CLDSC Member Bulletin – 01 September 2021

Role of Colleges in Improving Career Pathway for CLD Practitioners

Earlier this year CLDSC worked with colleagues from the FE sector to host a series of discussions on the ‘Role of Colleges in Improving Career Pathway for CLD Practitioners’.  A report has been produced which provides a record of each session.  It is also intended to act as a reference document for taking forward the ideas, issues and solutions discussed.  View the report on i-develop.  


CLD Practice Placement Spotlight  

As you will see in the report above, CLDSC recognises the important of Student CLD Practitioners receiving a quality CLD Placement experience to support their academic study and to help them to develop the skills and attributes of a Competent CLD Practitioner

As Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE) colleagues gear up for this academic year they will already be considering who to contact to request if organisations can to offer a CLD Practice Placement Experience.  This puts a huge demand on time for these providers and over the next few weeks CLDSC will be providing contact details for each of our approved providers to allow you to get in touch with them if you are interested in offering a CLD Practice Placement.   If you are approaching the providers as an individual, it is important that if that you have discussed this with your employer. To assist with these discussions, or for employers who are keen to offer their staff this development opportunity, the document Why Employers need professional CLD practitioners (PDF File) provides some helpful information. It is also worth noting that Scottish Government has also recognised the importance of CLD Practice Placement and more information can be located in CLD Plans Guidance Note (2021-24).  To support this CLDSC produced an offer of support document (PDF File).

The following HE/FE providers who are keen to hear from you and discuss the CLD Practice Placement experience and opportunities. More contact details will be available in future CLDSC Member Bulletins on other HE/FE providers – watch this space. 

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. We will share further information on this over the next few weeks as part of the launch of CLD Professional Practice Placement Standards.  If your organisation wishes to be included in this database please 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. 

Thank you to everyone involved in providing and supporting CLD Practice Placements.


Virtual Meet Up – 29 September 2021, 1-2pm

Our August Virtual Member Meet-Up was postponed and will now take place on 29 September.  We will focus on sharing resources and professional learning around climate change, environment and sustainability.

We have been updating the Learning for Sustainability Theme space on i-develop, and will take a tour of what’s there.  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.

Register for the Virtual Meet up on Eventbrite.


CLD STEM Network

If you’re a practitioner who’s delivering STEM activities, join in the CLD STEM Network meeting on Tuesday 7th September at 10am.  The jam-packed agenda will include:

Learning for Sustainability Awards; COP26;  STEM professional learning grants; Scottish Learning Festival; Green Zone info; Earth Allies; Maths on Toast; Climate Fringe Week; Climate Emergency Training; and Youthlink National Youthwork Conference.

Click here to register your attendance.


IACD European Members Networking Session 

International Association of Community Development (IACD) is extending an invite to join a European Members Networking Session on Tuesday 14th September 2021 from 10-11:30am BST. This networking session is open to members and non-members alike in Europe.

This is the third networking session for members in Europe, and the conversation will be hosted by IACD Directors in Europe and Community Development Alliance Scotland’s Coordinator and former IACD Director, Colette McGarva.  

Register for the IACD Networking session on Eventbrite.


ESOL National Discussion Event 

The next ESOL National Discussion event, hosted by Glasgow ESOL Forum, will take place on Wednesday 8th September at 13:00-14:30.
The event will focus on volunteer roles in the Framework for Good Practice in Working with Volunteers in ESOL with particular focus on the language/conversation cafes. 
 
Register for the ESOL discussion event on Eventbrite.


Equally Safe at School

Equally Safe at School (ESAS) has been developed by Rape Crisis Scotland to support and guide secondary schools through a process of embedding a set of holistic measures to prevent gender-based violence. The approach was piloted with schools between 2017-21 and has now been developed into an interactive website with tools, information and resources to support schools and teachers to plan and implement a whole school approach. The Equally Safe at School website has a wealth of information for schools about GBV, how to support young people affected, and about the ESAS research conducted by the University of Glasgow – all of which can be accessed by schools, other professionals, parents, carers and young people.


Board Vacancies 

If you’re interested in expanding your experience, the following organisations are looking for new Board Members: 

NHS Education for Scotland – Do you have practical experience of the Scottish adult social work and/or care sector? Do you want to play a central role in supporting the provision of the high quality education, training and lifelong learning of NHS and social care staff? If so, NES would like to hear from you. NHS Education for Scotland are looking to appoint one member to their Board. For more information on this role and to apply, please see visit the NHS Education for Scotland entry on the Appointed for Scotland website

The closing date for applications is 17th September 2021.

NHS Highland – Are you passionate about the future of rural communities? Have you been active in community activities and agencies?  Do you enjoy working collaboratively?  Could you draw on your experience of working or volunteering in a third sector, community or other setting to support the work of NHS Highland?  Are you excited by the opportunity to shape sustainable health and social care services to better meet the needs of people living in rural areas?  NHS Highland are looking to appoint one member to their Board. For more information on this role and to apply, please visit the NHS Highland entry on the Appointed for Scotland website

The closing date for applications is 15th September 2021.