About Community Learning and Development

​​Community learning and development (CLD) practice covers a broad range of practice including youth work, community based adult learning, family learning and community development.

CLD empowers people of all ages to work individually or collectively to make positive changes in their lives, and in their communities, through learning, personal development and active citizenship.

CLD work in Scotland is guided by the Strategic Guidance for Community Planning partnerships: Community learning and development (2012) document and underpinned in legislation through The Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013. A Revised CLD Guidance Note is now available.

The focus of community learning and development in Scotland is:

1. improved life chances for people of all ages, through learning, personal development and active citizenship
2. stronger, more resilient, supportive, influential and inclusive communities.

National strategies for youth work and adult learning are currently being updated and are due to be launched later in 2021. The most recent previous strategies are outlined below. Our ambitions for improving the life chances of young people in Scotland are set out in the National Youth Work Strategy 2014-2019. An interim report on the National Youth Work Strategy, produced in July 2017, is also available.

PDF file: National Youth Work Strategy 2014-19 (1.1 MB)

PDF file: National Youth Work Strategy 2014-19, Interim Report (July 2017) (3.4 MB)

Adult Learning in Scotland, a Statement of Ambition 2014 sets out the Scottish Government’s belief in the key role that effective adult learning plays at the core of a Scottish knowledge-based society.

PDF file: Adult Learning in Scotland - A Statement of Ambition (1.2 MB)

Adult Literacies in Scotland 2020 (ALIS 2020) aims to promote equal access to and participation in literacies learning for all adults.

PDF file: Adult Literacies​ in Scotland: Survey of progress and priorities 2010-2015 (794 KB)

Other key documents for adult literacies:

• PDF file: Scotland's Adult Literacies Curriculum Framework Guidelines: learning, teaching and assessment (1.28 MB)
• PDF file: A professional development framework for Scotland's adult literacies workforce (911 KB)

Welcoming Our Learners: Scotland's ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Strategy 2015-2020 sets out the importance and context of ESOL learning in Scotland while the Mid Strategy Review, published in June 2018, gives a summary of activity to date.

PDF file: Scotland's ESOL Strategy 2015-20 (2.1 MB)

PDF file: Mid Strategy Review - Welcoming Our Learners: Scotland’s ESOL Strategy 2015-2020 (431 KB)

Community learning and development builds the capacity of communities to do things for themselves and have their voices heard in the planning and delivery of services. It therefore contributes to the Scottish Government’s ambitions for community empowerment and participation.

Related links

• CLD Standards Council for Scotland - sets out the competences and ethics for community learning and development practice
• Youthlink Scotland - the national agency for youth work
• Standing Literacy Commission Report - includes overall progress within literacies up to 2015
• National Standards for Community Engagement - good-practice principles designed to support and inform the process of community engagement, and improve what happens as a result.

Wider policy context

'CfE Briefing 10: The role of community learning and development (CLD) and partnership working' explores the important contribution that CLD is making to CfE outcomes for learners through partnership working in educational establishments and communities.

PDF file: CfE Briefing 10 - The role of CLD and partnership working (2.4 MB)

Other policy links include:

• Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
• Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)
• Developing Scotland's Young Workforce
• Time to Shine - Scotland's Youth Arts Strategy for ages 0-25
• Giving children and young people a sporting chance - Scotland's sport strategy for children and young people
• Early Years Collaborative
• Opportunities For All - Post-16 transitions - Policy and Practice Framework
• Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act
• Skills for Scotland: A Lifelong Skills Strategy

Organisations supporting adult learning

• Colleges Scotland - supports, represents and promotes the Scottish college sector
• College Development Network - supports the sector to deliver best practice, share innovations and develop colleges and their staff
• Dyslexia Scotland - volunteer-led charity that encourages and enables people with dyslexia, regardless of their age and abilities, to reach their potential
• ePlatorm for Adult Learning in Europe (EPALE) - online platform for adult learning in Europe
• Lead Scotland - a voluntary organisation widening access to learning for disabled young people, adults and carers across Scotland
• Learning Link Scotland - the national intermediary organisation for voluntary organisations that deliver adult learning
• Scotland's Learning Partnership - a national partnership of adult learners and providers in Scotland
• Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) - Scotland's national qualifications framework
• Scottish Qualifications Authority - executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government, responsible for accrediting educational awards
• Workers' Educational Association - a national, democratic, voluntary sector provider of community-based and workplace-based adult learning