As the professional body for adult, community and youth workers in Scotland, the Community Learning and Development Standards Council grants professional endorsement for relevant adult learning, youth and community work degree programmes. We can confirm that after extensive engagement with the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education) and the University of Glasgow that the University of Glasgow is again fully compliant with the set standards for professional approval, in respect of the BA/BA Hons in Community Development for the class of 2023. We can confirm that the University has ensured that all those who graduated did so in compliance with the Professional Approval Standards.
The CLD Standards Council further confirm that the University of Glasgow continues to hold professional approval for the BA/BA(HONS) in Community Development, as a suitable course of study for employment within the distinct profession of Community Learning and Development.
As part of our function as the approving body, We will continue to engage with all University partners to ensure that the Professional Standards for Community Learning and Development are upheld across Scotland.
The Community Learning and Development Standards Council welcomes the appointment of Kate Still to lead the Independent Review of the CLD Sector. The CLD Standards Council is of the view that this is an appropriate time for such a review within the context of the major reforms proposed for the Scottish Education system.
CLD Standards Council members will look forward to engage actively with the Independent Review in order to provide evidence on the key role which the CLD family, Adult Learning, Community Development and Youth Work, has to play in the further development of an effective 21st Century Lifelong Learning system which meets the needs of individuals, communities and society.
The University of Glasgow and the CLD Standards Council Scotland recognise that this is a particularly stressful time for students and staff.
The University is doing everything it can to mitigate against the impact of this period of industrial action and has written to all affected students with the latest information, advice and support.
The University has committed that no student will be prevented from graduating or onwards progression if they are eligible to do so. Graduating students who have not received grades can attend graduation ceremonies and will receive a parchment, pending final confirmation of their degree classification. Continuing students can also enrol in the next stage of their degree programmes.
The CLD Standards Council confirmed that the University of Glasgow currently holds professional approval for the BA/BA(HONS) in Community Development, as a suitable course of study for employment within the distinct profession of Community Learning and Development. They continue to ensure that all professional standards are upheld and are working directly with the University on this basis. As a professional standards body the CLD Standards Council have no involvement in the industrial dispute.
Students and employers should raise any associated queries directly with the University.
As the professional body for adult, community and youth workers in Scotland, the Community Learning and Development Standards Council grants professional endorsement for relevant youth and community work degree programmes. At this time, we understand that the University of Glasgow is not fully compliant with the set standards in respect of the BA/BA Hons in Community Development. We are continuing to engage with the University to explore solutions that will meet the needs of all parties.
The CLD Standards Council are delighted to announce that the Modern Apprenticeship (MA) in Youth Work has now been approved and is ready for use. The MA in CLD: Youth Work provides a practical work based route for learners to gain employment experience and an SCQF level 6 or 7 qualification. It is just one of a range of qualifications in the suite of Community Learning and Development programmes.
Dr Marion Allison, Director of the CLD Standards Council said,
“We were delighted to extend our reach to deliver the review of this learning programme. The Modern Apprenticeship in CLD: Youth Work provides trainees and employers with a tried and tested qualification that ensures young people and communities have access to well-trained CLD: Youth Workers. The ambition for all of Scotland’s young people, learners and communities to be served by highly trained CLD practitioners is central to the CLD Standards Council’s mission”.
Youth Work Modern Apprenticeships Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Why has there been an “uprating of SCQF level from 5/6 to 6/7 in the MA”?
Answer: The MA level has been uprated as the SVQ was uprated from SCQF Level 5/6 to SCQF Level 6/7.
Question: Why are Core Skills now at SCQF Level 5/6 rather than the previous SCQF Level 4/5?
Answer: Workplace Core Skills must be applied at a minimum required level according to the level of the Modern Apprenticeship. Different levels may be acceptable, higher or lower, but developers would need to provide evidence to justify this. In the Steering groups opinion there was no compelling justification that would meet this criteria.
The following information aligns MA levels with minimum Core Skills levels; this should be used as a guide when considering a Framework submission.
MA Level – Minimum Core Skill level
SCQF level 5 – SCQF level 4
SCQF level 6 – SCQF level 5
SCQF level 7 – SCQF level 6
Question: Why are some Core Skills embedded and others are not?
Answer:
The core skills of “Communication, Working with Others & Problem Solving” have been judged to be embedded through the performance criteria for the mandatory modules.
ICT & Numeracy is not embedded in the CLD Youth Work MA mandatory modules. There is evidence for ICT in the optional unit CLD YW 08 but this can not be used for evidence.
Where the developer believes that the Workplace Core Skills do not require separate certification then a detailed mapping exercise must be carried out and included within the framework submission. Each element (or performance criteria) for each of the SVQ mandatory units must be mapped against each Core Skill task. SQA Accreditation guidance on signposting and mapping work-based core skills highlights the following distinction:
“The main difference between signposting and mapping Workplace Core Skills is depth. Signposting is indicative, and normally involves reviewing the SVQ competences against the Workplace Core Skills titles. Mapping involves a more in-depth review in which the job role is compared to individual Outcomes or Performance Criteria (PC) of SVQ and Workplace Core Skills Units.”
For clarity, even where core skills can be shown to be embedded, employers in the sector still have the option of requesting that separate certification is mandatory in the Framework.
Question: Why is there a mandatory enhancement requirement to the MA CLD Youth Work?
Answer: This maintains the position of the previous Youth Work Modern Apprenticeship and parity of esteem with the Community Development Modern Apprenticeship. The number and scope of the mandatory enhancements have been increased to allow as wide a choice as possible for the learners and providers, whilst meeting the feedback provided by the Apprentice Approvals Group that there should be “clear and concise differentiation” between the Youth Work Modern Apprenticeship frameworks at level 6 and at level 7. For this reason some mandatory enhancements only appear at the relevant level and not in both frameworks.
As part of volunteer’s weeks celebrations, the Community Learning and Development (CLD) Standards Council Scotland and Volunteer Scotland are excited to announce its new partnership. Through this partnership we will encourage groups and organisations within the adult learning, community development and youth work sectors to offer appropriate volunteering opportunities and give volunteers a positive experience through good volunteer practice.
Both organisations have a long standing history of setting and supporting national standards including , the Competent CLD Practitioner Framework, CLD Standards and the Volunteering Quality Pipeline. All with the aim of improving practice, encouraging learning, and supporting service delivery.
Adrian Murtagh, Head of Volunteer Practice, Volunteer Scotland said “With our commitment to volunteering and life-long learning, I believe that through this partnership we have an opportunity to formally recognise the amazing skill set that many volunteer engagers and practitioners have and display when managing and supporting their CLD volunteers.
The partnership will also support appropriate policy development through its commitment to learn together and share information. Other areas the partnership will support are; the recently developed Adult Learning Strategy, recognition of both quality standards, development of new learning opportunities and inclusive volunteering.
Dr Marion Allison, Director of CLD Standards Council Scotland said…”With more and more volunteers joining the CLD Standards Council and setting their sights on studying or gaining work in the adult learning, youth and community work sectors; our partnership with Volunteer Scotland will provide volunteers and their host organisations quality information and advice for learning and training. This partnership acknowledges the key role that volunteers have in the delivery of CLD services and compliments a range of work and learning policies at national and local levels”.
Both parties look forward to continuing to work together to build a strong partnership for the benefit of volunteering, good practice development and enhancing local communities.
As you may have seen from previous bulletins, we have been undertaking a review of the Communications Strategy for CLD Standards Council Scotland. Our next exciting instalment is that we will be taking a break from the weekly bulletin so that we can remodel, plan content and return rejuvenated in late Spring!
BUT FRET NOT! 😀
In the meantime, we will keep in touch with any important news and events, and also through our social media channels, so make sure you join us on Facebook and Slack, as well as follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Connections to all of our social media platforms are on our Linktree.
Please remember to make sure we have the right contact details for you. Have you changed job, mobile phone, email? Please make sure your contact details are correct on i-develop or if you are not sure then send us an email at contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk.
Upcoming CLD Events
CLD Standards Council: Member Meet-up – Adult Learning with Citizen Literacy
Come along to our next members meet-up on 6th March at 4pm and meet Diane and John from Citizen Phonics. Together we will explore their resources designed for adult literacy, including a freelearners’ app!
The Citizen Literacy programme is designed to help adults who can speak English to improve their reading and writing skills. It can also be used to support learners who are learning English as a second language.
Following two rounds of focus groups, we have now prepared draft National Occupational Standards (NOS) for you to review and comment on.
Please make your views known by completing our Adult Learning NOS online survey and please also share with your colleagues and networks.
The survey will be open until 6pm on 9th March 2023. The draft NOS, new Functional Map and all information on the creation process can be found on the Adult Learning NOS webpage.
Have Your Say: Post-school education, research and skills – Third Sector and Students
At the CLD Standards Council, we are committed to supporting the development of policy and research that impacts you, as well as the learners and communities that we work with across Scotland.
This Scottish Government consultation on Post-school education, research and skills ecosystem includes colleges, universities, community learning and development, apprenticeships and employer-led training along with the research that develops the new thinking, systems and products.
This consultation is an opportunity for the CLD workforce across Scotland to inform what does and does not work in the current ecosystem. We have already met with practitioners from Local Authorities, as well as from the HE/FE sector. If you work or volunteer in a charitable organisation, or are a student studying CLD, then we still need to hear from you, so sign up below and have your say. 😊
Our response will inform Ministers and other decision-makers to shape and deliver the reform we believe necessary to secure a sustainable future for our learners, communities and economy.
Monday, 17th April at 6pm in Hamilton Universal Connections. Bringing CLD Talks to a live audience for the very first time! Interviews and a panel discussion and a Q&A with guests. Free event.
The data presented here is from their 2023 UK Poverty report, setting out the trends and impacts of poverty across the UK. Right now 90% of households receiving #UniversalCredit are going without essentials like food, utilities and vital household goods.
The Scottish Digital Academy confirms that from March 2023, they will fund and offer cyber security professional learning for the public and third sectors in Scotland.
We are currently seeking views from CLD Youth Workers, Youth Work Providers, Training Organisations and Educational Institutions to inform the review of the Modern Apprenticeship Framework based on the Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in CLD Youth Work. The Modern Apprenticeship and SVQs in CLD Youth Work are an important part of the network of Community Learning and Development qualifications that support the professional learning and development of CLD youth workers in Scotland.
The survey deadline has been extended until 6pm on Friday, 3rd March. Information on the review process can be found on the Family Learning NOS webpage.
And in other news…the brand new National Occupational Standards for Adult Learning have now been drafted and are ready for you to review and comment on. The Functional Map and the Standards are available to view on the Adult Learning NOS webpage. You can share your views and highlight any amendments by completing the Adult Learning NOS survey. The survey will remain open until 6pm on 9 March 2023.
CLD Standards Council: Member Meet-up – Adult Learning with Citizen Literacy
Citizen Literacy is a home grown, wholly independent Community Interest Company (CIC), a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping improve adult literacy in the English language, based and registered in Scotland.
The educational design of the programme is a good fit with the ideas connected to the Science of Reading and the use of phonics, but with very different methods to those used with children. Where possible they make the resources free (e.g. the free learner web app and downloads for tutors to use in ‘class’).
Join this members meet-up session on 6th March at 4 pm, to find out how this adult learning resource could work for you and your learners.
Have Your Say: Post-school education, research and skills
Come and join us to help clarify the work of the CLD workforce across Scotland and inform what does and does not work in the current post-school education ecosystem.
Our response will inform Ministers and other decision makers to shape and deliver the reform we believe necessary to secure a sustainable future for our learners, communities and economy. CLD workers are not a shy breed so come and have your say.
You can sign up using the Eventbrite links below for a focus group specifically aimed at your sector: FE/HE, Local Authority, Third Sector and Students.
Scottish Education Awards – Have you nominated for CLD?
There is only one week left to nominate your amazing CLD programmes and practitioners for a Scottish Education Award. Let’s highlight all the good CLD practice that happens across Scotland. There is there a CLD Award which recognises CLD’s contribution to improving life chances for people of all ages. There are also Digital, Lifelong Achievement, Parent and Family Engagement Awards, so get nominating on the Scottish Education Awards website. #BecauseOfCLD#ScotEdAwards2023
This network began as a visionary seed project in 2008 and by 2016 was spearheading the Scottish Government sponsored ‘Year of the Dad’. By the end of the campaign they had inspired almost 6,000 individuals and well over 1,000 organisations to celebrate the difference a supportive dad can make to improving children’s lives as well as raise awareness of the learning and support dads need.
27th Feb – 5th March. Free webinars, resources and learning opportunities will be available throughout the week. These will help people and organisations become more informed about cyber risks and learn how to become more cyber resilient.
Through the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland, environmental organisations, community groups, land owners and farmers will be eligible to apply for a share of £1.8 million in funding to help grow their nature projects.
Scottish Cycling have ambitious plans to grow the network of youth cycling clubs as a key legacy outcome of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, by supporting a network of inclusive and engaging clubs, where everyone has an opportunity to play their part in the cycling community.
Many thanks to everyone who has signed up or taken part in recent members meet ups, surveys and focus groups. Your engagement and voice is critical to enable us to keep raising the profile of the CLD sector to support you and your professional practice. So thank you from the CLD Standards Council to all our members and supporters who practise, promote and advocate for our professional values and competences that impact on our learners and communities every day.
In this bulletin, you will discover new and interesting opportunities to get involved with and links to useful resources and information to help support your CLD practice.
Alan Sherry OBE, Reappointed as Chair of CLD Standards Council
The CLD Standards Council is delighted to share that our Chair, Mr Alan Sherry OBE, has been reappointed for another 4-year term of office.
Alan continues to champion the CLD Standards Council and the wider sector in a number of areas ranging from CLD career pathways and learner pathways to the essential role that CLD practitioners play in the positive advancement of young people, adult learners and communities.
Congratulations to Alan on his reappointment!
Family Learning National Occupational Standards (NOS) – online survey now open!
Following two rounds of focus groups, we have now prepared draft NOS and have changes available to comment on.
The survey will be open until 6pm on Tuesday, 21st February. Information on the review process can be found on the Family Learning NOS webpage.
CLD Standards Council: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Members Forum, 17 February, 3pm
This Friday, come along to our first meeting for 2023. Join us in discussions at the new CLD Standards Council members forum on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We aim to co-create a designated space for CLD practitioners to come together, ask questions and develop an understanding of the issues impacting the CLD Sector across Scotland, as well as share solutions.
All members and potential members welcome so join us online on 17th February at 3pm to find out more.
There are only 2 weeks left to nominate your amazing CLD programmes and practitioners for a Scottish Education Award. Let’s highlight all the good CLD practice that happens across Scotland. There is there a CLD Award which recognises CLD’s contribution to improving life chances for people of all ages. There are also Digital, Lifelong Achievement, Parent and Family Engagement Awards, so get nominating on the Scottish Education Awards website. #BecauseOfCLD#ScotEdAwards2023
Community Wealth Building is focused on growing the influence communities have on the economy and ensuring communities receive more of the benefits from the wealth they help to generate. The Scottish Government are currently consulting on their plans for a community wealth building approach to economic development. This should improve the influence and involvement of local communities in creating both wealth and wellbeing. The consultation outlines 5 pillars of community wealth building: spending, workforce, land and property, inclusive ownership and finance. CLD Standards Council will be hosting an online focus group to gather members views to form a response, so watch this space for more information.
Join Volunteer Scotland’s wide range of interactive learning bites to update your knowledge of volunteer practice and discover the latest best practices in volunteer management.
This is a process through which you can identify, research, analyse and record the anticipated impact of any proposed law, policy or measure on children’s human rights and wellbeing. It should be used on all new legislation and policy that impacts on children. This guidance includes links to useful resources for gathering evidence, involving children and young people in the development of policy/measure and ensuring decisions are necessary and proportionate.
PB Scotland Network is free and open to anyone who is interested in participatory budgeting. Network members are invited to contribute their ideas, learning and enthusiasm to advancing PB in Scotland.
An LGBTQI+ led non-profit organisation that aims to help people identify, navigate and create safe spaces for LGBTQI+ communities worldwide and a global and collaborative safe space community. There is no cost for listing your space and place so let’s get Scotland’s safe spaces on the map!
Ready Scotland’s learning hub provides learning resources to help individuals, community groups and voluntary sector organisations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a range of emergencies and to better understand how to work with responder organisations.
A huge thank you to everyone who completed the communications survey. We had a fabulous response and are busy updating emails and inputting your responses into our communications strategy developments. It’s not too late to complete our communications survey and it literally takes 2 minutes.
We are currently seeking views from CLD Youth Workers, Youth Work Providers, Training Organisations and Educational Institutions to inform the review of the Modern Apprenticeship Framework based on the Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in CLD Youth Work. The Modern Apprenticeship and SVQs in CLD Youth Work are an important part of the network of Community Learning and Development qualifications that support the professional learning and development of CLD youth workers in Scotland.
CLD Standards Council: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Members Forum, 17 February, 3pm
Come along to our first meeting for 2023 and join us in discussion at a new CLD Standards Council members forum on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We aim to co-create a designated space for CLD practitioners to come together, ask questions and develop an understanding of the issues impacting the CLD Sector across Scotland, as well as share solutions.
All members and potential members welcome so join us online on 17th February at 3 pm to find out more.
Have Your Say: Post-School Education, Research and Skills
We are committed to supporting the development of policy and research that impacts you, as well as the learners and communities that we work with across Scotland.
This Scottish Government consultation on Post-school education, research and skills ecosystem includes colleges, universities, community learning and development, apprenticeships and employer-led training, along with the research that develops the new thinking, systems and products.
This consultation is an opportunity for the CLD workforce across Scotland to inform what does and does not work in the current ecosystem. All four online focus groups will discuss the purpose and five principles, from the lens of specific sectors where CLD practitioners practice or engage with professional learning. Our response will inform Ministers, and other decision makers to shape and deliver the reform we believe necessary to secure a sustainable future for our learners, communities and economy.
You can sign up using the Eventbrite links below for a focus group specifically aimed at your sector: FE/HE, Local Authority, Third Sector and Students.
LGBT+ communities and individuals have experienced and continue to face discrimination, particularly in schools. The recent LGBT Youth Scotland report states that only 10% of participants rated the experience of school for LGBT people as ‘good’ and 70% of gay/lesbian participants report experiencing bullying due to their sexual orientation at school.
This SCDC participation resource pack contains a range of guides, tools and templates to help you understand the Participation Request process, the language and terms that are used, and the process involved.
SRN are holding a series of recovery conversation cafés to help develop the Scottish Government’s new Self-Harm Strategy. They are looking for people who are willing to share their experiences of self-harm support and would also like to hear from people, services and organisations that provide support.
The Scottish Government wants to ensure planning authorities properly involve the Gypsy/Traveller community and are seeking views on a proposed definition of ‘Gypsies and Travellers’ for the specific purposes of the planning legislation. They want to hear from the Gypsy/Traveller community and other travelling communities, as well as CLD teams who are working closely with them. This consultation closes on 15th February 2023.
The cost of living crisis is going beyond affecting finance – with 59 per cent of Scots saying it has had an impact on their mental health, according to new research. Published on 2 February 2023, it was released to mark Time to Talk Day, a national day of conversations about mental health that seeks to tackle the stigma which so many people continue to face.
This consultation considers possible improvements to electoral law such as: how to increase voter registration, how to improve accessibility in elections, the small number of people resident in Scotland without voting rights (such as asylum seekers and people detained under mental health legislation), as well as rights for young people who can vote but cannot stand for election. Can you support communities to have their say and inform decisions?
Scottish Government funded wellbeing programmes currently on offer provide support for individuals working within schools, Community Learning and Development (CLD), and Early Learning and Childcare (ELC). Fully funded and delivered online, there is a range of courses, from supervision spaces to coaching, all designed to help you look after your own wellbeing and the wellbeing of those you work with.
