Community Learning and Development in Scotland and internationally: literature review

This literature review documents research on Community Learning and Development (CLD) delivered within Scotland and internationally. The review forms part of the evidence base collected as part of the Independent Review of CLD, led by Kate Still.


Annex 4: References

Aarkrog, V. (2020). The standing and status of vocational education and training in Denmark. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 72(2), p170–188. The standing and status of vocational education and training in Denmark

Allatt, G. and Tett, L. (2018). Adult literacy practitioners and employability skills: resisting neo-liberalism? Journal of Education Policy, 34:4, pp. 577 – 594. Adult literacy practitioners and employability skills: resisting neo-liberalism?

Belton. B., Seneviratne, D., Jones, C., et al (2017). Youth Work in the Commonwealth: A Growth Profession. Commonwealth Secretariat. Youth Work in the Commonwealth

Berrie L, Adair L, Williamson L, Dibben C. (2023). Youth organizations, social mobility and health in middle age: evidence from a Scottish 1950s prospective cohort study. European Journal of Public Health. 33(1):6-12. Youth organizations, social mobility and health in middle age

Body, A. and Hogg, E. (2019). What mattered ten years on? Young people's reflections on their involvement with a charitable youth participation project. Journal of Youth Studies, 22:2, pp. 171 –186. What mattered ten years on? (kent.ac.uk)

Borgonovi, F. and Pokropek, A. (2021). The evolution of socio-economic disparities in literacy skills from age 15 to age 27 in 20 countries. British Educational Research Journal, 47: pp.1560 – 1586. The evolution of socio-economic disparities

Bourke, A., Vanderveken, J., Ecker, E., Bell, H., and Richie, K. (2020). “Teaching is a learning experience”: Exploring Faculty Engagement with Low-Income Adult Learners in a College-Community Partnership Program. Canadian Journal of Education/Revue Canadienne De l’éducation, 43(2), pp.313 – 340. Exploring Faculty Engagement with Low-Income Adult Learners in a College-Community Partnership Program

Brown, S. (2017). “Mixed Messages (or How to Undermine Your Own Policy): ESOL Provision in the Scottish FE Sector.” In The Principal: Power and Professionalism in FE, edited by Maire Daley, Kevin Orr and Joel Petrie, pp.46–56. (London: UCL IOE Press). Mixed messages (or how to undermine your own policy): ESOL provision in the Scottish FE sector - Enlighten Publications (gla.ac.uk)

Brown, S. (2019). ESOL, Emancipation and ‘Comfort Radicalism’: Perceptions of ESOL Practitioners in the Scottish Further Education Sector. In ESOL Provision in the UK and Ireland: Challenges and Opportunities, edited by Freda Mishan, pp.183–210. (Bern: Peter Lang). ESOL, emancipation and “comfort radicalism”: perceptions of ESOL practitioners in the Scottish further education sector - Enlighten Publications (gla.ac.uk)

Brown, S. (2021) The emancipation continuum: analysing the role of ESOL in the settlement of immigrants. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 42:5-6, pp. 864-880, DOI: 10.1080/01425692.2021.1908116. The emancipation continuum: analysing the role of ESOL in the settlement of immigrants

Bruine de Bruin, W., Slovic, P. (2021). Low numeracy is associated with poor financial well-being around the world. PLoS One, 22;16(11):e0260378. Low numeracy is associated with poor financial well-being around the world

Buchanan, D., and Warwick, I. (2020). Supporting adults with mental health problems through further education. Health Education Journal, 79(8), pp. 863 – 874. Supporting adults with mental health problems through further education (ucl.ac.uk)

Budac, A., Gareau-Brennan, C., Mucz, D., McNally, M., Rathi, D. (2020). Numeracy Programming at Major Canadian Urban Libraries: An Exploratory Study. Partnership 15(1), p1-22. Numeracy Programming at Major Canadian Urban Libraries

Cennamo, I., Kastner, M., and Tett, L. (2024). A Comparative Study of Values-Based Fields of Adult Learning and Education in Austria, Scotland, and South Tyrol, Italy: Practitioners Resisting Neoliberal Tendencies Based on Their Ideas of Social Justice. Adult Education Quarterly, 74(1), pp. 23 – 42. A Comparative Study of Values-Based Fields of Adult Learning and Education in Austria, Scotland, and South Tyrol, Italy

CLDSC (2022). Commission on Young Lives: Hidden in Plain Sight A national plan of action to support vulnerable teenagers to succeed and to protect them from adversity, exploitation, and harm. Community Learning and Development Standards Council. Commission on young lives

CLDSC (2023). CLD Standards Council report on Local Authority CLD budget allocation financial year 2023-2024. Community Learning and Development Standards Council. Report on Local Authority Community Learning and Development Budget Allocation 2023/24 (cldstandardscouncil.org.uk)

Cooper, S. (2012) Transformative Evaluation: An interpretive study of Youth workers’ experience of using participatory evaluation, Doctoral Thesis. Transformative Evaluation: An Interpretive Study of Youth Workers’ Experience of Using Participatory Evaluation

Corney, T., Cooper, T., Shier, H., and Williamson, H. (2022). Youth participation: Adultism, human rights and professional youth work. Children and Society, 36, 677–690. Youth participation: Adultism, human rights and professional youth work

Cree, A., Kay, A. and Steward, J. (2022). The Economic and Social Cost of Illiteracy: A Snapshot of Illiteracy in Global Context. World Literacy Foundation. The Economic Social Cost of Illiteracy 2022 (worldliteracyfoundation.org)

Daly, R. and Shanks, R. (2019). Universal to Targeted Community Learning and Development: changed work and a changing profession. Concept: The Journal of Contemporary Community Education Practice Theory, 10(2), p. 12. Available at: Universal to Targeted Community Learning and Development

Davidson, E. (2020). Social justice or social control? An ethnographic study of detached youth work in Scotland. Scottish Affairs, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 254 – 276. Social justice or social control?

de St Croix, T. (2018). Youth work, performativity and the new youth impact agenda: getting paid for numbers? Journal of Education Policy, 33:3, 414-438, DOI: 10.1080/02680939.2017.1372637. Youth work, performativity and the new youth impact agenda

de St Croix, T. and Doherty, L. (2022). Valuing youth work: Seven evidence-based messages for decision makers on youth work and evaluation. Valuing youth work (kcl.ac.uk)

Department for Education (2018). Quantitative programme of research for adult English and maths. Quantitative programme of research for adult English and maths

Department for Education (2019). English for speakers of other languages: Access and progression. English for speakers of other languages: access and progression

Desjardins, R. (2019). The labour market benefits of adult education from a global perspective. International Review of Education 65, pp. 955–973. The labour market benefits of adult education from a global perspective

Desjardins, R. (2020). PIAAC Thematic Review on Adult Learning. OECD Education Working Papers No. 223. EDU/WKP(2020)11. PIAAC Thematic Review on Adult Learning

Duckworth, V. and Tett, L. (2019). Transformative and emancipatory literacy to empower. International Journal of Lifelong Education: Vol 38, 4. Transformative and emancipatory literacy to empower

Easton, C. (2020). Spartans Alternative School: Building a bridge of trust. Scottish Affairs, 31:1. Spartans Alternative School: Building a bridge of trust

Education Scotland (2015a). Adult Literacies in Scotland: Survey of Progress and Priorities 2010-2015. Adult Literacies in Scotland - Education Scotland

Education Scotland (2015b). Working with Scotland’s Communities: A survey of who does community learning and development. Working with Scotland's Communities (i-develop-cld.org.uk)

Education Scotland (2022). Responsive, supportive and resilient communities: A review of community development during the pandemic. Responsive, supportive and resilient communities - Education Scotland

Education Scotland and CLDSC (2018). Working with Scotland’s Communities. Community Learning and Development Standards Council. Working with Scotland’s Communities | CLD Standards Council for Scotland

Edwards, S., (2017). Assessment of English language learners in New Zealand primary schools: Purposes, principles, and practices. Assessment Matters, 11. New Zealand Council for Educational Research (nzcer.org.nz)

Elsen, F. and Ord, J. (2023). ‘You Don’t Get Ditched’—Young People’s Mental Health and Youth Work: Challenging Dominant Perspectives. Youth 2023, 3(4), 1429–1440. Young People’s Mental Health and Youth Work

European Commission (2013). The Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC): Implications for education and training policies in Europe. The Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) 2013

European Commission (2014). Working with young people: the value of youth work in the European Union. Working with young people: the value of youth work in the European Union

European Commission (2019). Adult learning policy and provision in the Member States of the EU. Adult learning policy and provision in the Member States of the EU - Publications Office of the EU

European Commission (2020). Achievements under the Renewed European Agenda for Adult Learning. Report of the ET 2020 Working Group on Adult Learning (2018-2020)

European Commission (2023a). Finland – Adult education and training report. Adult education and training

European Commission (2023b). Denmark – Participation. 5.7 “Learning to participate” through formal, non-formal and informal learning

European Commission (2024a). Eurydice – Finland - 3. Funding in education - 3.3 Adult education and training funding. Adult education and training funding

European Commission (2024b). Eurydice – Denmark - 3. Funding in Education - 3.3 Adult Education and Training Funding. Adult Education and Training Funding

European Commission (2024c). Denmark Adult education and training report. Distribution of Responsibilities

Figueroa, K. (2023). The Role of Youth Work in Crime Prevention. University of Edinburgh Master’s Dissertation. In collaboration with YouthLink Scotland. Youth work role in crime prevention | YouthLink Scotland

Fisher, D., Aldegheri, E., Abdelghani, S. and Williamson, A. (2024). Integrating Scotland: A thematic literature review of research concerning New Scots 2014 – 2022. Integrating Scotland: A thematic literature review (newscots.scot)

Franklin, J. (2021). Counting on the recovery: The role for numeracy skills in ‘levelling up’ the UK. Pro Bono Economics. Counting on the Recovery (nationalnumeracy.org.uk)

Fraser, G, (2020). Community Development and the Austerity Decade (2010-19). Concept: The Journal of Contemporary Community Education Practice Theory. 11(1), Spring 2020. Community Development and the Austerity Decade (2010-19)

Fraser, G. (2023). From occupational to organisational professionalism: Exploring the changing nature of professionalism in community learning and development (1975–2019). Studies in the Education of Adults, pp. 1–13. From occupational to organisational professionalism (tandfonline.com)

Frontier Economics (2022). The Economic Value of Youth Work: A Report for UK Youth. Economic Value of Youth Work (ukyouth.org)

Fyfe, I., Biggs, H., Hunter, S., McAteer, J. and Milne, D. with contributions from Cooper, S., Martin, C., Meechan, M. and Thomas, A. (2018). The Impact of Community-based Universal Youth Work in Scotland. Commissioned by the Scottish Youth Work Research Steering Group. Impact of Community-based Universal Youth Work in Scotland (youthlink.scot)

Fyfe, I. and Mackie, A. (2022). Are you for real? Investigating authenticity in community-based youth work practice. Journal of Youth Studies 27(1). Investigating authenticity in community-based youth work practice

Galloway, S. (2016). Adult literacies in Scotland: is social practice being buried alive? In James N (ed.) Adult Education in Austere Times. Standing Conference on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults (SCUTREA) Conference Proceedings 2016. 45th Annual Conference, July 2016, Leicester, UK. Vaughan Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Leicester, pp. 95-101. SCUTREA conference proceedings 2016

Galloway, S. (2019). Social practices or functional skills? Rehabilitation or rights? An analysis of Scottish prison learning contracts. Encyclopaideia - Journal of Phenomenology and education. 23(53). Social Practices or Functional Skills? Rehabilitation or Rights?

Galloway, S. (2021). Unseen roots and unfolding flowers? Prison learning, equality and the education of socially excluded groups. British Educational Research Journal, 47(5), pp. 1416-1433. Prison learning, equality and the education of socially excluded groups

Government of Canada (2021). Council of Ministers of Education. 5th Global Report on Adult Learning and Education: Canada’s Submission to the Fifth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE V) 2021 (page 15). 2021 GRALE (cmec.ca)

Government of Canada (2022). Employment and Social Development Canada ESDC Evaluation of Literacy and Essential Skills. Evaluation of Literacy and Essential Skills - Canada.ca

Government of Canada (2023). Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 (Annex 1, Tables 1 and 7). Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Canada.ca

Government of New Zealand (2022). Literacy and Communication and Maths Strategy. Ministry of Education. Literacy and Communication and Maths Strategy (education.govt.nz)

Government of New Zealand (2024). $41 million for Alternative Education programmes. Ministry of Education website accessed June 2024. Last reviewed: 01 September 2023. Supporting those ākonga who need it the most – Education in New Zealand - Ministry of Education

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Gretschel, A., Kautto, T., Lehikoinen, J., Lehtonen, M., Särkiluoto, V., Tarvainen, K. (2023). Evaluation and Monitoring of the activities of youth organisations in the Nordics: What could be learned among the Nordic countries? Nordic Council of Ministers. Evaluation and monitoring of the activities of youth organisations in the Nordics (norden.org)

Institute for Fiscal Studies (2022). Adult education: the past, present and future. IFS Briefing Note BN344. Adult education: the past, present and future

Jarvis, J. (2020). Scotland's Framework for Good Practice in Working with Volunteers in ESOL. Language Issues, 31:1, pp. 4-15. Scotland's framework for good practice in working with volunteers

Kersh, N., and Laczik, A. (2021). Towards understanding of policy transfer and policy learning in adult education in the context of United Kingdom. Research in Comparative and International Education, 16(4), pp.384-404. Towards understanding of policy transfer and policy learning in adult education in the context of United Kingdom

Kiilakoski, T. (2020). Country Sheet on Youth Work in Finland. Youth Partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe. Country Sheet on Youth Work in Finland

Learning and Work Institute (2019a). Evidence review: What works to improve adult basic skills? Evidence review: What works to improve adult basic skills?

Learning and Work Institute (2019b). Social Metrics: Measuring the outcomes of non-accredited learning. Social Metrics: Measuring the outcomes of non-accredited learning - Learning and Work Institute

Learning and Work Institute (2022). Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2022. Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2022 - Learning and Work Institute

LGBT Youth Scotland (2020). The Impact of LGBT Youth Scotland’s Digital Youth Work on Young People. The Impact of LGBT Youth Scotland’s Digital Youth Work on Young People

LGBT Youth Scotland (2023). The Youth Work Survey 2023. The Youth Work Survey 2023

Liu, P., Li, X., Zhuoma, C. (2023). Understanding numeracy coach research in Canada: a review. International Journal of Comparative Education and Development 25(2). Understanding numeracy coach research in Canada: a review

Malessa, E. (2018). Learning to read for the first time as adult immigrants in Finland: Reviewing pertinent research of low-literate or non-literate learners’ literacy acquisition and computer-assisted literacy training. Apples : Journal of Applied Language Studies, 12(1), 25-54. Learning to read for the first time as adult immigrants in Finland

Martin, R. (2023). How to best support and encourage career progression amongst local authority CLD practitioners in Scotland? (University of Dundee). CLD Practitioners in Scotland - Martin (2023) Dissertation

McGregor, C. (2015). Universal Youth Work: A Critical Review of the Literature. University of Edinburgh. Universal Youth Work 2015 (ed.ac.uk)

McPherson, C. (2020). ‘It’s just so much better than school’: the redemptive qualities of further education and youth work for working-class young people in Edinburgh, Scotland. Journal of Youth Studies, 23, pp. 307 - 322. The redemptive qualities of further education and youth work for working-class young people in Edinburgh, Scotland

Meer, N., Peace, T. and Hill, E. (2019). English Language Education for Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Scotland : Provision and Governance. GLIMER (Governance and Local Integration of Migrants and Europe's Refugees) Project, Edinburgh and Glasgow. English Language Education for Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Scotland : Provision and Governance

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OECD (2019b). Getting Skills Right: Future-Ready Adult Learning Systems. Table A D.1. Government financing of adult learning across OECD countries. Getting Skills Right (oecd-ilibrary.org)

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OECD (2023). Education at a Glance 2023: OECD Indicators – Denmark. Denmark | Education at a Glance 2023

Ord, J. and Monks, A. (2022). Food poverty and youth work – A community response. Critical Social Policy 42(1), pp. 64–84. Food Poverty and Youth Work - A Community Response

Ord, J., Carletti, M., Morciano, D., Siurala, L., Dansac, C., Cooper, S. et al. (2022). European Youth Work Policy and Young People’s Experience of Open Access Youth Work. Journal of Social Policy. 51(2): 303–23. European Youth Work Policy and Young People’s Experience of Open Access Youth Work

Pandey, M., Maina, R.G., Amoyaw, J., Li, Y., Kamrul, R., Michaels, C. R. and Maroof, R. (2021). Impacts of English language proficiency on healthcare access, use, and outcomes among immigrants: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research 21, 741. Impacts of English language proficiency on healthcare access, use, and outcomes among immigrants: a qualitative study

Pawluczuk, A. (2020). Digital youth inclusion and the big data divide: examining the Scottish perspective. Internet Policy Review, 9(2). Digital youth inclusion and the big data divide: examining the Scottish perspective

Pawluczuk, A., Webster, G., Smith, C. and Hall, H. (2019). The Social Impact of Digital Youth Work: What Are We Looking For? Media and Community, 7(2). The Social Impact of Digital Youth Work: What Are We Looking For?

Phipps, A., Aldegheri, E., Fisher, D. (2022) The New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy: A report on the local and international dimensions of integrating refugees in Scotland. The New Scots Refugee Integration (gla.ac.uk)

Purcell, M. E. (2022) Hope in ‘Catastrophic’ Times: Participants’ Stories of Nurture and Transformation from an Innovative Community Learning Initiative. Research in Post-Compulsory Education, 27(2), pp. 219 – 241. Hope in ‘catastrophic’ times: participants’ stories of nurture and transformation from an innovative (dundee.ac.uk)

Purcell, M. E. (2024). ‘It’s Why Young People Choose to Come Here’: Professional Love and the Ethic of Care in UK Youth Work Practice. Ethics and Social Welfare, 18(2), pp.149-163. Professional Love and the Ethic of Care in UK Youth Work Practice

Rahbarikorroyeh, H. (2020). Lived experiences of ESOL provision: English learning by Syrian refugees in Aberdeenshire. Concept: The Journal of Contemporary Community Education Practice Theory. 11(2), pp. 1-13. Lived experiences of ESOL provision

Rasmussen, P. (2018). Independent national experts network in the area of adult education/adult skills: Full Country Report – Denmark. Publications Office of the European Union. Independent national experts network in the area of adult education/adult skills: Full Country Report – Denmark

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Adult lifetime skills: a literature review

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Slade, B. L. and Dickson, N. (2020). Adult education and migration in Scotland: policies and practices for inclusion. Journal of Adult and Continuing Education. Adult education and migration in Scotland (gla.ac.uk)

Sonneveld, J., Rijnders, J., Metz, J., Van Regenmortel, T. and Schalk, R. (2020). The contribution of professional youth work to the development of socially vulnerable youngsters: A multiple case study. Children and Youth Services Review, 118. The contribution of professional youth work to the development of socially vulnerable youngsters

Sonneveld, J., Metz, J., Manders, W. et al. (2022). The Contribution of Professional Youth Work to the Personal Development and Social Participation of Socially Vulnerable Youngsters: A Dutch Longitudinal Cohort Study. Child Adolescent Social Work Journal 39, 361–373. The Contribution of Professional Youth Work to the Personal Development and Social Participation of Socially Vulnerable Youngsters

Stella, F. and Kay, R. (2023). Language learning and migrant 'integration' in Scotland: exploring infrastructure, provision and experience. University of Glasgow. Language learning and migrant 'integration' in Scotland: exploring infrastructure, provision and experiences (gla.ac.uk)

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Velinovska, A. (2020). The role of youth work in advancing the political literacy of young people in Scotland. University of Edinburgh. Masters Dissertation: Youth Work Role in Political Literacy (youthlink.scot)

Walsh, C., and Ken, H. (2019). Research Informed Youth Work Practice in Northern Ireland: Recommendations for Engaging Adolescent Boys and Young Men. Child Care in Practice, 27(2). Research Informed Youth Work Practice in Northern Ireland

Ward, S., McBride, M. and Watson, N. (2024). Evaluating youth empowerment in neighbourhood settings: applying the capabilities 3C model to evidence and extend the social justice outcomes of youth work in Scotland, Journal of Youth Studies, 27(1), pp.125 – 140. Evaluating youth empowerment in neighbourhood settings

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YouthLink Scotland (2023a). The Impact of Community-Based Universal Youth Work in Dumfries and Galloway. The Impact of Community-Based Universal Youth Work in Dumfries and Galloway

YouthLink Scotland (2023b). The Impact of Community-Based Universal Youth Work in Edinburgh. The Impact of Community-Based Universal Youth Work in Edinburgh

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