CLDSC Member Bulletin – 10 June 2020

CLDSC Members Virtual Meet-Up – Digitally Agile or Digitally Fragile?

Over these past few months, we’ve all had to embrace the digital world more than ever before. This has brought lots of frustrations, but it’s also highlighted our creativity and adaptability as CLD practitioners – bet you’re more agile than you think! Our next Virtual Meet-Up gives us a chance to share the highs of feeling digitally agile, the lows of feeling digitally fragile and the space to come up with practical ways to support each other. If you haven’t already registered yet for the next Virtual Meet-Up on Friday 12 June 1-2pm, what are you waiting for?! Registration for event now closed.

Wave 3 of the CLD Response to COVID-19 Survey

The third wave of the survey will close on Wednesday the 17 June (just 1 week away).
Whether you responded to wave 1 or 2 or not, please take the time to contribute to wave 3.

Please complete the survey here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/6R65JN/

Please also pass the link on to any CLD colleagues. We really appreciate your support with this task at this busy time.
The CLD Standards Council has asked practitioners to complete the short survey to gather information and examples on the CLD Response to COVID-19. The survey is open to collect a third wave of information to build the picture over time.
The results from the first wave of the survey to the 19 April 2020 have been collected and you can find the report on the CLDSC website.

Guidance on moving SCQF rated programmes online

Learning providers are having to adapt rapidly in these times with many of you moving your provision online. What are the implications when you are making all of these changes to the way you deliver your programmes and assess your learners? How do you make sure that you are still meeting the requirements of SCQF and ensuring that your learners can still be certificated?
This blog from SCQF gives some useful information and guidance.

SURF Awards

Scotland’s regeneration forum – SURF – opened its annual awards for applications on 4 June. Categories for the awards include Community Led Regeneration and Supporting Youth Employability.
You can see further information and download application forms on the SURF Awards website.

Closing date for applications is 7 September 2020.

Children’s survey from the Children’s Parliament

The Children’s Parliament is engaging children age 8 to 14 years old in a conversation about their experience of Coronavirus and lockdown.
They have launched the June edition of the national wellbeing survey – How are you doing?

The survey is available on this link: bit.ly/Coronavirus_Kids

Children can access the survey themselves via the link, but it if you could highlight the survey to children in the target age range that you know, that would be most helpful. The survey is also a great conversation starter. Children can access and complete the survey for the first time, or return to it having completed it before.
If you visit the How are you doing web page you will also find a report on findings from the April and May How are you doing? surveys. Nearly 4,000 children took part in both months and the Children’s Parliament are working hard to ensure Government and other agencies are listening to the insight from children as they develop actions to address concerns and plan for recovery.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for continuity in learning

Last Friday, the Scottish Government issued further guidance to support children and young people’s learning during the COVID-19 crisis. In recovery planning, Education Authorities are advised to “consider the support available through CLD services (provided by local authorities, other statutory services and the third sector) as part of their local delivery plan”.
It notes that “youth workers can provide an alternative trusted relationship for young people through both one to one and group support. Youth work is often targeted to individuals and communities furthest from engagement or inclusion.” The report also highlights that CLD services also include “family learning, adult learning and ESOL (English of Speakers of Other Languages). These can be useful in supporting parents and carers to engage with the school and with their children’s learning.”
The report recognises that many schools across Scotland have youth and family learning workers engaged directly in schools and across the wider community; “These services are especially useful in reconnecting some vulnerable children and young people to reconnect with education.”. It is also acknowledges that CLD workers “provide information and practical and emotional support to children, young people, parents and carers through transitions and, in partnership with other professionals, can support a holistic approach to meeting their needs.”.
The full report can be accessed on the Scottish Government website.

MEd CLD Research project – participants required

Understanding how to grow the young CLD workforce.
Approvals Committee member Ceri Hunter is carrying out a piece of research as part of her CLD MEd that actions a key recommendation of the Working with Scotland’s Communities report: Understanding how to grow the young CLD workforce.
Ceri writes: “This research project is looking to conduct interviews with students/recent graduates about their journey into the CLD profession. I am looking for those students who have recently completed 1st or 4th year of a CLD/Community Development/Community Education degree in Scotland, who are able to take part in an online video interview, which should take between 30 – 45mins. Many thanks in advance”
Access further information and contact details to participate

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 3 June 2020

Welcome to the weekly CLDSC bulletin from Chair, Alan Sherry O.B.E.

Throughout the lockdown I have been humbled, awestruck and inspired by our Members’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the CLD practice areas of Adult Learning, Community Development and Youth Work, Members have been working days, evenings and weekends to deliver a wide range of services, including, digital learning services whilst addressing community needs. Equally impressive has been the dedication of volunteers across aspects of CLD devoting time to supporting individuals and communities.
At the National CLD Stakeholders Group and the Tertiary Sector group Chaired by Mr Richard Lochhead, Minister for FE, HE, Science and CLD, I am pleased to sit alongside colleagues from the further and higher education sectors where the data drawn from the current CLD Workforce Survey is supporting my input to these meetings. I would like to thank everyone for continuing to share your experiences with us.

The multi-faceted challenges facing young people, adult learners and communities also impact upon us as a workforce of practitioners, volunteers and leaders. It is very obvious that CLD practice and services are needed now more than ever to support the communities which we serve. Equally, it is important CLD Standards are maintained and applied to allow flex for different individual and organisational circumstances.

An expert short life working group has been established, led by Avril Nicol, Chair of CLD Managers’ Scotland, to work with the Scottish Government to produce guidance to the CLD sector as we move through the phases to reduce the current restrictions on face to face working. It is anticipated that this guidance will be available later this month.

Over the coming months we will continue to issue weekly bulletins, deliver on-line CLD Chats, support organisational professional learning, address registration needs and issue relevant guidance and support aids. Our aim is to continue to provide you with professional support as you respond so effectively to the pandemic.

Finally I would wish to take this opportunity to thank you all for your considerable contribution to ensuring that individuals and communities are supported during this challenging period.

This week’s articles specifically focus on Volunteers Week Scotland and the difference CLD volunteers make.

CLDSC Registration – We Welcome Volunteers!

Do you know anyone who volunteers in a youth group, as an adult literacy tutor, as an ESOL Buddy, as a peer mentor, in a community action group (and so many more areas!)? If so, did you know that Volunteers can register with CLDSC too? As long as they are delivering in a CLD context, they can join us to access all the member benefits e.g. learning and development opportunities, connecting with peers, borrow books/journals from university/college libraries across Scotland and much more!

Registration is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

  1. Go to the Registration page on i-develop
  2. Download and complete the Application form.
  3. Submit your form on i-develop.

Want to find out more about how your organisation’s volunteers can register? Email kirsty.gemmell@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk to arrange a chat.

i-develop

There are lots of resources available on i-develop for CLD volunteers and those supporting them.

In the Themes area, you’ll find the Volunteering in Community Learning and Development space. There’s information on the different types of volunteering people are doing, resources to help volunteers link to the CLDSC Ethics & Competences and a space for research reports on the deployment and impact of CLD volunteers.

And over on the ESOL Themes page, you’ll find the Volunteering in ESOL space. This space is very new, so doesn’t have lots of content yet. But if you have information you’d like to share, let us know and we’ll get it added to the space.

Both spaces have Discussion Forums for volunteers or coordinators where you can connect with others across Scotland.

Working with Scotland’s Communities – Messages about CLD volunteers

As part of this week’s spotlight on volunteers CLDSC have reviewed the 2018 CLD workforce survey focussing on what it tells us about CLD volunteers. One of the key findings of this report is that ‘Volunteers are a hugely valued part of the CLD workforce’. Volunteers are seen by practitioners and employers as a vital part of supporting communities and bring important skills and an understanding of communities. Have a look at the Messages about Volunteers report (PDF) to see what the report says about –
• How many CLD volunteers are there?
• How much time do CLD volunteers contribute to organisations?
• What do volunteers do?
• Are volunteers expected to have qualifications?
• Recruitment and development needs for volunteers
• Impact of reduction in size of paid CLD workforce
• Understanding the role of volunteers in the CLD sector

A community of volunteers?

This article in the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/may/26/uk-volunteering-coronavirus-crisis-community-lockdown highlights that “ten million UK adults have been volunteering in their community during the coronavirus crisis”. Will this growth in response to very immediate needs be sustained into longer-term change? CLD practitioners enable volunteers to develop themselves and work with others to develop their communities – now is the ideal time to demonstrate and promote this role!

Good practice documents – Volunteer Scotland website:

Volunteering for All: Our National Outcomes Framework – the Framework was developed by Scottish Government jointly with partners from the volunteer and community sector, local government and NHS, with academics social researcher, and with volunteers. It sets out a coherent and compelling narrative for volunteering and defines the key outcomes desired for volunteering in Scotland over the next 10 years.

A Volunteer Charter – sets out the 10 key principles for assuring legitimacy and preventing exploitation of workers and volunteers

Web and Social Media Links

A few useful webpages…..
www.volunteersweek.scot
www.volunteerscotland.net
www.scvo.org

Why not follow these folks on Twitter…..
@VolunteersWeek
@volunteerscot
@VolScotland
@volunteer_scot
@befriendingnet
@SCVOtweet
@TSIScotNet

Or check out the discussions on these Twitter hashtags…
#VolunteersWeekScot
#VolunteersWeek
#NeverMoreNeeded
#VolunteerAppreciation
#VolunteeringIs
#ThankYouVolunteers
#BecauseOfCLD

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 27 May 2020

CLD Practice Placement Guidance

We are continuing to work with partners to provide flexibility whilst ensuring that the CLD Standards are maintained. By liaising with colleges, universities, students, placement providers and partners across the UK who are responsible for approving CLD learning programmes, we aim to provide practical practice placement guidelines. Our most recent guidance and FAQ in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on practice placements can be found on the website.
It is well worth a read and if you have any further questions please submit them to contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk
As the guidance may be updated frequently please remember to check in now and again for further updates.

SQA Updates
In addition to placement guidance developments, we continue to engage with the Scottish Qualifications Authority regarding accreditation. The SQA recent updates on COVID-19 can be found on their website.
Like the CLD Standards Council, the SQA continuously updates their website so please remember to check websites for the most up-to-date guidance.

Education Scotland are holding 3 CLD themed webinars –

The webinars will be hosted through Google Meet.
Each meeting will last for 1 hour and will follow the same format-
• The National Context• Practice Sharing • Next Steps for future webinars.
Participants will be encouraged to share resources, questions, and feedback in the chat facility throughout the webinar. The chat content will then be shared with all participants.

DigiShift – Community Learning and Development (CLD) Digital

SCVO have organised a Zoom webinar open to all CLD professionals on making the shift to digital service delivery, supporting learners through tech and remote working with staff and volunteers.
Our own Dr Marion Allison will be one of the speakers.
This online event is taking place on Thursday 4 June from 2 till 3:30
Find out more and book your place.

College Expo 20

We’re delighted to be hosting a stall at the Virtual College Expo on 11 June 2020. The theme is: ‘The Future is Now: Learning from Lockdown’ and there are a range of seminars available as well as the stalls.
General information about the College Expo can be found on the CDN website
View the programme info as PDF.
Great to see a session on The Role of Adult Learning in Civic Recovery hosted by Mhairi Harrington, OBE and Nicola McAndrew CLD Policy Team Leader, Scottish Government.
If you’re involved in CLD in the College sector (or even if you’re not!), come along and say hello! #CollegeExpo20

Virtual Meet-Up #2

The CLD Response to COVID-19: Wave 2 Survey found that many members are using new digital platforms to reach adult learners, young people and communities – it seems we have closed the digital skills gap identified in the most recent CLD Workforce in just a few months! But this is not true for everyone – as the survey also found that comprehensive access to technology remains a challenge and we know that others are struggling to become comfortable with online communication where you don’t get the eye contact and non-verbal cues that we rely on for feedback.
So the topic for our next meet up at 1 pm Friday 12 June is Digitally Agile or Digitally Fragile? – how members can help each other make the most of new online opportunities. As with our first meet up we ask you to register your interest with Eventbrite.

Registration Renewal

Registration renewal is being rolled out to members who registered over 3 years ago. To renew you need to-

  • Reconfirm your commitment to the Values and Ethics
  • Confirm that you have undertaken an appropriate amount of relevant professional learning
  • Also, if you are no longer in active contact with your previous referee then you must provide a new referee.

If you are unable to complete your renewal at this time you can request a deferral. We are issuing individual email requests to renew in small batches, so if you have not received your request yet please don’t worry. However we are finding a few members have not kept us up to date with their email address. Unfortunately if we are unable to complete a renewal that membership will be suspended and eventually removed from the register. So please remind colleagues to make sure we have up to date contact details so we can contact them to renew.

Full details of requirements for renewal including advice on professional learning are available on the website.

And Finally …

Congratulations to Dr Stuart Moir, Moray House School of Education and Sport, The University of Edinburgh

Congratulations to our Approvals Committee member Dr Stuart Moir who successful defended his thesis “How Did Young Left Wing Political Activists Learn To Become Active And Critical Citizens?”

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 20 May 2020

Welcome to the weekly CLDSC bulletin

Survey on CLD Response to COVID-19: Wave 2

Thanks again to those who responded to our CLD survey in Wave 2. The data highlights that the CLD sector’s contribution and response to community need, learning and education, information and advice continues. People are delivering services face-to-face and engaging with young people, learners and communities on new digital platforms. Comprehensive access to technology remains a challenge and people are concerned about long term issues such as project funding and employment security. However, people are adapting to new roles, responsibilities and new ways of working, telling us that they are “really very proud to be part of CLD”. The full data analysis of Wave 2 will be available shortly.

CLD Buddies and PL Mentors

Thanks to those members who have come forward to do this. Before we can offer out this support, we still need a few more volunteers to become

  • CLD Buddies available for a chat or meet-up with those looking to talk through a situation or a challenge and to bounce ideas off someone
  • PL mentors to provide guidance and assistance, particularly for those who practise in more isolated contexts and in some cases to verify a member’s PL for re-registration purposes.

Please get in touch with us through contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk for more information.

Virtual Meet-Up #1 Feedback

Thanks so much to all of you (over 50!) who participated in our very first Virtual Meet-Up last week. There was a great atmosphere in the ‘room’ and it was fabulously organised and hosted by CLDSC members Kevin Ditcham and Jenni Snell.

The theme was Relationships and key points coming out of the session include:

  • The Covid-19 situation has enabled CLD practitioners to meet, work with and get to know people from within and across sectors they previously wouldn’t have had the opportunity to engage with.
  • The digital divide has been amplified, but the innovation and creativity of CLD practitioners is helping to bridge the gap.
  • Social distancing has enabled virtual connectedness – especially for CLD practitioners in more rural/remote areas.
  • Oh yes, and there’s a definite sense of Virtual Quiz Fatigue across the country

So what next? Well, a poll of those attending told us that 100% want to do it again – so we will! We will establish monthly Virtual Meet-Ups which will be theme based and led by you, the CLDSC Membership. The next Meet-Up will be Friday 12 June, topic and further details will be issued soon. #BecauseOfCLD

Supporting Communities Safely – Advice for community groups, organisations and volunteer networks

SCDC has published a new resource to support community organisations to carry out their vital work safely during the Covid-19 outbreak. SCDC has worked with colleagues at Public Health Scotland to produce advice, and Health Protection Scotland have checked the technical content in detail to reinforce confidence in its messages.

This free, online resource provides up to date and accurate information that will help volunteers, community groups and networks to continue to deliver vital support in the safest way possible including:

  • How to safely promote an organisation’s services
  • Keeping volunteers safe and fit to provide services
  • How to get help with complex care needs
  • Safely collecting and delivering items
  • How to cook and transport hot meals

The resource information is available on the SCDC website

Education Scotland Big CLD Blether – 28 May 3-4 pm

Education Scotland are holding a virtual event for CLD Practitioners where they can connect online in a safe space to discuss issues they are working through and, where relevant, to share resources or to highlight interesting practice.
The broad themes for discussion at this meeting will be:

  • Theme 1 – Operational challenges – eg Redeployment or furloughing of CLD staff; transferring CLD services online etc.
  • Theme 2 – Engagement and learning – what’s working well?
  • Theme 3 – Supporting the health and wellbeing of CLD participants and staff.
  • Theme 4 – Looking forward – CLD engagement after the lockdown.

Participants will be asked to submit a question/key topic within these themes when they register, to generate the conversation.
Find further information and registration on the Education Scotland site.

Mental Health Awareness Week 18 – 24 May 2020

“focusing on the power and potential of kindness. We think it could be the most important week we’ve hosted, not least because our own research shows that protecting our mental health is going to be central to us coping with and recovering from the coronavirus pandemic – with the psychological and social impacts likely to outlast the physical symptoms of the virus.”

Mark Rowland Chief Executive
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

What better time therefore to show yourself some kindness and put your CLD Code of Ethics into practice Ethic number 12 – Self-care should be considered very important at this time.
Self-care: We will work to ensure CLD practice is consistent with the safety, health and wellbeing of CLD practitioners.
When the world is a strange old place and every day seems to bring a different challenge it is vitally important to take care of your own well-being. If we don’t take the time to focus on our own wellbeing will we be able to help/support others to the best of our ability?

STOPP – gives some hints and tips but just thinking in our heads “STOP” may work! And breathe …
WAIT – Give ourselves a time out – could be a coffee (other beverages are available), a bar of chocolate, a walk, some mediation; the options are endless and only you will know what will work for you.
Go You – Hopefully that little bit of kindness to yourself will give you some new found energy to tackle the next thing on the list!

And remember other people could benefit from Ethic 12 Self-care so have a chat with someone and remind them that they too need to consider Self-care.

Full details of the other ethics can be found on the CLD Standards Council website.

P.S.
If you would like to receive this bulletin direct to your inbox you could register as a member. Register on i-develop http://www.i-develop-cld.org.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=1616

CLDSC Member bulletin – 13 May 2020

Welcome to CLD Standards Council Weekly Member Bulletin.
Read on for the latest news and updates.

Wave 2 of the CLD Response to COVID-19 Survey

The second wave of the survey will close on the 17 May (that is this Sunday).

Whether you responded to wave 1 or not, please take the time to contribute to wave 2.
Please complete the survey here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/6R65JN/

Please also pass the link on to any CLD colleagues. We really appreciate your support with this task at this busy time.

The CLD Standards Council has asked practitioners to complete the short survey to gather information and examples on the CLD Response to COVID-19. The survey is open to collect a second wave of information to build the picture over time.
The results from the first wave of the survey to the 19 April 2020 have been collected and you can find the report on the CLDSC website.
A helpful article to read alongside the Wave 1 survey responses has been published in The Lancet. The article notes that “Community participation is essential in the collective response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), from compliance with lockdown, to the steps that need to be taken as countries ease restrictions, to community support through volunteering.
Read the Lancet article.

Virtual Meet-up: Creating Connections, Reinforcing Relationships

The first Virtual meet-up for CLDSC members will take place this Friday 15 May from 12 till 1pm.
We hope it will be a valuable opportunity to explore relationships, what they mean for us, and build new ones among members.
The invite to the virtual meet-up sent out last week has been very popular, but there are still a few places available.
Please be aware we will be using Zoom for the met-up in this instance. We know this is not an option for all, but for the moment it seems to be the easiest most commonly used option.
Meeting joining instructions will be sent once we confirm membership.

We look forward to seeing you!

Directory of Free professional learning courses

We are creating a directory of free online courses that are relevant to CLD practice and the roles CLD practitioners are undertaking.
The first entries to the directory have been curated from the vast array of courses available on the Open University’s OpenLearn site and cover CLD related topics such as Partnership Working, Social and Political Influences on Communities and Financial Management. The directory includes short pieces of learning from 2 hours up to 24 hours of study with levels ranging from SCQF 6-11.

Access the directory on i-develop

We hope to develop the directory over time and would be grateful for any recommendations you have for additions.

Volunteering in ESOL Good Practice Framework – Survey and Case Studies

Glasgow ESOL Forum is leading a steering group of ESOL volunteer coordinators from across Scotland to develop a National Framework of Good Practice in Working with Volunteers in ESOL. CLDSC is involved in the steering group. If you support volunteers in ESOL delivery, we’d be grateful if you could ask them to share their opinions on what makes a good volunteering placement, specifically in working with ESOL learners, by completing the survey.

The purpose of the Framework will be to support projects and organisations (in all sectors) who are working with volunteers with examples of good practice so that they can ensure a positive volunteering experience and therefore a positive learning experience for the ESOL learners you support.

We also hope that the framework will highlight the great work volunteers do in supporting ESOL learners. We have developed themes following the journey of a volunteer, focused on the needs of the learner throughout, and Good Practice Goals for each theme.

We are looking for short case studies (300 words) to bring the goals to life and would like examples from all over Scotland, from projects of all sizes. We would like to invite you to consider your work and aspects of it you would like to share in the framework for others to learn from. If you would like to submit a case study, you can complete the the proforma online. Guidance for compiling case studies is located on i-develop: Case Study Guidelines. We would like case studies to be with us by May 26th, where possible.

A discussion forum has been created on i-develop: Volunteering in ESOL. There are sections for both volunteer coordinators and volunteers and you can find the Draft Framework Good Practice Goals.

Carnegie UK Trust Wellbeing Blogs

Carnegie UK Trust seeks to improve the lives and wellbeing of people throughout the UK, particularly those who are disadvantaged, by influencing public policy and innovative practice and partnerships.
Many of the issues it works on, and the partners and groups it works with, are deeply affected by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Over the coming weeks they will be sharing a series of blogs with reflections and questions across these different aspects of wellbeing.

Read the Carnegie UK Trust Wellbeing Blogs

CLDSC Member bulletin – 6 May 2020

Latest news and updates –

Scottish Government – Working together to respond to COVID-19

Last week, Mr Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, wrote to all CLD organisations and employers with an update on the Scottish Government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis across the CLD, college and university sectors.

The letter included information about the high level leadership group that has been that has been established. Our chair, Alan Sherry OBE is a member of this group, representing the interests of the CLD sector. To inform this work, Alan also chairs the national CLD stakeholder reference group. The CLD Standards Council is represented on the group by Alan and Dr Marion Allison.
View the full letter from Mr Lochhead.

The CLD Response to COVID-19: report on survey results from wave 1 available

The CLD Standards Council asked practitioners to complete a short survey to gather information and examples on the CLD Response to COVID-19. The results from the first wave of the survey to the 19 April 2020 have been collected and you can find the survey report on the CLDSC website.

It highlights that “the workforce has been resilient, agile and quick to respond to young people, learners and community needs with practitioners being an essential link between people and Council, College, Community and Government, and delivering, enabling or co-ordinating services such as digital skills, health advice, utilities access, community resources, welfare / employment rights, governance, befriending, food / medicine distribution, mental health support, community cohesion, education and learning. Key to this role has been CLD practitioners’ access and knowledge of local communities and networks. Data showed that services are being directed towards at risk and / or vulnerable young people, families and community members with examples of people working with addictions, homeless, BAME, refugees / asylum seekers and disabled communities”. It recommends actions for CLD partnerships to support the essential role being undertaken by CLD practitioners.

….And please respond to Wave 2 of the survey

The survey is open to collect a second wave of information to build the picture over time. Whether you responded to wave 1 or not, please take the time to contribute to wave 2.
Please complete the survey online.
Please also pass this link on to any CLD colleagues. We really appreciate your support with this task at this busy time.

Could you be a CLD Buddy or PL Mentor?

Linked to proposals for informal CLD Meet Ups and the Virtual Meet Up referred to last week is an offer from some of our experienced/retired members to provide informal support to colleagues at an earlier stage in their CLD practice. They would become CLD Buddies available for a chat or meet-up to those looking to talk through a situation or a challenge and to bounce ideas off someone.
Running alongside this, the Professional Learning and Registration Committees have identified the need for mentors to provide guidance and, particularly for those who practice in more isolated contexts, to verify a member’s PL for re-registration purposes.
Are you that experienced, retired, approaching retirement CLDSC member who could be a CLD Buddy, PL Mentor or both? Please get in touch with us through contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk for more information.

College Development Network free webinars

CDN have partnered up with Jisc to deliver the Virtual Bridge sessions, a series of daily (Tuesday – Friday) webinars that bring together the EdTech-enthused communities in Scotland and Northern Ireland to share stories and expertise during these challenging times. The sessions cover a wide variety of topics and last half an hour. All of the webinars will be delivered online and the recordings will be made available afterwards so you can watch any you were unable to take part in.
View the Further information on the virtual bridge webinars and Programme of future sessions
The webinar recordings can be watched back on CDN’s YouTube channel.

Skills Development Scotland helpline and support

The PACE helpline 0800 917 8000 is being made available for people worried about the short-term impact of COVID-19 on their employment. This includes employees, those facing redundancy, under furlough, unemployed, pupils and parents.
There is new support including a jobs portal and links to free on line learning

Evaluating at a distance

We were bowled over by the response to “wave 1” of our survey that aims to bring together information on how CLD is meeting the COVID19 challenge. It was great that so many of you made the time to record and share what you are doing – hopefully even more of you will do this in wave 2 in May! Evaluation Support Scotland have developed resources for “evaluating at a distance”. The message is:
“In these tough times, remember to:
• Keep your evaluation simple
• Celebrate your success
• Record your learning“

It’s never been more important to record and evaluate, and to do it in a way that fits into and supports your work.

Best wishes
CLD Standards Council

The CLD Response to COVID-19: survey results from wave 1

The CLD Standards Council asked practitioners to complete a short survey to gather information and examples on the CLD Response to COVID-19. The results from the first wave of the survey to the 19 April 2020 have now been collected.

Wave 1 Findings Report (PDF)Download

The report highlights that “the workforce has been resilient, agile and quick to respond to young people, learners and community needs with practitioners being an essential link between people and Council, College, Community and Government, and delivering, enabling or co-ordinating services such as digital skills, health advice, utilities access, community resources, welfare / employment rights, governance, befriending, food / medicine distribution, mental health support, community cohesion, education and learning. Key to this role has been CLD practitioners’ access and knowledge of local communities and networks. Data showed that services are being directed towards at risk and / or vulnerable young people, families and community members with examples of people working with addictions, homeless, BAME, refugees / asylum seekers and disabled communities”. It recommends actions for CLD partnerships to support the essential role being undertaken by CLD practitioners.

Data from Wave 1 of Survey (Excel Spreadsheet)Download

Subsequent wave results

The fourth wave of the survey

Wave 4 was closed on the 31 July. We are now analysing the data and considering how to best present the findings form the survey so far and to capture CLD practitioners’ experiences and impact in the next stages of recovery.

Scottish Government – Working together to respond to COVID-19

Last week, Mr Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, wrote to all CLD organisations and employers with an update on the Scottish Government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis across the CLD, college and university sectors.

The letter included information about the high level leadership group that has been established. Our chair, Alan Sherry OBE is a member of this group, representing the interests of the CLD sector. To inform this work, Alan also chairs the national CLD stakeholder reference group. The CLD Standards Council is represented on the group by Alan and Dr Marion Allison.

Full Text of letter from Mr LochheadDownload

CLDSC Member’s bulletin – 29 April 2020

Welcome to this weeks Members’ bulletin. We hope you’re all safe and well. Thank you for your continued support and we hope you’re finding these weekly updates useful at this time. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dave Beck at the University of Glasgow who successfully defended his doctoral thesis via Zoom this week. Well done to Dr Beck.
Please keep in touch and let us know if you have any articles you would wish to highlight.

The CLD Response to COVID-19 – Seeking your views

Please remember to complete the second wave of the survey, whether you responded to wave 1 or not. We would like to encourage third sector practitioners to respond if they can so we have a fully balanced view across the sector. The information you are providing will be important for the healthy future of CLD.
Please complete the survey here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/6R65JN/
Please also pass this link on to any CLD colleagues. We really appreciate your support with this task at this busy time. The results and analysis of Wave 1 data will be available shortly.

CLD Virtual Meet Ups

The CLDSC is keen to progress a proposal from members to establish ‘CLD Meet Ups’ for CLD practitioners to come together informally to share experiences and challenges. Now seems like the right time to get this up and running using digital platforms, to put in place additional member support.
As well as identifying the amazing achievements of CLD practitioners, the CLDSC Covid-19 survey has identified a number of challenges facing us. Each week we will set up virtual meetings focusing on one of these issues. The first CLD Virtual Meet Up will be on Friday 15 May at 12 – 1 pm.
Please put this in your diary. The topic for discussion and joining instructions will be included in next week’s newsletter.

Learning Link Scotland virtual network meeting to talk about Adult Learning and COVID-19

Learning Link Scotland are inviting adult learning practitioners to share information on how everyone is responding to the crisis and look at ways we can all support each other and find the right support from elsewhere.
The virtual meeting is on Wednesday 6th May from 11.00 – 12.00 by Zoom.
Full details and registration link can be found on the Learning Links Scotland website – http://www.learninglinkscotland.org.uk/2020/04/27/join-us-to-talk-about-adult-learning-and-covid-19/

Equalities, Homelessness and Covid-19

The Homeless Network Scotland have published a new framework document considering the impacts of Covid-19 on homelessness in Scotland. They hope that the framework can assist and signpost local authority, housing, health and third sector partners, and act as a useful guide to help direct local policy, activity and resource during the pandemic and in its aftermath.
Find out more and view the framework on the Homeless networks website – https://homelessnetwork.scot/2020/04/26/inequality-homelessness-covid-19/

Zoom fatigue

If you are finding yourself worn out from Video conferencing while working from home you may find this article interesting –
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/04/coronavirus-zoom-fatigue-is-taxing-the-brain-here-is-why-that-happens/

TES Professional Learning Opportunity

If you are looking for useful reading material, remember that your CLD Standards Council Membership gives you free online access to TES magazine. Details are available in the Members benefit page on i-develop. But you will need to login to access this.
Email us at contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk if you have lost your username or password and are having difficulty resetting.

CLDSC Members’ Bulletin – 22 April 2020

Work continues for the CLD Standards Council and we have a virtual Committee meeting planned for next week. We are also still processing registrations and registration renewals online and by email, so this might be an ideal time to look out that certificate from the attic or get some Professional Learning done online – see the free classes item below.

CLD practitioners rise to the COVID 19 challenge

The 163 replies to “wave 1” of the CLDSC survey of the CLD response to COVID19 provide a fantastic demonstration of how CLD practitioners across the country are rising to the challenge. A huge thank you to everyone who took part.

From working with communities to coordinate the work of volunteers, to hands-on roles, CLD practitioners are playing a vital role in ensuring supplies of food and other essentials to people who are isolated or at risk of harm; they are providing learning opportunities for young people, adults and families; they are keeping people of all ages in touch and connected, online, by phone and in person where appropriate and possible; they are ensuring that ESOL learners have access to COVID19 related information while continuing to support their learning. CLD practitioners across all roles – adult learning, youth work and community development – are supporting community, family and individual resilience in a multitude of ways.

Some responses also suggest that not all employers are deploying their CLD practitioners to the best advantage. Some practitioners may be taking on duties where there is additional risk. These are issues that the CLDSC will explore further.

Many thanks to CLDSC members and others for responding to the survey and providing a wealth of information. We will be feeding back to you in detail, and using the information to highlight to decision-makers the essential role that CLD practitioners are playing – and the support that you deserve.

We will be launching wave 2 of the survey early in May. We are seeking to reach as many CLD practitioners as possible, both members of the CLDSC and non-members. Whether you responded to wave 1 or not, please take the time to contribute to wave 2, and pass the survey on to colleagues: the information you are providing will be important for the healthy future of CLD that is needed.

EPALE Interviews with adult education providers and professionals from across the UK.

During their Upskilling Pathways: Implications for the Adult Learning Workforce 2019 conference EPALE recorded interviews with a range of adult learning professionals, including our own Dr Marion Allison. The interviews are now available to watch online –
https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/blog/upskilling-pathways-epale-uk-2019-conference-interviews

Free classes in online safety

Lead Scotland are hosting classes on Zoom over the next few months to help people to use the internet confidently and safely during COVID-19. Everyone is welcome to attend.
In these webinars, you’ll cover ways you can help support others to be safe online during the Coronavirus. Each webinar will give the same advice so you only need to attend one.
For more info: https://www.lead.org.uk/covid-19-information/

Informing funders about the needs of community organisations

The Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) is exploring what funders can do to assist community organisations as they cope with the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. Initial results of their of the views of community groups are here:
https://www.scdc.org.uk/news/article/2020/3/23/what-community-organisations-are-telling-us-about-their-covid-19-responses

The only ways is Ethics …

We are currently refreshing the Ethical Practice Competent Practitioners Learning Resource and are looking for additional materials to complement it, such as case studies/examples of the ethics being used in practice. It doesn’t have to be in the form of a poem like the one below which makes reference to the CLD competences, values and ethics but it could be!
Please send anything you think might be relevant to contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk

Courtesy of John Harkins and the University of the West of Scotland –

C.L.D. by John Harkins Achieving good CLD competency, Is the goal for all students just like you and me. Working with communities can be real demanding, It helps to have knowledge and a good understanding. Build good relationships, rally the troops, Empowering people, individuals and groups. Self-determination for communities, really is great, Bring citizens together and help facilitate. Projects and programmes, equal and diverse, You should know the values, by chapter and verse. In a leadership role, you can develop and support, Mind you'll probably be asked to produce a report. Collaborative joint working deserves a wee mention, Remember partnerships can foster conflict and tension. Remove barriers to learning whatever your location, Opportunities and benefits for lifelong education. Using theorists and quotes can make you sound eloquent, In a wide range of contexts in learning and development. Evidence based practice should be the norm, Research, analyse, evaluate and inform. Yes 3rd year is over, you should be well read, Update your CV with a BA in Com Ed. Returning in September, might give you the fear, Hard work to gain Honours, in the 4th year. Now you've developed your practice to critically reflect, What type of practitioners can communities expect? y own personal view... They'll get some of the best, The students from Lanarkshire’s… UWS.