Background of the registration system
Why the registration system was created
The CLD Standards Council was established by the Scottish Government to strengthen professional standards and support the development of Community Learning and Development across Scotland.
From the outset, one of the Council's key responsibilities was to create a registration system for practitioners, alongside approving qualifications and promoting high-quality induction and continuing learning and professional development (CLPD).
Registration provides a clear way for practitioners to demonstrate their commitment to the CLD Values, Principles, Competences and Code of Ethics. It recognises professionalism, supports career development and helps practitioners evidence their skills, knowledge and experience.
For paid staff and volunteers alike, registration offers professional recognition, access to a wider CLD community, and opportunities to reflect on and develop practice through ongoing learning. Importantly, registration is available at no cost to individual members, ensuring that all CLD practitioners can benefit regardless of their role or circumstances.
The CLD Standards Council Registration System
True to the collaborative approach of the CLD Standards Council Scotland, the CLD registration scheme has been developed for the sector, by the sector.
Shaped by the views and experiences of a wide range of CLD practitioners, the CLD registration scheme continues the culture of dialogue and debate, championing a shared sense of identity amongst practitioners, providing a national voice for the sector, and reaffirming the importance of CLD in Scotland.
The Registration System Document
This document describes the detail of the Registration System. The document is currently under review.
How the registration system developed
The CLD Standards Council is a body of practitioners, managers and academics from the voluntary and public community learning and development sector. These individuals give of their time to drive the work of the CLD Standards Council through four committees: Approvals, CPD, Registration and Membership and the Executive Committee.
The development of the registration system as it is followed from a consultation exercise with over 120 practitioners across Scotland through 13 consultation events. There followed further discussion at the Registration and Membership Committee and with members of the Executive Committee.
The registration system was revised in September 2016 to remove the 10 years experience route to registration.
Creating a parity of esteem
Parity of esteem with other professions was one of the main reasons people said they would support a registration system for CLD practitioners when we carried out our consultation. The examples most often quoted were those of teachers and social workers. The category of Associate member will be available to all practitioners, and the degree is already largely recognised as the licence to practice. The requirement for the Registered Member has been deliberately set higher than possession of the degree level qualification, so that it will demonstrate more than the achievement of an HE qualification -not just in experience but in professional identity, commitment and engagement.
There is already an existing group of qualified and experienced staff. This model of Membership will affirm their qualified, and experienced, status.
Learning and professional development doesn’t stop with the achievement of an approved degree level qualification – arguably that’s where it starts. Professional community learning and development practitioners will grow in skills, confidence and understanding as they practice their craft. The one year professional practice requirement provides the practitioner with opportunity to evidence their commitment and competence in real time, real world, real responsibility situations and in particular evidence the commitment to professional learning.
Why there no longer a CLD Standards Council IRP route to Registered Membership
Review and removal of the Individual Recognition Process (IRP):
The Registration and Membership Committee has established a dedicated working group to conduct a comprehensive review of the Individual Recognition Process (IRP). This initiative aligns with the operational delivery of our registration system and aims to:
- consolidate Community Learning and Development (CLD) as a clearly defined professional area.
- strengthen a shared professional identity across this diverse field of practice.
- define and maintain high standards within CLD practice.
Following extensive research and review of options, the working group made a recommendation regarding changes to the requirements for registered membership with the Standards Council. The CLD Standards Council Executive Committee approved the recommendation that registered membership should require a:
- recognised CLD qualification at SCQF level 9 or above, and
- minimum of one year’s CLD practice experience.
As part of this decision, the IRP process has been discontinued.
Furthermore, it was acknowledged that between 2013 and 2016, practitioners were able to obtain registered membership through a “Sunset Clause,” which permitted individuals with ten or more years of experience in CLD practice to become registered without holding a recognised or endorsed degree-level CLD qualification. Considerable effort has been dedicated to identifying those members who, through either the Sunset Clause or IRP, are affected by the changes to the registered membership requirements. These individuals have been contacted directly to provide support and guidance. All affected members are strongly encouraged to access the support and guidance which is being offered alongside this change.
This review and subsequent revised membership criteria helps address key issues within the Independent Review of CLD, aiming to support the inclusivity, professionalism, and future development of the CLD workforce. It provides clarity around what we mean by a professional CLD practitioner and will help create parity of esteem with other statutory professions.
“The bar for Membership of this professional organisation has been set clearly – and set high….in our view, supporting people through the process is preferable to lowering the bar.” CLD Standards Council website – Common questions about registration.
Recommendation 5: Still Report, Learning: For All. For Life (gov.scot) calls for recognition of the workforce as well as development of the CLD workforce and standards.
“The CLD professionals and volunteers, working with people facing the biggest challenges, deserve better recognition than they currently enjoy. For those who are qualified CLD professionals, there is a pressing need to ensure parity of esteem with similarly qualified professionals in related fields. As Scotland’s population continues to change, there is a need for the CLD workforce to change with it”.
The revised requirements for registered membership of the CLD Standards Council serve to clarify the criteria applied to all current and prospective members. Consequently, the introduction of an individual appeals process is not deemed appropriate. CLD practitioners may retain their membership with the CLD Standards Council without any change to their associated member benefits. No members will be removed from the Register; however, adjustments to individual membership categories may occur based on the level of recognised CLD qualifications held. All members will continue to have full access to the CLD Standards Council’s professional learning opportunities, support services, and associated member benefits.
If you have any queries regarding your membership status or wish to review and update your contact details, please access your personal membership information via your i-develop account.
If you have forgotten your login credentials, we can reset your password for you. Simply contact us at registration@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk