Growing the learning culture

Our vision, principles and ambitions

Published
09/10/2025
Last updated
19/08/2026

Vision

We will nurture a culture of learning in our sector in order that individual engagement will contribute to the development of the whole profession; we will celebrate learning, relish challenge, and reflect critically on our practice. Our vision for all CLD practitioners is that their participation in continuous professional development activities will be a central and established part of their practice. Through this they will demonstrate and enhance their commitment to a culture of learning.

This involves:

  • embracing practice, both paid and unpaid, by practitioners without a formal qualification
  • committing to value-based, ethical practice and to continued learning and development
  • articulating the standards through the CLD values, code of ethics and competences should guide CLD practice in all contexts
  • learning opportunities leading to qualifications carrying both professional approval and academic validation bring essential added value to the role and impact of CLD practice

Principles 

  • Working together to grow the learning culture in CLD
  • Commitment to the quality and impact of our CLD practice
  • Commitment to the CLD values, code of ethics and competences

Statement of Ambitions

A suite of Ambitions for the CLD sector and its practitioners: 

  • Integral - Professional learning and development is integral to CLD practice in all sectors and settings and is used creatively to enhance the quality and impact of practice
  • Commitment - Practitioners, managers and employers in CLD commit themselves to professional development
  • Shared - We share our professional learning to develop the CLD field of practice as a whole
  • Valued - The professional learning and development of all CLD practitioners, paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time, with or without qualifications, is valued and supported
  • Equitable - Fair, affordable and equitable access to professional CLD qualifications and learning infrastructure enables everyone to access learning pathways.