Conference address: Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP
Key sessions: ‘Sex, drugs and CLD’
Open Space Shape Shifter

29 March 2017
Registration from 09:00, conference close 15:30

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Glasgow Central
Cambridge Street, Glasgow, G2 3HN, United Kingdom

Register here – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SHAPE17
Registration closes 10 February 2017

The CLD Standards Council has been working with  students, practitioners and learning providers to develop guidelines for Practice Placements in CLD.   We would now like feedback on this first version to ensure the tone and the content of the Guidelines reflects the needs of the CLD field.

Background to development of the Guidelines

In 2013 a group of over 60 Students, practitioners, learning providers and employers met in Glasgow to participate in what was a very enthusiastic discussion around the Place of CLD Professional Practice in Scotland.  CLD Standards Council for Scotland committed to capturing discussions from that day and a working group including various representatives from Universities, Colleges, students, third sector and employers met a few times a year to progress the work and create the guidelines.
CLD Standards Council would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of the working group in getting this important document to this stage.

The guidelines

This is the first version of Guidelines for Professional Practice Placement in Community Learning and Development

Guidelines document for consultation

Consultation

We are now seeking feedback on this first version to ensure the tone and the content of the Guidelines reflects the needs of the CLD field.  You will find that the working group have included dialogue boxes within the Guidelines to give you an opportunity to reflect on the content and to consider if the information included is relevant and appropriate for the CLD field.  This is your opportunity to contribute to the guidelines before they are formally published.  Your comments on the dialogue boxes can be inserted via the survey link below.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RG6RPJ7
Please provide comments on this document by 27 January 2017.

Next Steps

Following publication the next step will be to consider how the CLD field supports the Guidelines and ensures that they are incorporated into the everyday life of Professional Practice Placement in Community Learning and Development.

The CLD Standards Council have been appointed in partnership with Skills Active UK, to engage with CLD professional practitioners and work to review the Community Development Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ). Presently, there are two Community Development SVQs: Level 2 and Level 3. Both need to be refreshed alongside the associated National Occupational Standards.

A working group of key stakeholders has been established to revamp the content and structure for each SVQ. The revised qualifications are likely to cover similar topics included in the current qualifications, but they have been re-packaged, updated and include some additional optional and mandatory units.

We are keen that professional CLD practitioners have the opportunity to contribute to shaping this qualification to ensure that those working within the CLD sector develop the knowledge and skills required to demonstrate competence in the profession.

You can find additional detail of the proposed revised structure and content and give your feedback through this short survey –

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WFHBJTX

The Survey will close by 23rd January 2017.

Please share this link with your networks.

Information on how to deliver these qualifications and become an approved centre is available from the SQA – http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/74661.html

Day-light,  a commodity in short supply at this time of year. However, when natural light fades, Christmas lights and candles brighten our world demonstrating that when resources diminish in one area, need, creativity and determination invents something other.  This sentiment echoes recent developments in the CLD Standards Council as we continue to secure, strengthen and grow our people and our partnerships.

In October, our Chair Ashley Pringle met with Ms Shirley-Ann Somerville MSP, whose Ministerial portfolio includes CLD, providing her with a briefing on the work of the CLD Standards Council. In a discussion that ranged over a range of policy issues affecting the CLD sector, Ashley was heartened to hear from the Minister that our work is appreciated and seen to be making a valued contribution.

Members will know that the Scottish Government is hosting a consultation programme regarding Education in Scotland.  Thank you to all who recently shared their views and they are now being compiled for submission before the deadline date. However, the big news of the moment is the review of how the CLD Standards Council is governed.  The Executive Committee has appointed a governance sub-group who have been working hard with partners, including Education Scotland, and are presently giving due consideration to various options including the CLD Standards Council forming  a company limited by guarantee.  Agreed proposals will be winging their way to your inbox in the New Year so you as Members can have your say on the matter.

Our partnerships continue to grow and strengthen and the team and I have been supporting Community Planning Partnerships and Local Authority employers all over the country with CLD workforce engagement.  I was delighted to talk about equality and inclusion at the CLD Managers Scotland conference and share the CLD approach with the corporate world at the Global Entrepreneurial Leaders event with Wildhearts and Royal Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh.  Closer to home, working with Education Scotland colleagues to deliver Associate Assessor training for the new inspection framework is beginning to bear fruit as  membership continues to grow at  a steady rate, aided by improvements to the registration process.

Recently we were delighted to congratulate Jim Sweeney, Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland and a long standing member of our Executive Committee on being awarded an M.B.E for services to young people.  Best wishes also to Robert Hynd of South Lanarkshire Council, of our Approvals Committee on being appointed as Chair of CLD Managers’ Scotland.  Huge thanks goes to Maggie Paterson formerly of Inverclyde Council who is giving her time to consider volunteers and the CLD Standards Council and congratulations to Graeme McMeekin of the Scottish School of Christian Mission on becoming Vice Chair of the Approvals Committee.  Our team continues to evolve and January will send a fond farewell to Jim Ross, Team Support and bring a warm welcome back to Lindsay Jane Brown in this role. We are also very excited about Kirsty Gemmell, formerly of Dundee City Council taking up the new role of Members’ Services Development Officer.  Congratulations must also go to Community Links in Clydebank on gaining the CLD Standards Mark.  If your organisation delivers professional CLD training book a spot at the February Standards Mark event in Edinburgh to find out more.  This road show is proving popular so book your place by emailing contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk
Just as project CLD e-reader, a compilation book of CLD theory and practice is concluded and ready for launch, new work arrived in the form of the review of the Community Development SVQ award. So, in the New Year if you feel the need to discuss matters like this with fellow CLD professionals in your area, look out for forthcoming training events delivered by the CLD Regional Networks which are being funded by the CLD Standards Council.  More information will be available after the holidays.

Regardless of the outcomes of all of these developments and consultations, one thing is for certain. 2017 will be a pivotal year in the evolution of the CLD Standards Council.  The team and I look forward to meeting with you all at our Shape Your Future Conference on Wednesday 29th March 2017 in Glasgow.  Sex, drugs and the Adult Statement of Ambition? This is definitely an event that you don’t want to miss! Follow me on Twitter @marionacldsc for more news and updates.

Finally, I would like to thank you all for your continued support and contributions to the game-changing profession that is CLD. Your commitment and approach to working with and for the young people and communities of Scotland to improve and change lives is what truly shines a light on possibilities and aspirations.  So, on behalf of the CLD Standards Council Scotland I wish you all a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Marion

Marion Allison
Head of the CLD Standards Council Scotland

We are pleased to announce that we have a new streamlined registration application process.

The membership requirements have not changed but the process of application has been simplified.

The new process requires only a single step to submit the new application form and create an i-develop account.   This should make applying for membership far simpler,  and will also reduce administrative processing for the Standards Council staff.

The processes for those upgrading from associate to full member and where an applicant already has an i-develop account have also been revised accordingly.

See the new registration page on http://www.i-develop-cld.org.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=1616

The Approvals Panel felt that the submission from Community Links Scotland was very strong and highlighted some interesting approaches to learning.

It was very clear from reading the different parts of the submission and taking it as a whole that there is a good grounding in CLD.

The panel were impressed with the links made to related professions and the opportunities taken to explore the similarities.  It was also heartening to see good examples of evaluation in practice and the commitment to making changes as a result of feedback.

The panel would like to commend  Community Links Scotland for the approach they take on offering placement to the workforce.

Period of approval:  from November 2016 for three years

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) is now 15 years old and this provides an excellent opportunity to understand the impact that the SCQF is having across Scotland.

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership and the University of Glasgow Training and Employment Research Unit, have developed a short, anonymous online survey with the aim to understand people’s awareness and use of the SCQF and the impact it is having. It is also an opportunity to comment on your engagement with the SCQF partnership if appropriate.

The survey is available here – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SCQFImpact

The survey will take no more than 10 minutes to complete and is designed so that everyone can complete it: school pupils, students, parents, school, college and university staff, training providers, career advisers, employers, professional bodies, government, and national agencies.
If you have any questions about the research, please contact Julie Cavanagh at SCQF (j.cavanagh@scqf.org.uk).

Please share this information and survey link via your networks and with colleagues, learners, friends and family.

The closing date for completion is Friday 9 December

The CLD Standards Council has 8 places for members or associate members to attend the Micro-Tyco Future Talent Forum.

The event will be held from 6 to 8 pm on 26th October 2016. Venue is 29 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow.

The forum is aimed at students or practitioners at the start of their careers. There will be a CV workshop and advice on creating a Linkedin Profile including getting a headshot photograph for your profile. Further details below.

If you would like to apply for one of the 8 Standards Council places please register your interest before 23rd of October. Register here.

There will also be a panel answering questions at the event so if you would like to submit a question please include this on your request.

Whether you are at school, university or your first job, turbo-charge your career at a Micro-Tyco Future Talent Forum

Future Talent Forums are the latest entrepreneurial events from WildHearts, providing school pupils, students and young professionals with Micro-Tyco’s three key components – inspiration, knowledge and networks – whilst connecting companies to the talent of the future.

During the event attendees will have the chance to pose questions to the panel of Talent and HR professionals from leading firms, drawing out their career advice and top tips. There will also be the chance to learn more about the award winning enterprise programme Micro-Tyco and network with both peers and potential employers.
Hosted by Micro-Tyco partners Deloitte, the next Future Talent Forum panel will feature:

• Laura Stein, Director of HR, Barclays
• Iain Mitchell, Project Development Officer, University of Strathclyde
• TBC

This year, Barclays are offering an interactive element to the event. Attendees will take part in a CV workshop giving them invaluable advice on developing their CV. Also, there will be advice on creating a LinkedIn profile and a chance to get a headshot taken for LinkedIn profiles.

The conference will take place on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 October 2016 in the Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld.

The Theme for the Conference is
‘The Role of Community Learning and Development in creating a fairer Scotland’

The aim is to explore some of the key principles and approaches CLD should consider when:

• Addressing health inequalities
• Tackling poverty through promoting employment and minimising the impact of welfare reform
• Empowering communities – engaging and developing the capacity of local people
• Closing the attainment gap – promoting equality through learning

The conference will be of interest to staff and managers involved in all sectors of community learning and development, including Local Authority Services, Further Education, Community Planning, Voluntary and Third Sector Organisations
See programme outline: [fac_icon icon=”file-pdf-o” color=”#392D43″ font_size=”18px”] CLDMS Conference Leaflet

Bookings are now live and can be made by clicking: online booking form

Places at the full conference, including dinner, meals and overnight accommodation, cost £180. The day delegate rate, including lunch is £75. Further information is available in the booking form.

Please make your booking as soon as possible.

Following a joint approval visit with CLD Standards Council and NYA (National Youth Agency) England  we are pleased to announce that the Nazarene Theological College have obtained a 5 year approval for the BA(Hons) Theology (Youth and Community).

This programme is delivered in Scotland by Scottish School of Christian Mission.

The Panel were very impressed by the commitment of the delivery team to the programme and were pleased to note that there was very clear mapping to the National Occupational Standards and also that CLD values and principles came across very clearly in the programme content.  This programme will add enhanced value to the CLD agenda and the range of faith based qualifications in England.

This visit was completed using JETS (Joint Education Training Standards) Approval Guidelines.  JETS is a co-operative Scheme of the UK & Ireland Joint ETS administered by its members: ETS (England), ETS (Wales), the North-South ETS (All Ireland), and CLD Standards Council for Scotland.   The primary responsibilities of JETS is to validate and endorse courses leading to professional qualification in  youth work (and for CLD in Scotland) in their respective jurisdictions.
Programmes validated/endorsed in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England for Youth and Community Work have mutual recognition arrangements in place so if a programme is recognised as professional status in one UK nation it will be recognised in all through processes agreed by the Joint Education Training Standards Committee (JETS).