugely valuable and will help to define the Standards which will be used to shape courses and qualifications, job descriptions and other talent management tools for individuals, employers, trainers and educators.

Please review the updated functional map and revised standards:

Download; Updated NOS Functional Map

Download: Revised NOS for consultation

The online consultation will be running from now until 12 noon 25 February 2019.

Please answer the consultation questions in as little or as much detail as you want – reflecting your experience and current role.

 Consultation survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/YWNOSConsultation/

If you have any questions about the consultation, please contact Kirsty Gemmell at CLD Standards Council Scotland.