Professional learning and development review process

Introduction

Whether a person is a full time, part time or voluntary CLD practitioner, qualified or unqualified, they need to undertake professional learning and development in order to develop and maintain their practice.

The requirement to undertake professional learning and development is a key requirement of registration as a Registered or Associate member of the CLD Standards Council.  It applies regardless of the category of membership as it is incumbent that all members maintain and develop their practice through critical reflection on their Professional Learning and Development. 

Professional Learning Commitment

A recommended figure of 35 hours professional learning per year for those in full time CLD occupations has been set, and is considered both realistic and achievable.   It is also consistent with the professional learning requirements of similar professional areas. For those working or volunteering for fewer hours per week, a pro rata equivalent is in place e.g. if you volunteer for 6 hours per week, a minimum of 6 hours per year of professional learning is the required commitment.

Terminology

In the Growing the Learning Culture in CLD: A Strategy for Statement and Framework for Action, we are now using the terms professional learning and professional development. CPD (Continuous Professional Development) has been understood as relating to learning and development that follows a period of initial training. This distinction no longer fits with reality, as practitioners may undertake all their learning and development in a practice setting, or may participate in a formal learning programme after involvement, paid or unpaid, in CLD practice.  

In this context we are using the following as what is meant by Professional Learning and Development. 

We are using the term professional learning to refer to: 

• the process of active learning through individual or shared reflection on practice
• participation in formal or informal learning opportunities, and activities including planned reading, shadowing, secondments and e-learning

We are using the term professional development to refer to the change that occurs as a result of professional learning including the: 

• enhanced skills, knowledge and understanding of practitioners
• sharing of these and their application to practice

(CLD Standards Council 2025)