Evaluation of community learning and development in Scotland
Foreword
I am delighted to present this evaluation of community learning and development (CLD), which is the culmination of a year’s worth of visits to Scotland’s 32 local authorities in 2023/24.
This report follows two previous reports: Improving life chances and empowering communities (January 2020) and Responsive, supportive and resilient communities. (September 2022). It is particularly timely in view of the review of CLD for the Scottish Government, led by Kate Still, and ahead of the Scottish Government’s response.
CLD is integral to the education system in Scotland bringing together youth work, adult learning, family learning, and community empowerment and development under one approach.
CLD is more than just an approach; it is a profession. Its specific methodologies are also adopted by other professions and sectors. So, although its impact is not always straightforward to track in the same way that education outcomes might be, the reach of CLD across the country is significant, and deep.
The person-centred, non-judgemental approach that is at the heart of CLD means that staff, volunteers and partners can reach those who face additional challenges in their lives. They are able to support people to make positive changes to their lives and to their communities. They support many children, young people and adults to discover new ways to engage in and enjoy learning, helping them overcome challenges.
Our report highlights where CLD leaders, staff, volunteers and partners are having the greatest impact. We highlight strengths such as how volunteers, local groups and voluntary organisations work to expand the range of social, educational and community opportunities across Scotland. We also explain how the CLD sector is at the forefront of responding to wider changes in society, for example supporting new Scots or working with local organisations to enable communities to be more resilient towards emergencies such as flooding.
Our report also emphasises messages from our previous reports around the critical issues that the sector continues to face. These include the complexity of and variation in how CLD is governed and resourced, which is increasing the disparity in the support that learners and communities facing the greatest challenges are offered.
Nowhere is this more evident than in community-based adult learning. Inspectors have seen time and again how local authorities have narrowed their focus to particular areas, such as literacies and employment support. While this is understandable in the current economic climate, it is reducing the informal routes into lifelong learning for adults significantly – and that creates a vulnerability in our communities.
As far as resourcing is concerned, an increasing number of CLD posts are only funded short-term. Inspectors have seen how this short-termism - understandable as it is - is having an impact on the sustainability of programmes and on the recruitment, retention and expertise in CLD methodologies of staff.
These are pressures that the sector has faced for some years but that are becoming more acute as society in Scotland is evolving. However, a long-standing issue for the sector is how it can demonstrate its full impact.
As we look forward to the Scottish Government response to the Still Review, it is our role as an inspectorate to make sure that our work with the CLD sector reflects its responsiveness and professionalism; that our inspection of CLD helps the sector to build resilience and continue to meet the diverse needs of our diverse communities.
HM Inspectors are privileged to hear how, for many people, participation in CLD is life-changing. In a few cases, it has been life-saving. It is my privilege that I also see this critical aspect of the Scottish education system.
Janie McManus
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education
