Growing the learning culture

Resources

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

Practitioners and employers can utilise a range of resources that will help to shape and support their professional development. As the resources listed below have been developed through practitioner-led processes, are openly available and are not specific to any one sectoral, organisational or geographic setting, they can be used for sharing learning and developing the practice of the whole CLD profession. 

i-develop 

i-develop – learning for CLD is the web-based framework to support creative and innovative learning and development for CLD practitioners. 

The framework integrates the theories and practices that help shape effective professional development for the CLD sector, such as peer sharing, communities of practice, learning journeys and reflection-in-action in order to shape a learning community of practitioners across CLD. 

You can access i-develop at: http://www.i-develop-cld.org.uk 

Professional Induction Programme

The Community Learning and Development Standards Council Professional Induction Programme was created by volunteers from the CLD Standards Council Professional Learning Committee. The programme introduces members (Registered or Associate) to the purpose and functions of the Council and what is expected of membership based on its professional standards.

Supporting Professional Learning Together

CLD Standards Council offers a range of buddy and mentor options to members to support them to identify, plan and meet their professional learning goals. 

You can access the course on i-develop.

CLD Approval Suite and Learner Pathway 

The CLD Standards Council has worked with the field to create a suite of approved learning opportunities at developmental and professional levels, and the Standards Mark.

Information on learning opportunities available and on learning pathways.

Standards Council Standards Mark 

The Standards Mark recognises the quality of CLD learning opportunities provided to CLD staff by their employer. The Standards Mark acknowledges the learning culture of the organisation and the whole range of learning opportunities offered, not one specific programme. 

The Standards Council Standards Mark (SCSM) supports employers to:

  • nurture a learning community for the entire organisation
  • develop and implement a professional development policy;
  • provide continuous leadership and support for professional development opportunities
  • strengthen and extend local partnerships
  • encourage sharing of impact and learning from good practice. 

You can access further details of the SCSM and how to apply.

Developmental Approval

The Developmental route is for providers offering learning opportunities below degree level that have already been verified by an awarding body such as Qualifications Scotland.

You can access further details of Developmental Approval and how to apply. 

The CLD Competent Practitioner Framework and Code of Ethics 

Practitioners and employers can utilise the Competent Practitioner Framework (which comprises the CLD Competences, the CLD Values, the definition of a competent practitioner and the Code of Ethics) to: 

  • challenge, examine and reflect on practice;
  • plan career development
  • assess achievement
  • inform recruitment and selection processes
  • shape individual, organisational and partnership development
  • develop, structure and evaluate learning programmes
  • guide and support learning for students, new entrants, practitioners at all stages of development and managers. 

For more information, read Ethical practice – competent practitioners.

National Occupational Standards (NOS)

National Occupational Standards for Adult Learning, Community Development Family Learning and Youth Work can be used for purposes similar to those identified for the CLD Competences above. They provide a means for looking in greater depth and detail at particular aspects of practice. 

Policy references 

Find information on:

Case Studies

A suite of case studies highlighting how stakeholders have contributed toward Grwing the Learning culture. 

Case studies will be featured in each stakeholder’s page, but when replaced, will be added here to form a bank of case studies which can be easily accessed.)