Independent Review of Community Learning and Development: consultation analysis

6. Other comments

The practitioner and learner consultations included a final question inviting respondents to provide any further comments or evidence about CLD. Responses are summarised below.

Practitioners

Practitioners

Question 16. Please use the space below to provide any further thoughts or evidence about Community Learning & Development.

A total of 212 practitioners provided a comment at Question 16.

More than half of these respondents took the opportunity to reiterate key points raised across the four consultation themes considered earlier in the report. This was most commonly in relation to the visibility and accessibility of CLD, professional standards within the sector, learner pathways, and delivery of positive outcomes.

Other points raised at this question are outlined below.

• Practitioners comments on the need for clarity around the role of CLD, and in particular greater recognition of the value of CLD and the positive impacts being delivered for individuals and communities. This included a focus on the impact of CLD for those who face multiple barriers into employment or education and for whom formal education may be less effective, and acknowledgement of the wider social and economic value being delivered in terms of community development and empowerment. Practitioners also noted the positive contribution made by CLD to national outcomes including in relation to community empowerment, community wealth building and wider economic strategy. In this context, there were calls for a stronger role for CLD in national policy, and a clear statement on the role and status of CLD in relation to schools, colleges and universities. The latter point was seen as particularly important in enabling the sector to compete for reducing budgets and resourcing.
• Issues around professional standards included a perceived need for a sufficiently resourced national professional body for the sector. Some wished to see clarity around the role and status of the CLDSC, including in relation to governance structures, and how the CLDSC engages with other professional and regulatory bodies. There were calls for a greater emphasis on professional qualifications and standards across the sector, and consideration of the relative status of qualified and volunteer practitioners in the sector.
• Discussion of the value of CLD identified a perceived lack of recognition of the contribution made by the third sector, with some seeing this as indicative of a lack of trust in the ability of third sector providers and volunteer practitioners to deliver positive outcomes. Practitioners also saw a need for greater acknowledgement of the value being delivered by the third sector, including as a means of ensuring the diversity of CLD providers and learning opportunities.
• A range of practitioners suggested that additional investment is required across the sector, to ensure the ongoing viability of CLD provision and to enable delivery of national policy objectives and outcomes. This reflected concerns that continuing pressure on public sector finances could lead to further reduction in CLD opportunities. Some called for stronger legislation and regulation for CLD, specifically in the context of enabling the sector to better compete for limited public resources.
• Some practitioners expressed hope that the Independent Review could help to raise awareness of CLD and strengthen its role at the national policy level. However, there was also concern around the terms and scope of the Review. It was suggested that the Review is based on a definition of CLD that is too narrow, placing too much emphasis on the learning and employability/skills development elements of CLD. These practitioners wished to see more focus on the community development, adult learning and youth work aspects of CLD, seen as essential in ensuring all “strands” of CLD are valued and adequately supported. There was also concern that the Review does not recognise the interconnectedness of professional practice areas within the sector, and there were calls for a commitment to CLD as a single profession.

Learners

Learners/Potential learners

Question 12. Is there anything else that you want to tell us about Community Learning & Development?

A total of 492 learners answered Question 12.

The majority of these respondents commented positively on their experience of CLD, in many cases reiterating points discussed at earlier questions. This included reference to direct positive outcomes such as developing skills, gaining qualifications, and improving employability. Learners also referred to other benefits for their physical and mental health, and to the social aspects of their CLD experience as having improved their emotional wellbeing and confidence. Some also emphasised the extent to which they had enjoyed their learning experience and expressed an interest in further learning.

Learners also referred to wider community benefits associated with CLD, especially for deprived areas and those facing barriers to education or employment. In the context of these benefits, and their personal experience, learners wished to see continuing access to CLD in their local area. This included specific calls for continuation of the CLD opportunities and classes taken by respondents.

Comments highlighted a need for better communication to improve awareness of CLD opportunities, with some learners indicating that they had been unable to find information on local opportunities. There was also a view that existing provision could be more widely used. This included reference to potential barriers for those wishing to access CLD, such as travel or childcare costs.

Other learners felt there is unmet need for CLD and wished to see an increase in local provision. In addition to an overall increase in the level of provision, learners also made reference to specific type(s) of provision that they wished to see made available locally. An increase in resourcing was suggested to enable an expansion in provision to better meet need.