CLDSC Member Bulletin – 25 August 2021

Reform of SQA and Education Scotland Expert Panel 

Representatives from the CLD Standards Council have been invited to participate in the Practitioner and Stakeholder Advisory Group, which is being constituted to support Professor Ken Muir in his role as independent advisor to the Scottish Government on the reform of SQA and Education Scotland.

The purpose of the Group will be to provide advice and feedback to Professor Muir and his Expert Panel as they develop recommendations for the Scottish Government on the reform of SQA and Education Scotland.

This group will comprise organisations, including staff unions and professional associations, that represent the following diverse range of interests related to the reform – children and young people; employers; local authorities; the tertiary sector; practitioners across different sectors and providers; and parental interests.  The expertise of Advisory Group members, and the networks they can access, will ensure that a wide range of perspectives and ideas inform the Expert Panel and the overall reform work.

Access the Expert Panel draft terms of reference on the Scottish Government website.


A COVID-19 Inquiry for Scotland

The Scottish Government is inviting views on the draft aims and principles of an independent public inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) 
pandemic.  The COVID-19 Inquiry Establishment Aims and Principles paper is intended to shape its terms of reference with input from stakeholders, including bereaved families.  The proposed inquiry would be established by the end of the year, to scrutinise decisions taken in the course of this pandemic, and learn lessons for future pandemics. It would take a take a person-centred, human rights based approach with a focus on outcomes and timely reporting to identify lessons and recommendations. Particular consideration would also be given to the ‘four harms’ of the pandemic:

  • direct health impacts of COVID-19, including cases and deaths in care homes
  • other non COVID health impacts
  • societal impacts, including education
  • economic impacts

The public are now encouraged to share their ideas and comments on the suggested approach via email by 30 September 2021.  Further information can be found on the Scottish Government website


Roles played by Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) during Covid-19 Report

This week sees the publication of the Evaluation Support Scotland’s Report into the roles played by Third Sector Interfaces across Scotland during the Covid-19 Pandemic. #TSIxESSReport

The report highlights 5 key recommendations: 

  1. Celebrate the role of the third sector and volunteers during Covid-19 
  2. Build awareness locally and nationally of the role and impact of TSI’s 
  3. Invest in the capacity and reach of the third sector in local decision-making 
  4. Build on the opportunities that have come out of Covid-19 
  5. Review funding for TSIs

View the PDF report.  You can also watch the short explainer video which outlines the key findings and recommendations and join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #TSIxESSReport.


CDAS Bulletin

The August Community Development Alliance Scotland bulletin is now available.  The highlight is the CDAS Annual National Conference which takes place on 29th September 2021 (virtually).  The conference programme features keynote speakers and workshops led by member organisations, You can register online for the CDAS Conference.

Also in the bulletin are items on job vacancies, funding and other opportunities.


Lead Scotland online security training

Lead Scotland is offering free training on zoom this September for people wanting to get to grips with different areas of online safety and security. 30 minute webinars (with extra time for activities and questions) on a range of topics are available: 

  • Protect yourself with strong passwords 
  • Remember your passwords using password managers 
  • How to use two-factor authentication 
  • How to update your digital devices 
  • How to back up your data 
  • Recognise email scams and fake emails 

These topics were chosen in line with the National Cyber Security Centre Cyber Aware 6 Actions. Lead is also commissioning and producing alternative formats including BSL, Braille, HTML, Polish, Urdu and Arabic amongst others. Visit the Lead Scotland website to access these resources

The webinars will be especially useful for disabled people or those who might find it harder to use the internet safely, but they are open and suitable for everyone. They are also useful for those who care for someone who needs some extra support using their digital device safely. All classes are free and open to the public. 

Lead Scotland is also offering 1 hour ‘Training for Trainers’ lunchtime sessions for practitioners, volunteers or others who support people with low digital confidence. For information on dates and time, as well as to sign up, go to the Lead Scotland website


National Care Service in Scotland – Consultation

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on a new National Care Service in Scotland – A National Care Service for Scotland – Scottish Government.

The recent Independent Review of Adult Social Care (the Feeley Report) recommended the creation of a National Care Service. However, there was a sense that it stopped short of consolidating the links between housing, homelessness, health and social care. This consultation seeks views on a National Care Service that supports people of all ages and presents a new opportunity to join the dots and place a greater emphasis on preventing homelessness. New duties to prevent homelessness across the wider public sector is of urgent relevance. View the Preventing Homelessness PDF.

Homelessness responses in Scotland have traditionally been located, strategically and operationally, within a housing context rather than with health and social care. And today, most local authorities have not delegated housing and homelessness to the Integrated Joint Board covering their area. The dilemma is often two-fold: 

  1. Most people who experience homelessness have no support needs beyond housing; however
  2. Those that do are among the most systematically disadvantaged groups in Scotland with most to benefit from an integrated approach. See Hard Edges Scotland for the renewed case for taking a whole system approach to severe and multiple disadvantage.

With all this to explore and more, you can join the discussion at an online event on 8 September 2021 at 2pm.  Please register on the Homeless Network Scotland website


Adult Learners’ Week Awards

Don’t forget to submit your nominations for Adult Learners’ Week Awards by 31 August 2021.  Entry is open to learners (individuals or groups) living in Scotland who are aged over 21 on 31 January 2021 and are either a current learner or a learner who completed their learning sometime since 31 January 2019. If you don’t have a nomination form yet, you can request one by emailing info@scotlandslearning.org.uk


CLD vacancies – Education Scotland

South East CLD Education Officer – 23 month secondment 
Closing Date – 12th  September 2021
Please visit the Scottish Government website for further information

Tayside CLD Development Officer-  6 month secondment 
Closing Date – 14th  September 2021
Please visit the Scottish Government website for further information