Education Scotland HM Inspectors of Education (HMIE) evaluate and report on, the quality of Community Learning and Development (CLD) provision within local authorities, in line with The Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013 and associated guidance for local authorities.

HM Inspectors have developed interim arrangements for implementation from academic year 2023-24, to support improvement and provide external assurance of the quality of CLD provision in Scotland.

HM Inspectors will undertake progress visits (PVs) to local authorities, commencing in September 2023. During PVs, HM Inspectors will take account of the extent to which local authorities are fulfilling their statutory duties in relation to CLD. HM Inspectors will evaluate the progress local authorities and their CLD partners are making to improve the quality of provision and services.

See further information on arrangements for the PVs.

PDF file: Community learning and development (CLD) arrangements for progress visits (349 KB)

Documents for the 2023-2024 Progress Visits

Word file: CLD self-evaluation template (26 KB)

PDF file: Supplementary Guidance (396 KB)

PDF file: Briefing Note for CLD partners (54 KB)

Word file: Documents to be provided in advance of the visit (17 KB)

Word file: Documents to be provided in the inspection team base (18 KB)

Word file: CLD Safeguarding / Child protection - pro forma (34 KB)

Word file: Draft meetings timetable (24 KB)

For further information please contact Sheila Brown HMI Lead Officer CLD.

CLD inspection and review reports

All current and previous Community Learning and Development inspection reports are available on our website.

A report on the Community Learning and Development Plans 2021-24 - Planning for change in Scotland's communities and an aspect review of progress made in implementing the CLD Regulations, Community Learning and Development (CLD) Planning has also been published.

During 2015 and 2016, Education Scotland explored place-based inspections by trying out some other models of inspection and review. Reviews of Creative Places and Development Trusts are published on our website.

How good is our community learning and development?

A new draft HGIOCLD? Framework is now available. This framework will be used in future models of CLD inspection.