CLDSC Member Bulletin – 03 November 2021

CLDSC CONFERENCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

It’s that time of year again – no, not the Christmas countdown, the CLD Standards Council Member Conference countdown! 

Over the afternoon of 2 December (1pm-4.30pm) and the morning of 3 December (9.30am-1pm) we’ll focus on Covid-19 Recovery: CLD Identity, Support & Wellbeing. Using the framework of the four harms (Health – Covid; Health – non-Covid; Society; Economy), identified by Scottish Government, we will consider the impact of and support requirements for our professional CLD practice in the recovery phase.  

We’ll be using Zoom as the conference platform and our friends at SCVO are dealing with booking administration, so book your place at the CLDSC Member Conference. And don’t forget to follow and comment on Twitter #CLDSCConf2021.

Congratulations to Alan Sherry, OBE

We’re delighted to congratulate our Chair, Alan Sherry, on receiving his OBE for Services to Education at Windsor Castle last week. Well-deserved recognition of his hard work and continued commitment to our sector.

Leading CLD Professional Learning Programme

We are excited to promote the Leading CLD professional learning programme. Working alongside Education Scotland colleagues, we have developed this programme for CLD leaders who play a pivotal role in establishing collaborative approaches to support recovery and renewal. The content of the programme has been developed with participation and support from senior CLD managers and colleagues from the Higher and Further Education sectors.

Participants will engage in professional learning and reflect on their current CLD role. Programme design is based on the experience participants bring, the knowledge of experts/academics; and, collaborative activities to develop new knowledge. 

The programme will be of most interest to senior local authority managers responsible for CLD services, who have identified CLD leadership as an area for professional development. (This includes managers with no, or little previous experience of CLD; and those interested in developing their leadership capital and professional network). 

We would now like to welcome initial expressions of interest for the pilot phase of the programme. The pilot programme will run from the end of January to May, and will include four x 1 day sessions. Interested individuals are invited to contact Susan.Epsworth@educationscotland.gov.scot to learn more, and/or to register interest through MS Form by close of business on Friday 19th November. Following initial registrations of interest there will be a second stage in the application process to formally apply for the 20 places available. 

‘Pause, Take Stock, Reconsider’ Resource

Over the summer Dundee City Council staff took part in a webinar led by Professor Karen McArdle. The webinar brought people together post Covid crisis work, to think about the way forward and build on lessons learned.

The recording and padlets created are now available to view on the Tayside and Fife Professional Learning Alliance pages on i-develop.

TAG Conference, 11-12 November 2021 – Free Places Available

TAG: The Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work is a member organisation that represents the interests of academics, educators and researchers in the field of youth and community work. CLDSC is an Affiliate Member of TAG and as such, we’re delighted to offer four free places to our members to attend the annual TAG Conference. This year’s theme is Reflection, Recovery and Regeneration: Learning from the lived experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The conference will include discussion of how pedagogical approaches to education in youth and community work are challenged by the re-shaping of Higher Education after two years of interrupted learning and shifts towards digitally-led pedagogy. The future also presents particular challenges and opportunities for youth and community work as a distinct professional practice as we seek to recover and regenerate in our work with young people and their communities. Furthermore, it is clear how the pandemic has highlighted the health, wealth and social inequalities across society and the ‘patterns of change’ that appear to repeat themselves at times of national crisis. The conference will explore these questions through seminar presentations, research dissemination and group discussions that share emerging practice, debate emerging realities and plan for future collaboration.

If you would like to attend, please email contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk

SERA Conference 2021

The Scottish Educational Research Association (SERA) Conference Week 2021 takes place from 22-25 November 2021, with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 25 November 2021. To mark the 2021 conference the SERA Networks will host four days of online events from 22-25 November on the theme of International Themes in Educational Research. You can find out what’s on and book a place on the SERA conference website.

All events will be recorded, with recordings published on the SERA YouTube channel after the conference. 

Reminder – National Youth Work Awards Nominations

Don’t forget to submit your nominations for the National Youth Work Awards. CLDSC is proud to sponsor the Team of the Year category. Please submit and give the judging panel lots to think about in this and all other categories! 
Download the National Youth Work Awards nomination form (PDF)
Download the National Youth Work Awards guidance and criteria (PDF)
The deadline for nominations is 5pm on 25 November 2021.

SCQF Workshops

Registrations are now open for December’s SCQF for Careers Information & Guidance Staff workshop on 2 December 2021, 10am-12pm. This online workshop will introduce participants to the SCQF and look at how CIAG staff can encourage learners to recognise their achievements and plan their next steps in learning or employment.
 
There are also a very limited number of places available on November’s My Skills, My Future workshop on 25 November 2021, 10am-3pm. 

World Community Development Conference 2022

The 2022 World Community Development Conference will take place from 20 – 22 June 2022 in Ureki, Georgia.  

It is hoped that WCDC2022 will take place face-to-face with people coming together in person. However, since the future of international travel remains uncertain, the main events at the WCDC2022 will also be held in virtual formats allowing a maximum number of people to share their ideas, research, visions and findings in community development theory and practice.

In the first instance, delegates are invited to register for virtual participation and indicate interest in taking part face-to-face if conditions allow. In January 2022, the planning committee will review travel regulations and notify delegates if an in-person conference is possible and offer the opportunity to upgrade tickets at that point.  Register for virtual participation on the WCD2022 website.

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 27 October 2021

CLD Standards Council Conference

Coming soon to a screen near you!  We asked you a couple of months ago to save the dates (2nd [afternoon] and 3rd December [morning] 2021) for our annual conference. We’ve been pulling the content of the day together and can now confirm our virtual conference theme is Covid Recovery – CLD Identity, Support and Wellbeing. Registration will open in the next couple of weeks. Watch this space! 

Share, Sustain, Shape Professional Learning Events 

The CLD professional learning networks across Scotland have created 5 weeks of free professional learning events during November and December which are open to all CLD practitioners. You can find out what’s on and how to register on the Share, Sustain, Shape events page.

CLD Practice in National Voluntary Organisations – Event Reminder

If you are a CLD practitioner working or volunteering for a national voluntary organisation and would like to take part in a conversation about what would inspire others from your organisation to identify with and be part of the CLD community, we have the event for you! Join us on 3 November from 11am–1pm, where we will explore awareness raising opportunities to highlight the value of CLDSC membership and identify how to support CLD practice and improve CLD Career Pathways in the Voluntary Sector. Register for the CLD Practice in National Organisations event on Eventbrite. 

How Good Is Our Community Learning & Development (4th Edition)

A new draft framework for the community learning and development (CLD) sector, How good is our community learning and development?’ (4th edition) has been developed in consultation with the CLD sector. This iteration of HGIOCLD reflects the changes in the CLD landscape and the wider education sector, taking cognisance of the wide range of practitioners and organisations adopting CLD methodologies. The framework sets out the standards HM Inspectors will use to evaluate and report on quality and improvement in CLD. It will also support the sector to engage in self-evaluation for continuous improvement.

This is an online framework and remains in draft until Summer 2022. This will give practitioners and HM Inspectors time to use it and to see if any changes are required. We will also gather a few case studies to help support those newer to frameworks and self-evaluation to understand how it can be used to support improvement. 

HM Inspectors are offering a number of webinars for CLD practitioners and leaders between October and December 2021 to introduce the framework. You can find out more and book at How Good is our CLD4? An introduction to the framework. 

Specific Learning Difficulties Network for CLD Practitioners

The next meeting for the SpLD Network for CLD Practitioners will be on 25th November 2021, 10-11.30am, contents will include updates on:

  • Resources to support CLD practitioners in practice
  • Adult Learning Strategy 
  • Planning for the future

Here is a taster of a free introductory module aimed to provide practitioners who work in a CLD setting with an improved awareness of what dyslexia is, its impact, how it is assessed in different contexts and how it can be supported within an inclusive learning environment.  

For further information please contact: Cathy Magee cathy@dyslexiascotland.org.uk or Laura Starkey Laura.starkey@educationscotland.gov.scot for more information.

ESOL SQA Webinars

There are three SQA NQ ESOL webinars taking place over the coming months. Go to the SQA Website to book a place.

11 November 2021 – National 3 and National 4 ESOL Units (4.30pm–5.45pm)
This webinar will explore topic-based approaches to assessment for Everyday Life and ESOL in Context units, linking the assessment of four skills within a unit and identifying candidate evidence required. It will also support understanding the national standards required for National 3 and National 4 NQ ESOL.

13 January 2022 – National 5 and Higher ESOL: Writing (4.30pm–5.45pm)
This webinar will explore how to apply the marking instructions for the National 5 and Higher ESOL writing components. It will exemplify progression in writing skills from National 5 to Higher and support understanding of the standards required at both levels.

20 January 2022 – National 5 and Higher ESOL: Speaking and Listening (4.30pm–5.45pm)
This webinar will explore how to apply the marking instructions to recordings of National 5 and Higher ESOL speaking and listening performance. It will exemplify progression in speaking and listening skills from National 5 to Higher and support the understanding of standards required at both levels. 

If you have any queries, please contact ann.morgan-thomas@sqa.org.uk

Number Confidence Week: 1-5 November

Number Confidence Week will shine a spotlight on how boosting number confidence breaks down barriers and creates brighter futures and also provides opportunities for people to access free resources and activities for all the family, to boost number confidence at work, home and school. This includes video resources, downloadable activities and ‘confidence conversations’ series running across the first week of November. 

You can access activities and resources for kids aged 4-12, parents and adults at work too through the Number Confidence Week campaign hub. 

The National Numeracy Challenge is a free online tool that can help people aged 13+ to develop number confidence and skills, at their own pace on their own terms.  

Follow National Numeracy and #NumberConfidenceWeek on social media. You can also use this campaign pack to make your own social media posts. 

Free Training for CLD Practitioners: Becoming a Numeracy Champion: Children, families & feeling good about maths

And to continue the numeracy theme … as part of a project funded by Education Scotland through the Enhancing Professional Learning in STEM Grants Programme and through the STEM Education and Training Strategy, National Numeracy is offering free places for CLD Practitioners in West Scotland, Southwest Scotland and Forth Valley & West Lothian on the ‘Becoming a Numeracy Champion: Children, Families & Feeling Good About Maths’ programme.

The online (Zoom) programme is running for organisations in West or Southwest Scotland through November and in Forth Valley & West Lothian in January. It equips participants with the knowledge and skills they need to support families to have positive attitudes towards maths. Participants are asked to attend all three sessions and to fill in a digital workbook to complete the programme.

Southwest Scotland South West Scotland Numeracy Champion registration
Numeracy: understanding the numeracy issue – Tuesday, 2 November, 4pm-6pm 
Supporting positive attitudes in children – Tuesday, 9 November, 4pm-6pm
Supporting parents, carers & families – Tuesday, 16 November, 4pm-6pm

West Scotland West Scotland Numeracy Champion registration
Numeracy: understanding the numeracy issue – Thursday, 4 November, 4pm-6pm 
Supporting positive attitudes in children – Thursday, 11 November, 4pm-6pm
Supporting parents, carers & families – Thursday, 18 November, 4pm-6pm

Forth Valley & West Lothian Forth Valley & West Lothian Numeracy Champion registration
Numeracy: understanding the numeracy issue – Wednesday, 12 January, 4pm-6pm
Supporting positive attitudes in children – Wednesday, 19 January, 4pm-6pm
Supporting parents, carers & families – Wednesday, 26 January, 4pm-6pm

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 20 October 2021

We’re recruiting! – Assistant Director, CLD Standards Council

The post holder will oversee CLDSC operations whilst also having responsibility for driving and implementing change throughout the organisation. This is a high profile role which will require the post holder to actively manage and lead on a number of high profile projects whilst also communicating to senior colleagues and stakeholders through the dissemination of complex information and production and presentation of papers. The post holder will represent the CLD Standards Council as required in dealings with other organisations and the Scottish Government.

Specific Duties include:

  • Support the governance and delivery of the organisational strategy, ensuring projects are delivered to a high quality standard by fostering a continuous improvement approach.
  • Fostering relationships with stakeholders at senior levels
  • Work proactively and collaboratively with stakeholders including the Scottish Government, Education Scotland, COSLA, SCVO and other CLD national agencies to ensure that quality delivery of CLDSC functions in respect of CLD workforce development.
  • Liaise regularly with CLDSC Members to address emerging issues and ensure service standards are maintained.
  • Production and presentation of corporate and strategic papers on a range of CLD related topics.
  • Deputise for the Director when required
  • Liaise with Director to ensure regular and appropriate communications are being sent to stakeholders.

For more information and to apply, view the Work for Scotland webpage.
Closing date for applications Monday 8 November 2021 at midnight.

Education Reform Consultation – Virtual Meet-up – 26 October 1-3pm

This Meet-up will focus on gathering feedback from CLD practitioners for the Scottish Government consultation on the Education Reform plans, which include replacing the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and reforming Education Scotland (ES).

CLD Standards Council will create a response to the consultation on behalf of the membership and the sector. Register for the Meet-up on Eventbrite to have your views noted. You do not need to be a CLDSC Member to attend, so please share this with colleagues. PLEASE NOTE – extended meeting time – now 1-3pm.

There will also be a final general webinar hosted by Professor Ken Muir, University of the West of Scotland, taking place on Thursday 28 October 4.30-6pm. Professor Muir is keen to engage widely to hear the views and ideas from all those with an interest in Scottish Education.
You can book a space on this Webinar via Eventbrite.

Practice Placement Standards Spotlight

Following launch of the Professional Approval Standards suite of material last week and the fact that Student CLD Practitioners may be starting to seek out/explore Practice Placement Opportunities please let us introduce you to one of the templates from the Practice Placement Standards material, Template 3 – Preplacement Preparation

To explore all of the templates please access our Google drive and download relevant document to allow you to complete your own information. To download right click on the relevant document, select download from drop down box. Once downloaded you may need to enable editing, fill in your form as you see fit and set up your professional learning folder in whatever system you will use.

To make life even easier for you we have a direct link to Template 3 – Preplacement preparation click on “File” at the top of the navigation ribbon and select “download” then “Microsoft word (.docx)”. Open your downloaded file and click on “enable editing” and you are good to go!

Once you are making use of the templates and documents please let us know if there is something you think is missing, not clear, needs amended etc by emailing us at contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk. Good luck in your studies and remember to encourage your fellow students and practice placement providers to Register with CLDSC.

Skills Development Scotland Career Review

The current review will capture and respond to the views, needs and experiences of young people, parents, employers, teachers as well as experts in further and higher education, including CLD. In line with Scotland’s Careers Strategy – Moving Forward, the review aims to ensure careers services are fit for purpose and future proofed in order to provide recommendations for the implementation of all age career services across Scotland. The review will also look at best practice and innovation from across the world with the aim of presenting final recommendations to Ministers this December. Further information can be found on the Skills Development Scotland website.

COP 26 – New York Times Educate on Climate day FREE online tickets

Educators are being invited to register for the New York Times Educate on Climate day on Friday 5th November, for free! This one-day event has been designed by educators for educators and will seek to tackle some of the biggest challenges in education. What world will our learners inherit, and how can we prepare them to thrive in it? How should we nurture the next generation of climate leaders? How do we empower students to think critically about the challenges facing our planet, and how can we work hand in hand with young people to help shape climate solutions?

For more details and to register, visit the Education Scotland Learning for Sustainability blog.

National Youth Work Awards – nominations open

Still a few weeks left to get your nominations submitted for the 2022 National Youth Work Awards. Choose from 12 award categories and help celebrate the value of youth work.
This year’s categories:

  • Arts & Creativity
  • Community-based Youth Work
  • Digital & Stem
  • Environment & Conservation
  • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
  • Inspirational Leader
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Participation & Youth Voice
  • Recognising Skills & Achievement
  • Team of the Year
  • Volunteer Youth Worker
  • Youth Worker of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement Award

Download the National Youth Work Awards nomination form (PDF)
Download the National Youth Work Awards guidance and criteria (PDF)
The deadline for nominations is 5pm on 25 November 2021.

Census for Scotland Support sessions

Scotland’s next census will be held in March 2022. This census will be a digital first census and National Records of Scotland want to encourage as many households in Scotland as possible to complete it online. To help support this they are offering the online events listed below, to give you information on how the census will be delivered and how you can help get messages and support to those groups you already support in other ways, to ensure they can take part in the census and be counted.

Each online event will last no longer than 30 minutes and you can register for the relevant event by clicking on the link below.

Register for Parents of young children event 27 October 2021 14:00-14:30

Register for Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) event 3 November 2021 11:00-11:30

Register for Veterans event 10 November 2021 14:00–14:30

Register for Older people event 17 November 2021 11:00-11:30

Register for Digitally excluded/High deprivation event 24 November 2021 11:00-11:30

Register for Gaelic Speakers event 1 December 2021 11:00-11:30

Register for People with disabilities event 8 December 2021 11:00-11:30

Register for Rural areas and islands event 15 December 2021 11:00-11:30

Register for LGBTI community event 12 January 2022 11:00-11:30

Register for Young people not living at home event 19 January 2022 11:00-11:30

If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with National Records of Scotland directly – Scotlandscensus@nrscotland.gov.uk.

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 13 October 2021

CLDSC Professional Approval Standards Suite Launch

Student CLD Practitioners – Thinking about starting to search for your Professional Practice Placement opportunity?  Scratching your head at where to start? 

Practice Placement Supervisors or potential Supervisors – Ever wondered why it would be beneficial to become a Practice Placement Supervisor but unsure of what it involves?  Keen to support the Student CLD Practitioner but sometimes unsure of what to focus on?

Look no further!  We can help! 

CLDSC have worked with the CLD Sector to consider what would help support the Professional Practice Placement experience and The Approval Committee of the CLDSC are delighted to be able to share the Professional Approval Standards Suite of material with our members.  The Launch of the Professional Approval Suite of material document provides information to the background and the creation of these materials and includes links to those available.  

The documents were created by Members of CLDSC with experience in the CLD Sector who participated in working groups.  The documents provide information on the process and set out the roles and responsibilities and give an opportunity to help the student to develop the required skills, knowledge and competences to be considered as a fully Competent CLD Practitioner.  

The Suite has 2 main strands: 

Professional Approval Standards documents (mostly relevant to Universities but will allow everyone to see the process and Standards to be met to obtain Professional Approval from CLDSC):

Practice Placement Standards documents
The aim of the CLD Professional Practice Placement Standards documents are to clarify roles and responsibilities for all involved in the placement process and promote consistently high quality CLD practice.  As CLD Professional Practice Placements require a strong partnership between Student CLD Practitioners, the field of CLD practice and educational providers, it was felt to be important to recognise that the Student CLD Practitioners are instrumental in getting the very best from their own CLD Professional Practice Placement experience.  A professional CLD Practitioner must take responsibility for ensuring they gain the opportunity and exposure to enhance their own skills.  The templates will help Student CLD Practitioners to focus, and sharing with their Educational Provider and their Practice Placement Supervisor whenever they meet will aide discussions.

It should be noted that the University may also provide you with documents as there are certain procedural things that they need you to do.  CLDSC offer huge thanks to the Educational Providers involved in creating this material and for sharing their existing processes.  Huge thanks must also go to the Working Groups for their time, commitment, discussions, debates and patience.  

Practice Placement Supervisors Needed!

Please discuss with your employer if you are keen to explore the role of Practice Placement Supervisor in more detail – it really is a great professional learning opportunity.  If your employer would like to be included in a database of Practice Placement Providers, please ask them to complete this template document for placement opportunities.

Joint Education Training Standards (JETS)

As a new academic year kicks off we thought we would pop in a reminder of the Mutual Recognition Agreement that is in place relating to CLD Approved Professional qualifications.

Mutual Recognition across the UK and Ireland 
Professional (higher education) qualifications are recognised across the UK and Ireland as long as the programme of study has been professionally validated/approved by the NYA (England), ETS Wales or the Joint ETS for Northern Ireland and Ireland and CLD Standards Council Scotland. This mutual recognition agreement was arranged by the Joint Education Training Standards Committee (JETS). 

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 Scotland. The primary responsibility of JETS is to validate and endorse courses leading to professional qualification in youth work (and for CLD in Scotland) in their respective jurisdictions. This workforce development function, alongside a broader commitment to continuous professional development (CPD) for all staff, is at the heart of the profession’s obligation to ensure that youth workers and CLD workers are fit to practice. JETS meets to share good practice, to develop commonality of approach, and to take joint action on any issues and concerns.  The next meeting of JETS is on 21 October 2021 and we will keep you posted on the discussions. 

Next Member Virtual Meet Up

Our next Member Meet-up will take place on 26 October, 1pm – 2pm.

The focus of the Meet-up will be on gathering feedback for the Scottish Government consultation on the Education Reform plans to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and reform Education Scotland (ES).  

This will inform our response to the consultation on behalf of the membership and the sector.  Register for the Meet-up on Eventbrite to have your views noted. 

COP26 and Learning for Sustainability Professional Learning

The University of Edinburgh, British Council and Learning for Sustainability Scotland have developed two Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) linked to COP26 and Learning for Sustainability (LfS).

These professional learning courses are free and provide a great opportunity to access professional learning in relation to LfS and to engage with COP26. Last time one of the MOOCs ran there were over 13,000 participants from 170 countries.

The details are below:

YouthLink Scotland – Scottish Youth Climate Summit

What are your climate action priorities? Join the Scottish Youth Climate Summit on 30 October 2021, 9.30am – 5pm to connect with young people (11-26), learn from experts and create Scotland’s Youth Climate Declaration in advance of COP26.

You can also visit the Education Scotland Countdown to COP webpage for other Learning for sustainability resources.

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 06 October 2021

Education Reform

The consultation has been launched on plans to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and reform Education Scotland (ES).  The consultation seeks opinions and ideas on:

  • the replacement of the SQA with a single specialist agency for curriculum, assessment and qualifications
  • plans to substantially reform ES, including removing inspections from its functions

The consultation will last eight weeks and will close on Friday 26th November.

We held our first consultation event for CLD Standards Council members yesterday and will ensure these views inform our response.  We will be holding another Virtual Member Meet-Up event on 26 October 2021, 1pm-3pm, so please join us by registering for the Meet-up on Eventbrite to have your views noted.

For those who are not members of CLD Standards Council, but who have an interest in education, including parents, carers, young people, teachers and lecturers, there is one remaining general webinar where views can be shared.  This takes place online from on 28 October 2021, 4.30pm-6pm, you can register for the webinar on Eventbrite.

CLD Practice in National Voluntary Organisations 

Are you a CLD practitioner working or volunteering for a national voluntary organisation?  Would you like to take part in a conversation about what would inspire others from your organisation to identify with and be part of the CLD community?  CLDSC are hosting an event on 3 November from 11am–1pm, where participants will explore awareness raising opportunities to highlight the value of CLDSC membership and identify how to support CLD practice and improve CLD Career Pathways in the Voluntary Sector.  Register for the session on Eventbrite if you would like to take part. 

Congratulations – Scottish Charity Awards Finalists

CLD Standards Council were proud sponsors of the Community Action Award at this year’s #ScotCharityAwards.  Huge congratulations to all the finalists and especially to our category winners Cumbernauld Resilience.  If you missed the chance to get your glad-rags on, top up your glass and join fellow CLDSC members to celebrate the work of CLD in the voluntary sector at our virtual watch party, you can view the ceremony on the SCVO YouTube channel.  

Scotland’s Learning Festival

And don’t forget, all sessions from this year’s Scottish Learning Festival are available to view until 30 November 2021.  Tune in for inspiring keynotes from the Right Honourable Stewart Laurence; Critical Conversations on leadership; and a wide variety of seminars on Developing the Young Workforce, the impact of poverty and trauma-informed practice to name only a few! If you did not manage to register for SLF Online, you can still access the recordings by emailing the SLF mailbox with your name, email address and organisation.

The Moment

Children’s Parliament and Scottish Youth Parliament are working together to support children and young people across Scotland to participate in a nationwide event called The Moment taking place on Friday 29th October 2021, one week prior to the international UN climate conference, COP26, in Glasgow.  The Moment aims to be a positive, hopeful way of children and young people connecting with the decision-makers who hold the power to drive the urgent, systemic changes needed to tackle the climate emergency.

Elected representatives (Members of Parliament, Members of Scottish Parliament and local councillors) have already ‘saved the date’ so they can participate in ‘climate surgeries’ with children and young people across Scotland, and discuss their climate calls to action ahead of COP26.

This work is supported by Globe International who will host the Global Legislators’ COP26 Summit taking place on 5th November, bringing together parliamentarians from across the world to discuss international collaboration for tackling the climate emergency.  Children and young people’s stories from The Moment will be captured on an interactive map and presented at the Summit.

To support children and young people to participate in The Moment, Children’s Parliament and the Scottish Youth Parliament have created digital resources:

Good luck Willie Bhari

Willie Bhari

Over the last three years Willie has been supporting the CLD Standards Council as our Team Support.  He is moving onto a new role within Education Scotland and we would like to say a huge thanks for all your hard work in keeping the team and the Council organised. Thanks also for all the fabulous cakes and bakes too, you’re definitely a contender to participate in the Great British Bake Off!  Good luck in your new role and remember to keep in touch.

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 29 September 2021

Education Reform – CLD Sector Specific Webinar

The CLD Standards Council has been invited to co-ordinate and respond to the Practitioner and Stakeholder Advisory Group’s discussions regarding the reform of Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority.  To allow practitioners to share their views on the Scottish Education system we are hosting an online event for all CLD practitioners on Tuesday 5 October 11am – 1pm.

If you would like to attend please register on Eventbrite. 

Education Reform Webinars

Professor Ken Muir, University of the West of Scotland, has been appointed to act as an independent advisor to the Scottish Government to consider and advise on the implementation of the reform that will consider all functions currently delivered by both the SQA and Education Scotland. 

Professor Muir is keen to engage widely to hear the views and ideas from all those with an interest in Scottish Education. This webinar is an opportunity to hear first-hand about this work and to have your say on shaping the future of the national bodies supporting Education in Scotland. These webinars will support a written consultation which will be launched at the end of September. 

Please use the links below to select and book a webinar via Eventbrite – each session will take place from 4.30pm to 6pm and follow the same format.

Webinar 1 – Thursday 30th September 2021
Webinar 2 – Wednesday 6th October 2021
Webinar 3 – Thursday 28th October 2021

Challenge Poverty Week – events online

Next week (4 – 10 October 2021) is Challenge Poverty Week.  We have been working with colleagues in the Education Scotland CLD team to coordinate a series of online resources and information which we’ll share throughout next week.

Keep an eye on our Twitter pages @cldstandards and @EdScotCLD throughout the week for links and resources.  Use the hashtags #ChallengePoverty and #NowIsTheTime to join the national conversation.

Last call for Scottish Charity Awards Watch Party

CLD Standards Council is proud to be sponsoring the Community Action Award at this year’s #ScotCharityAwards. Please come along and join us online this Friday 1 October for our Scottish Charity Awards Watch Party.  Get your glad-rags on, top up your glass and join fellow CLDSC members to celebrate the work of CLD in the voluntary sector at our virtual pre-ceremony drinks reception at 6pm.  The ceremony takes place from 7-8pm where we will see the winners announced live on screen. 

Register to join us on Eventbrite. 

National Youth Work Awards – nominations open

Nominations for the 2022 National Youth Work Awards are now open.  Youth work has supported young people up and down the country through the most challenging year. Now, the time has come to give our youth work heroes the recognition they deserve by making your nominations!

Choose from 12 amazing award categories and help celebrate the value of youth work. This year’s categories:

  • Arts & Creativity
  • Community-based Youth Work
  • Digital & Stem
  • Environment & Conservation
  • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
  • Inspirational Leader
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Participation & Youth Voice
  • Recognising Skills & Achievement
  • Team of the Year
  • Volunteer Youth Worker
  • Youth Worker of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement Award

Download the National Youth Work Awards nomination form (opens PDF)
Download the National Youth Work Awards guidance and criteria (opens PDF)

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on 12 November 2021.

YouthLink National Youth Work Conference

This year’s National Youth Work Conference (#YLSConf21) will take place online on 5 and 6 October 2021 and there’s still time to register. The conference will highlight the urgent and significant challenges facing our planet and our society, and will explore the power of learning for sustainability through youth work.

The Conference will provide a critical exploration of:

  • Greening your youth work services
  • Youth Work & the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Young People, Wellbeing & Nature Connectedness
  • Environmental Youth Social Action
  • Outdoor Learning
  • Climate Literacy & Youth Work
  • Global impact and perspectives
  • Climate Justice Education

This national event is aimed at:

  • The youth work and wider CLD sector
  • Other related professionals interested in young people’s participation
  • Education professionals
  • Volunteers

Tickets are available for a small cost to help cover admin and overheads. Prices are £15 for YouthLink members and £25 for non-YouthLink members. 

Download the conference brochure containing information on the programme and workshops (opens PDF).

You can register for the YouthLink National Youth Work Conference 2021 on Eventbrite.

WildHearts Global Youth Summit Information

To coincide with COP26 and help inspire and empower young people to tackle climate change, WildHearts is hosting a global youth-led summit between the 1st – 5th November.  The summit is free and will provide students, locally and globally, with opportunities to learn, collaborate and innovate through interactive assemblies, lesson plans and workshops. 

The summit will feature world-class speakers including, Cel Spellman (Actor, Presenter and WWF Call of The Wild Podcast Host) and Clover Hogan (Climate Activist and Eco-Anxiety Researcher). Her TED Talk ‘What to do when climate change feels unstoppable’ has been viewed over 1million times. 

Watch this short video on YouTube of the Official Global Youth Summit.
You can download the Global Youth Summit Event pack here. 

Accessibility in digital content workshops

Lead Scotland are hosting a series of webinars on Zoom in the upcoming weeks about accessibility in digital content. The webinars will examine the most common accessibility problems within digital content and instruct participants how to avoid these issues. These webinars are intended for people looking to improve their employability through enhancing their digital expertise.

Each webinar covers a single topic. The topics are:

  • Layout 
  • Text format 
  • Plain English 
  • Colour and contrast 
  • Mouse friendly navigation 
  • Keyboard friendly navigation 
  • Alt text 
  • Complex images 
  • Captions and transcripts 
  • Forms 

There is more information about the webinars and details of how to register on the Lead Scotland website.

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 22 September 2021

Youth Work SVQ review approved

We are delighted to announce that the review of the SVQs in Youth work is now complete and has been approved by Skills Development Scotland and SQA.   

The revised Youth Work SVQs, reflecting the comments and input of CLD Standards Council members, are at SCQF level 6 and level 7 and are an important part of the network of qualifications that support the professional learning and development of youth workers in Scotland.  

If your organisation is interested in delivering these new awards, please get in touch with SQA. You can find more information and contact details on the SQA Accreditation – Awarding Body Approval webpage.

Picture of Grant Garret 2021Welcome to Grant Garrett!

A warm welcome is extended to Grant Garrett. Grant joins CLD Standards Council from North Ayrshire Council and is our new Corporate Performance Officer. Grant is looking forward to finding out more about CLD and supporting us with all sorts of data and knowledge analysis work.

CLD Standards Council Scotland – Professional Induction Programme Development

CLDSC is developing a Professional Induction Programme which will introduce members of the CLDSC to the purpose and functions of the Council and what is expected of membership based on its professional standards. The programme will also provide an introduction to the process of professional learning and development and require participants to produce a professional learning and development plan drawing from the module processes and content.

An Invitation to Quote process will be opening soon to develop this piece of work.  The work comprises creation of the professional induction programme, piloting of the professional induction programme and evaluation and amendments to the programme in preparation for launch.  This will be a short term piece of work, due for completion by 31 March 2022. 

Please circulate this to your networks.  If any organisation/contractor wishes to be considered for this work, please contact kirsty.gemmell@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk by 1 October 2021.  All details will be shared at the tender stage. 

Scottish Charity Awards – CLDSC Watch Party

The Scottish Charity Awards recognise and celebrate the best that Scotland’s voluntary sector has to offer and CLD Standards Council is proud to be sponsoring the Community Action Award at this year’s #ScotCharityAwards. The Awards Ceremony will be held online on Friday 1 October 2021.  

We’ll be hosting a Scottish Charity Awards Watch Party and would like to invite you to join us for virtual pre-ceremony drinks reception at 6pm with the ceremony taking place from 7-8pm where we can see the winners announced live on screen. Get your gladrags on, top up your glass and join fellow CLDSC members to celebrate the work of CLD in the voluntary sector.

Register to join us on Eventbrite. 

Virtual Meet Up reminder

There’s still time to register to attend our next Member Meet-up taking place on 29 September 1-2pm. 

Come along for a tour of the updated Learning for Sustainability Theme space on i-develop; an input from Glasgow Science Centre about work they’ve been doing with communities to jointly tackle poverty and sustainability issues; and a chance to ‘Show and Tell’ colleagues about your sustainability practice and share resources you’ve created or used.  
Meantime, why not have a look at the Education Scotland CLD Team’s Countdown to COP26: CLD Sector – Wakelet.

You can register on Eventbrite to attend the Virtual Meet Up.

Practice Placement Database

During engagement with its members, CLDSC has had numerous requests to hold a database which will provide details of organisations who are willing to offer a CLD Practice Placement Opportunity and what types of opportunities they can offer. Our membership has also emphasised to us the importance of Practice Placement Supervisors being CLD qualified. If your organisation wishes to be included in this database please complete this proforma and return or contact susan.bisset@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk for further information. 

It should be noted that it will still be the responsibility of the HE/FE providers to negotiate the placements and ensure that they are relevant and appropriate in order to meet the Standards followed for approval of their programmes. 

Working with a Student CLD Practitioner is a great way to achieve Professional Learning and you will be helping to shape the CLD Sector for the future.  If you are still unsure if you can, or want to take up such a great opportunity please read through Things to consider before offering a CLD Practice Placement Opportunity.

SCDC – Supporting Communities Safely updated Covid-19 Guidance

Scottish Community Development Council, in conjunction with Public Health Scotland, has updated its advice on how to virus proof activities and events run by community groups, organisations and volunteer networks and reduce the risk of indirect spread. 

You can find information and details on the SCDC Supporting Communities Safely webpage.

Council of Europe – Youth Organisations Study Seminar opportunity

The Council of Europe is offering an opportunity for youth organisations to apply to deliver a study session/seminar on one of four topics: Democracy; Youth Work; Young people’s access to rights; and Living together in peaceful societies. The sessions would be delivered in the European Youth Centres in Strasbourg / Budapest and would be funded by the Council of Europe. The deadline for applications is 15 October 2021.  More information can be found on the Council of Europe webpage.

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 15 September 2021

Education Reform: a CLD response

The CLD Standards Council has been invited to co-ordinate and respond to the Practitioner and Stakeholder Advisory Group’s discussions regarding the reform of Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority.  To allow practitioners to share their views on the Scottish Education system we are hosting an online event for all CLD practitioners on Tuesday 5 October 11am – 1pm.

If you would like to attend please register on Eventbrite. 

Virtual Meet up – reminder

Our next Members Meet up takes place on 29 September 1-2pm. 

We have been updating the Learning for Sustainability Theme space on i-develop, and will take a tour of what’s there.  We’ll have an input from Glasgow Science Centre about work they’ve been doing with communities to jointly tackle poverty and sustainability issues.  And we’d also love to find out more about your sustainability practice – ‘Show and Tell’ colleagues about resources you’ve created or used.  

Meantime, why not have a look at the Education Scotland CLD Team’s Countdown to COP26: CLD Sector – Wakelet.

You can register on Eventbrite to attend the Virtual Meet Up.

“The impact of Community Work – How to gather evidence” – i-develop training resource 

To support the book written by Karen McArdle, Sue Briggs, Kirsty Forrester, Ed Garrett and Catherine McKay, all long standing members of the CLD Standards Council, a set of training materials has been created and are now available on i-develop.  
The book and training materials provide essential guidance for professionals and pre-qualifying students on how to gather and generate evidence of the impact of projects in the community.  It provides easy to implement, practical ideas and examples of methods to demonstrate the impact of community work Including case studies from diverse community settings.  Considering not only evaluation, but also the complex processes of evidence gathering, it will help all those involved with work in the community to demonstrate the impact and value of their work.

We’ll be hosting a CLDSC Virtual Member Meet Up on 23 November 2021 1-2pm – come along to meet the authors and explore the resources.  

Click here to register your attendance for November’s Virtual Meet Up.

CLD Collaborative Working Case Study

Sue Briggs (Aberdeenshire Council) and Laura Starkey (Education Scotland) have developed a case study highlighting collaboration in the North Regional Improvement Collaborative (RIC) with CLD. 

The case study outlines different educational perspectives to promote the value, outcomes and change that has been achieved, and features Laurence Findlay (Director of Education, Aberdeenshire Council), Kathleen Johnston (Quality Improvement Lead, North RICl), Sue Briggs (CLD North RIC work stream lead & Aberdeenshire Council), Fiona MacInnes-Begg (CLD Lead, Western Isles Council). There are powerful messages about the important role of CLD and the strength of collaborative working at all levels through local authority, RIC and nationally.

The first video, CLD: Achieving Change Through a Regional Improvement Collaboration can be viewed on Education Scotland’s YouTube channel (approx. 9 minutes).

The second video, CLD: Achieving Change Through a Regional Improvement Collaboration can be viewed on Canva.

If you have any questions in relation to either of these please contact Laura Starkey by email –laura.starkey@educationscotland.gov.uk.

SLF Online 21-23 September 2021 – still time to register 

‘Renew, Refresh, Re-imagine: Learning from our experiences and looking to the future’.
The Conference Programme includes:

  • keynote sessions to inspire and provoke;
  • live Q&A sessions with specialist panels, where you will be able to ask your questions;
  • sharing practice sessions from practitioners, which may inform your practice;
  • sessions giving you up-to-date information and guidance on education policy and recommendations from recent reports;
  • opportunities to network with colleagues in facilitated sessions.

To find out more, register and view the SLF Programme 2021, please visit the SLF2021 website. 

Rural Communities “Ideas into Action” Fund 

The Rural Communities “Ideas into Action” Fund is supported by £1.5 million of Scottish Government funding, delivered in partnership with Inspiring Scotland. It allows applicants to take forward ideas that will test change while linking community action with addressing local issues.

The fund forms part of the wider £3 million fund announced earlier this year in the Scottish Budget, to deliver pilot projects testing innovative ways of delivering Community Led Local Development (CLLD) before March 2022.

The fund is open for applications from Monday 13 September and closes on Friday 8 October at 12 noon. Guidance and application forms can be found on the Inspiring Scotland website.

There are two strands of funding available:-

  • Small Grants of up to £3,000 for grassroots rural groups or organisations to support community projects that fit with local needs and are locally led.  The process for applying for this funding has been simplified to make it easy for unincorporated groups to apply and both capital and expenditure costs are eligible.
  • Large Grants of between £3001 and £50,000 for not for profit organisations to invest in community led initiatives that respond to local need.  Again, capital and revenue costs are eligible and these can be delivered in partnership with other local organisations.

Changing the Channel: Communities Channel Scotland and the Social Impact Pledge relaunch today

The redeveloped Communities Channel Scotland website and Social Impact Pledge have been launched today, making them even more helpful to community groups across Scotland in their amazing work with their communities.

Community groups, and anyone who works with them, are invited to visit the website and take advantage of its updated features, such as…

  • Straightforward guides to key developments and policy affecting community groups, including climate change, covid-19 and what’s currently happening around human rights in Scotland.
  • Easily searchable collections of resources, including tools, ideas for funding and relevant support organisations, to help you carry out your activities and achieve your aims.
  • Inspiring examples of community groups in action, covering everything from emergency responses to Covid-19 to creative ways of engaging with people.
  • The Social Impact Pledge, which asks public bodies to commit to making changes to what they do that have a direct benefit for communities and community groups.
  • All the latest news from, and relevant to, community groups in Scotland.

Click here to visit Communities Channel Scotland

To mark the relaunch, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth, Tom Arthur MSP, has stated his hope that Communities Channel Scotland and the Social Impact Pledge continue to be key online resources for community groups. View the Minister’s statement here.

Further information
Communities Channel Scotland has been developed by Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) with funding from the Scottish Government. Read more about the website on Squarespace (log in required). SCDC would like to hear from any group or organisation who has suggestions, news, stories or anything else that could contribute to the website. You can contact SCDC by clicking here.

CLDSC Member Bulletin – 08 September 2021

Scottish Government Programme for Government 2021-22

CLD and issues of interest to CLDSC members are well represented in the Programme for Government published on 7 September 2021. 

CLDSC welcomes the commitment to “review the regulations for community learning and development, to ensure that they are fit for purpose, increase investment to support the sector and provide additional grant funding to increase opportunities for vulnerable learners.”  We look forward to supporting this review and involving CLDSC membership.

Other areas of interest to CLD practitioners include: 

  • Conclusion of the Local Governance Review and introduction of a Local Democracy Bill.  “The next phases of the review will provide communities with opportunities to pinpoint the powers and resources they need to help tackle climate change.”
  • Review of the Community Empowerment Act.  “…we will take forward a range of legislative reforms which ensure we give local communities and organisations greater powers over their own future. We will  to consider how local communities can have more of a say over how local public assets are used – whether that is taking on the ownership or management of land or buildings, delivery of services to members of their community, or more say in how services are delivered, assets are used and resources are allocated.”
  • Implementation of Green Participatory Budgeting with agreed target levels of funding.  “We will explore the use of Participatory Budgeting in 2021 22 as part of our wider support for community led climate action. We will also identify opportunities at COP26 to develop the concept of Participatory Budgeting for climate action – both in Scotland and abroad – and identify opportunities to develop programmes specifically involving schools and young people.”
  • Continued promotion of the Place Standard Tool for community engagement in placemaking, “including spreading learning from our climate lens Place Standard to help inform the roll out of 20 minute neighbourhoods across Scotland”.
  • Wellbeing Economy – “we will set up a group of external advisors to provide international and expert guidance on developing a wellbeing economy, and appoint a Wellbeing Economy Ambassador to promote this work. We will develop a set of wellbeing indicators for Scotland with a dashboard to monitor and track economic success … over the next five years, we will invest £200 million specifically in adult upskilling and retraining opportunities”
  • Continuation of the Connecting Scotland programme.
  • Strengthening Collaboration commitment –  working “with SCVO and COSLA to progress further a multi year funding model. We will work with Third Sector Interfaces, who act as a single point of access for support and advice for third sector organisations in their local area, to strengthen their influence, and revise their funding formula to give more support to the areas of highest deprivation. We will bring forward legislation to improve Charity Law, strengthening the legal and regulatory framework and enhancing public trust in this vital sector.”
  • Funding for third sector organisations working with children, families and adult learners. “Starting from April 2023, we will also provide up to £16 million for each of the next two financial years in funding for third sector organisations which work with children, families and adult learners, to ensure that sustained, high quality support is available to vulnerable groups.”
  • Citizens’ Assemblies – “The Assembly will be established and completed in this Parliament, with a response to its recommendations debated and agreed within 6 months of being provided. We will also introduce a brand new Citizens’ Assembly for under 16’s, so that the generation who will grow up with the consequences of the decisions we take now can be involved in making them. We will also consider a new approach to ensuring the interests of future generations are taken into account in decisions made today, through a Future Generations Commission.”
  • New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy refreshed and expanded.  “We will… award £2.8 million in EU funding to new projects to spread good practices and support innovation under the outcomes and objectives of the Strategy.”

CLD Standards Mark Approval – Jack Kane Community Centre 

The Approval Committee of CLDSC are delighted to confirm Standards Mark Approval for Jack Kane Community Centre has been granted. Congratulations! The Approval Panel noted that they were impressed with the good quality of the submission and heartened that CLD focus is embedded throughout the organisation. 

If your organisation would like to discuss Standards Mark Approval and obtain recognition for the CLD professional learning offered to staff and volunteers our Standards Mark information webpage is a good starting point. 

Learning for Sustainability Awards – last chance for nominations 

The closing date for nominations for the Learning for Sustainability Awards is 12 September 2021.  We hope you’ll be encouraged to submit a nomination so we can celebrate the valuable ways that Community Learning and Development providers help to build sustainable communities.  There are 6 categories:

  • LEARNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY YOUTH AWARD
    • Recognising the achievements of young people aged 3-26 years
  • LEARNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY PRACTITIONER AWARD
    • Recognising the achievements of early learning and childcare practitioners and school teachers
  • LEARNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP AWARD
    • Recognising the achievements of head teachers, heads of centre, managers, authority staff and promoted staff in school and setting leadership teams
  • LEARNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY LEARNING COMMUNITY AWARD
    • Recognising the achievements of early learning and childcare settings and schools
  • LEARNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATIONAL SUPPORTER AWARD
    • Recognising the achievements of individuals who provide invaluable support for learning
  • LEARNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT AWARD
    • Recognising the achievements of community learning and development providers.

CLD practice makes a significant contribution to Learning for Sustainability, so please consider nominating. Find out more and nominate on the Learning for Sustainability Awards website. 

Connecting Scotland – open for applications 

The Connecting Scotland programme aims to close the digital divide, with a target of bringing 60,000 households online by the end of 2021. 

Organisations can apply for support on behalf of the people they work with. This includes:

  • Digital devices – iPads and/or Chromebooks
  • Internet connectivity – a mobile WiFi hotspot with 24 months unlimited data  
  • Training and support – for staff and volunteers to become ‘digital champions’ to support people to use the internet confidently and safely

From 30 August – 27 September the programme will be accepting applications from organisations working to remove barriers related to digital exclusion for unemployed young people and adults (aged 16+).
From 28 September the programme will be accepting fast track applications from organisations that can identify users who are:

  • Digitally excluded, and
  • On a low income, and
  • At risk of social isolation and loneliness (particularly older people, people with disabilities, and single parents) 

Please visit the Connecting Scotland webpage for full details and guidance. 

CARNival 

CARN (Collaborative Action Research Network) is holding its annual international conference, CARNival online from 2nd to 10th October 2021, hosted by Dundee.  Last year 32 countries were represented.  It covers the disciplines associated with Education, Communities and Health and Well Being.  Attached are early programmes for the event. You can register for the event on the CARN website.

Please note that bursaries are available and further information is available from Karen McArdle k.a.mcardle@abdn.ac.uk.   Please note that the registration fee of £30 covers membership of CARN, the international network of researchers,  as well as the conference.

Community Connections –Historic Environment Scotland (HES)

The Community Connections Programme was designed by the HES Community Support Working Group that came together during 2020.  The programme is designed to promote and contribute to COVID recovery and renewal across communities, heritage and other sectors. 

Are you a community all about a place, a group brought together through shared interest, or an organisation supporting communities? Would you like support to help you bounce back and thrive post-pandemic? HES is ready to collaborate with you!  The new Community Connections Programme will deliver a range of exciting, collaborative projects showing how the heritage that matters to you has a vital role to play in supporting your community’s recovery and renewal – often in surprising and creative ways!

The Community Connections Programme is open to developing and collaborating on projects themed around:

  • health and wellbeing
  • skills and volunteering
  • creativity
  • climate change
  • community and destination regeneration

If you want to talk through ideas or activities that are a good fit with Community Connections Programme priorities and project themes you can get in touch by emailing; developmentandcommunity@hes.scot

Standards Mark approval for the Jack Kane Community Centre

The Approval Committee of CLDSC are delighted to confirm the Standards Mark Approval for Jack Kane Community Centre. The Approval Panel noted that they were impressed with the good quality of the submission and heartened that CLD focus is embedded throughout the organisation.

The panel wish to highlight a number of good factors within the submission:2

  • Impressed about the support to students and staff including the payment of the PVG fee
  • Young Peoples Committee being active and live is a clear commitment to the young people in their community.
  • There is a clear and strong workforce development focus.
  • The Support and Supervision document and the Log Book gave our panel members document envy and should be used as an exemplar for other providers.
  • The overall learning culture within the organisation demonstrates a joined up thinking approach and provides a bigger picture approach to practice.

Congratulations to Jack Kane Community Centre!