Clackmannanshire Council Online

Community Learning and Development praised by Inspectors

Community learning and development (CLD) partners within Clackmannanshire and in the Alloa South East area have been praised by inspectors.

Inspectors from Education Scotland visited Clackmannanshire in October and November 2018. During the visit Education Scotland staff talked to a range of staff, volunteers, children, young people, adults and community organisations. CLD includes adult learning opportunities and how communities are supported to develop themselves.

Inspectors found that community groups across Alloa South East were confident, skilled and active, learners are well supported to progress their learning, with local organisations working hard to ensure that barriers to participation are overcome. CLD was improving outcomes for local people across Alloa South East, enhancing the lives of young people and their families with increasing numbers of local residents volunteering and more young people gaining Saltire awards.

The picture of young people is particularly strong within the inspection report, with positive relationships between staff and young people, young people being active in their community, through leadership and involvement in organisations.

CLD youth work provision is well targeted to those most in need with flexible learning solutions providing an adaptable programme for young people, leading to accreditation and progress to other learning. Young people on Activity Agreements are developing life skills and gaining confidence and experience.

This inspection of CLD in Clackmannanshire found the following key strengths:

• Improved leadership and direction of CLD
• Inclusive, skilled community organisations improving lives
• Well targeted bespoke provision for young people

Inspectors agreed with partners how they might continue to improve their work. Improvements agreed are:

• Improve shared self-evaluation and performance monitoring
• Include community voice in planning structures at all levels
• Build on plans to improve adult and family learning

Education Spokesperson Cllr Graham Lindsay said: “We are delighted with this positive report from Education Scotland. It is testament to the hard work carried out by everyone involved in improving learning opportunities for young people and adults across Clackmannanshire.

“With areas for improvement agreed, I’m confident that community learning and development will continue to go from strength to strength, helping people to learn useful skills, and just as importantly, to build confidence.”