High performance of Community Learning and Development services praised
Last updated | 15/07/2008
Perth & Kinross Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) services have received a very positive assessment from HMIe inspectors in a report published today (Tuesday 15 July.)
CLD services work with people in their communities, either in a group or on a one to one basis. They aim to raise standards of achievement in learning for adults through community-based activities, engage with young people to help them to gain a voice, influence and a place in society, and improve communities by helping people to be confident, skilled and active community members.
The HMIe report looked at the provision of such services and projects, concentrating on Strathearn and Eastern Perthshire. Inspectors consulted with staff members, people in local communities and partnership agencies.
They found the following key strengths:
• Positive motivated staff and volunteers, who demonstrated high levels of commitment to their local areas
• A range of projects and activities that enabled young people and adults to gain confidence, and progress to further learning opportunities
• Staff made a significant difference to the lives of learners
• The work of community staff to regenerate local communities
• The range of partnerships in North and Eastern Perthshire that included employers, community groups, schools and further education
• The work with social enterprises, community development trusts and cultural organisations that now provide local communities with a range of innovative services.
Examples of good practice highlighted in the report included Youth Council elections held for the Scottish Youth Parliament, the setting up of a Skaters Forum for young people and the increased participation in adult learning programmes thanks to the efforts of CLD staff.
Also praised was the building of links with local colleges, employers and community organisations to provide a varied literacy and numeracy programme, the development of an ICT course for older learners, the development of Community Development trusts in Comrie, Braco and Auchterarder and the forming of a Health Improvement Network to focus on health priorities such as smoking cessation.
Councillor Grant said: “This inspection report is very positive indeed and shows the huge amount of excellent work being done by CLD staff and our partners to improve the lives of people, and build confident, active and inclusive communities.
“There are many excellent initiatives already in place, but we are not complacent and will continue working to make sure all of our residents have access to the best services possible.
"Overall, this is one of the best reports to be published nationally and it clearly demonstrates that we are moving very much in the right direction. I am delighted with the inspectors’ comments.”
Inspectors also highlighted some main points for action to address areas where improvement can be made:
• Involve young people through their representative forums in community regeneration and social enterprises present in North and Eastern Perthshire
• Extend approaches in equalities work in other parts of the Council area that address barriers such as transport and lack of access to retail and financial services to North and Eastern Perthshire
• Develop a more systematic and planned approach to measuring, recording and evaluating the impact of community capacity building support.
Councillor Grant added: "These are a few areas where we can look to improve upon. We will prepare an action plan indicating how we will address these points."
No further visits will be required by HMIe in relation to this inspection.
