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  • Independent review of community learning and development - For practitioners and organisations

    Created: 29/01/2024
    News/Events Category: Consultations


    The Scottish Government has launched an independent review into community learning and development (CLD). 

    Community Learning & Development (CLD) is a field of professional practice that enables people to identify their own individual and collective goals, to engage in learning and take action to bring about change for themselves and their communities.

    It uses a range of formal and informal methods of learning and social development with individuals and groups in their communities.

    With a focus on removing barriers to learning for the most marginalised people within society, high quality CLD practice creates opportunities for people who:

    • Have few or no qualifications
    • Require support to engage in learning opportunities
    • Face personal, social or systemic barriers in accessing learning and meeting their personal learning goals

    CLD learning can take the form of Youth Work activities, Community-based Adult Learning, Family Learning, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), numeracy and literacy classes.

    It can be delivered in a variety of environments including schools, colleges and community facilities. Learning is individually tailored to meet specific needs to help remove barriers to learning and work for young people, adults and families. Delivery is offered by practitioners on a one to one basis or within a group depending on the needs of the individual.

    There are many actors across the CLD delivery landscape including local authorities (who have a statutory duty to plan CLD provision), third sector organisations, voluntary organisations, colleges, schools and health providers at a national, regional and local level. However, the bulk of professional CLD provision is funded by local authorities in an attempt to meet the needs identified through the CLD planning process.

    About the review

    The review will make recommendations on where changes may be required to deliver those outcomes through CLD practice in the context of wider education reform, whilst ensuring sector readiness to meet future known or unknown challenges, whilst being mindful of current challenges around public finances.

    More specifically, the review will:

    • Consider the extent to which CLD is contributing to delivering positive outcomes in line with Scottish Government priorities, including examination of the respective roles and responsibilities of those involved;
    • Provide information and recommendations relating to:
      • Effective and consistently measured outcomes delivered through CLD and reported across the sector. This includes data on the CLD workforce, engagement opportunities and outcomes for learners.
      • Delivering positive outcomes and improved life chances for marginalised and vulnerable learners in communities, in the context of wider education reform and public finance constraints.
      • A strong and suitably professionalised CLD workforce equipped to deliver high quality outcomes for learners.
      • This will help us to understand the breadth and impact of CLD on learners in Scotland’s communities, and where services support outcomes for marginalised learners

    Take part 

    You can take part in this survey if you are a CLD practitioner, budget holder, decision maker, organisation with direct or indirect interest in CLD, a professional or volunteer working in CLD-related services such as employability, mental health or money advice. 

    Click here to complete the survey. 

    The survey closes on Sunday 03 March 2024. 




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