Strategic Guidance for Community Learning & Development East Lothian Learning Partnership Conference Dec 2012

Focus for today Why new strategic guidance now? What is it seeking to achieve? What are the opportunities and the issues for practice?

Why Guidance Now? Major changes in context, policy and practice since 2004 Putting Learners at the Centre: delivering our ambitions for post-16 education Scottish Government commitment to work with partners to develop a CLD strategy Reform of public services SG’s response to the Christie Commission Community Empowerment Renewal Bill & Review of Community Planning

Context : the future of public services “The focus of public spending and action must build on the assets and potential of the individual, the family and the community…Public services must work harder to involve people in the redesign and reshaping of their activities” (Scottish Government’s response to the report of the Commission on the Future of Public Service Delivery)

Context : Putting Learners at the Centre Scottish Government proposals for post-16 education include: Develop a CLD Strategy with local authorities, 3 rd sector and others Opportunities and flexible pathways for all learners CfE, 16+ Learning Choices and Activity Agreements: key role for CLD Improving alignment of CLD with SDS & Job Centre + Improving life-chances and job prospects, in particular for “those who have been out of work or learning for a long time”

Context: Review of CPPs “ Communities… have a key role to play in helping to shape and coproduce better outcomes …if community planning partnerships are to unlock that potential, their foundations must be built on a strong understanding of their communities, an provide genuine opportunities to consult, engage and involve them.”

Context: Review of CPPs “Preventative approaches will involve a shift in influence, from those who provide services to those who use them, with greater co-ownership … with people rather than just for them. “ “ This empowering of..communities at the centre of service design..with service users better able through their relationships with staff to draw on assets already available in local areas (including the strengths, knowledge and experiences of communities, families and individuals).” EMBEDDING PREVENTION IN SOAs – Cosla SG 2012

SOA Guidance Priorities “there is significant scope to reduce inequalities;” “partnership working and community engagement and co-production are seen as being critical to achieving the transformational change “ CPP review - Paper on SOA Guidance Oct 2012

Context: Who Delivers CLD? Less public sector provision Growth and diversity in voluntary sector Specialist CLD - disconnected – Housing, Equalities, Comm Care Resources under pressure Better connections required - across CLD services & sectors Including staff in mainstream services

Key Messages Inclusive partnership working, across sectors and active communities is essential Re-affirms CLD’s role in working to reduce inequalities Identifies activities that deliver CLD outcomes Emphasis's CLD’s role in prevention & and delivering the National Performance Framework Restates importance of developing the workforce and the key role of self- evaluation for improvement Reinforces CLD as a consistent, central element of public services. Requires CPPs to lead implementation and

The purpose of CLD To empower people, individually and collectively, to make positive changes in their lives and in their communities, through learning. Within the National Performance Framework, CLD should focus on: Improved life chances for people of all ages, through learning, personal development and active citizenship Stronger, more resilient, supportive, influential and inclusive communities.

What are the key activities that will deliver the outcomes we expect? Community development, including: Building community capacity Enabling communities to engage with decision-making Early intervention with children, young people and families, including: Youth work Family learning Community-based adult learning, including: Adult literacy and numeracy ESOL Learning for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, including people with disabilities, care leavers or offenders Volunteer development Learning support and guidance in the community

Who is it aimed at? Strategic not operational guidance Community Planning Partnerships – responsible for leading implementation Local authorities: leadership and direction Public agencies and services, voluntary organisations, schools, NHS, housing associations, equalities groups, social enterprises Communities including young people Strategic focus – operational impact

Related Scottish Government activity… Exploration of legislative powers for CLD & CERB Reviewing and strengthen role of CPPs Consideration of the future of pre-service training for CLD Integration of CLD in post-16 Education Reform Funding support for community & third sector organisations

Doing things differently Core role in public services A new partnership with communities Empowerment Prevention Inclusive partnerships Workforce development that keeps pace with change Performance

Implementation framework & Action Plan Raising awareness of the SG and its policy content - CLD stakeholders Promote the wider benefit of CLD in policy and other services Establish the mechanisms for the strategic approach Ensure that these are informed by learning from practice

Policy and strategy Working with Government to create a stronger legislative base for CLD. Working to ensure that - Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill and the Review of Community Planning are developed and implemented in a joined up way. Working with policy colleagues to identify and promote CLD across a range of policies.

Support community planning by Supporting Local needs assessment and CLD planning Encouraging CLD approaches – through joint workforce development

Improving practice by Identifying and sharing good practice Supporting effective practice networks Supporting and delivering CPD activities Developing inspection and scrutiny arrangements Supporting improvement through self- evaluation

Workforce development Support local partnerships to embed CPD in their strategies and practice. Work with partners to deliver national CPD programmes addressing key needs and opportunities. Work with the CLD Standards Council to ensure that the national CPD strategy and i-develop drive and support workforce development Promote CLD approaches in broader workforce development for service reform

Quality assurance and quality improvement, Explore and develop new models of support for self-evaluation and review. Work with partners to develop and pilot the new learning community inspection model. Working with the Improvement Service to develop improved indicators for the impact of CLD work.

Questions to consider How does the guidance relate to what you currently do? What opportunities and challenges exist? How can you make effective use of the guidance and contribute to achieving its aims?