The establishment of the council

The CLDSC developed from a commitment made in the Scottish Executive report, Empowered to Practice (2003), which considered the future of CLD training in Scotland. In June 2004 a Short Life Task Group was convened to advise Scottish Ministers about establishing a practitioner-led body with responsibility for endorsement and accreditation of training, consideration of a model for registration for CLD practitioners and development of a model of supported induction and continuing professional development (Professional Learning). Its first recommendation was that: “A professional body specifically for the community learning and development sector.should be established and the central role of the CLD professional body should be to ensure high standards of practice in the sector.” 

The recommendations of the group can be found in full in  Strengthening Standards: Improving the Quality of Community Learning and Development Service Delivery (2007).  Scottish Ministers agreed that the CLD Standards Council should be put in place, building on the work of CeVe Scotland. 

In 2008 the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning formally established the CLD Standards Council and directed it to: 

• deliver a professional approvals structure for qualifications, courses and 
  development opportunities for people involved in CLD
• consider and establish a registration system available to practitioners delivering  and active in CLD practice
• develop and establish a model of supported induction, Professional Learning and training opportunities