Category: ESOL

Dyslexia Scotland Update

Dyslexia Scotland is a national charity dedicated to enabling people with dyslexia in Scotland to realise their potential.  They have been very busy, working away developing events that support and inspire learners, volunteers and staff.  They have a range of activities and opportunities on offer at the moment:

Dyslexia Scotland’s website is changing. Here’s how we’re improving it:

Dyslexia Scotland’s website is changing | Dyslexia Scotland

Dyslexia Education Conference – bookings now open

ONLINE Dyslexia Education Conference 2022 Registration, Sat 1 Oct 2022 at 09:30 | Eventbrite

Dyslexia Scotland Helpline:

Helpline | Dyslexia Scotland

You will find more information on all upcoming events here:

Dyslexia Scotland |   

https://twitter.com/DyslexiaScotlan?s=20&t=AQ3tqOymqy1cKPTW1b0tLg

Digital CLD Programme Investment

Announcement from Jamie Hepburn MSP on the new Scottish Government funded Digital CLD Programme being rolled out over the next few months

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When Scottish Government has been engaging with Community Learning & Development (CLD) stakeholders, the issue of digital upskilling for CLD practitioners has been a consistent topic on everyone’s mind. Indeed, Working with Scotland’s Communities 2018, a workforce analysis of CLD in Scotland, reported that digital skills were one of the most common development needs of the workforce and are the skills that employers most often struggle to find when recruiting staff.

Even though this was a topic at the forefront of our minds before the pandemic, stakeholders have told us that COVID-19 has only exacerbated the need for digital upskilling. The message has been clear: CLD practitioners need investment to help them build their digital capabilities in order to better support CLD learners.

With the need for skills development in mind, I was only too pleased that – earlier this year – the Scottish Government committed £500,000 to support the development of CLD practitioners. This funding sought to develop digital skills and capacity among CLD practitioners, ultimately ensuring that better CLD provision is delivered to those who need it most.

Three great projects have been awarded over £400.000 so far and I wanted to take this opportunity to share information on those projects with you.

 

The Open University in Scotland

The Open University in Scotland (OU) has been funded to develop a workforce offer for the CLD sector. With more than 50 years’ experience of widening access, the OU understands the adult learner journey and the barriers people face in accessing higher education, and are committed to the vision that ‘Adult learning in Scotland will develop better skilled, educated, confident and empowered people contributing to connected and inclusive communities.’

The OU’s project will work with partners to develop an online portal with free, online learning resources for the CLD workforce and it will offer CLD practitioners at least 200 funded places on Open University micro-credentials (short courses) through its FutureLearn platform. To help roll out learning workshops to local authorities and third sector providers all over Scotland, they are creating a network of Regional Champions to roll out learning workshops to every region of Scotland. These champions will also facilitate learning clubs for practitioners undertaking workshops,  courses and other learning opportunities.

With a social mission is to make education accessible to all, and a commitment to partnership working to enhance the offer, Scottish Government believes that partnering with the OU is a good opportunity to offer a range of development opportunities to the CLD workforce.

 

CLD Standards Council

The Community Learning and Development Standards Council (CLDSC) is supporting the development of a CLD digital framework for the sector. As the professional body for CLD – including adult learning, community development and youth work – they are supporting the development as part of their responsibility to support the professional learning of its members and to quality assure CLD related learning programmes.  Funding from Scottish Government will allow the CLDSC to appoint a new member of staff to support the creation of a coherent space for CLD digital support.

The CLDSC will work closely with CLD sector leaders to develop new and relevant digital competences in line with the professional CLD competences, ethics and values.

 

Digital Schools Award

A new Digital Award programme for CLD is now under development through an education-industry collaboration led by tech companies working closely with various partners, including national CLD partner organisations and learners themselves.  The Digital CLD Award will be shaped by these partners to highlight the ways digital technologies are stimulating innovation and improving learning opportunities.  As a national Award, it will promote and build capacity in effective uses of digital technologies by organisations.

The Award will recognise the many planned and ongoing improvements that organisations are making in developing the skills of their staff to improve the ways they can reach and support learners through digital technologies. It will have a key focus on sharing practice and strengthening skills in using digital technologies across the CLD sector. That will include through the important promotion of strong cyber resilience and internet safety practices, and digital wellbeing.

The CLD Award will also highlight how well these increasing uses of digital approaches are impacting on the experiences and skills of learners themselves.  Together, CLD practitioners and learners are helping to build the digitally literate and inclusive young people, adults and communities of the future.  This national Digital CLD Award, backed by the education-industry partnership, will play a significant role in acknowledging and celebrating these important digital achievements of our CLD workforce and learners.

 

The remaining funding

I hope you’ll agree that the projects funded to-date will help begin to advance the digital skills of CLD practitioners all over Scotland, and I hope you’ll engage with them when given the opportunity. I’m delighted that Scottish Government is supporting this work and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have.

Officials in the CLD policy team at Scottish Government are currently working on plans to invest the further c.£100,000 remaining in the investment and are scoping projects that will help get digital devices direct into the hands of CLD practitioners all over Scotland.

 

Jamie Hepburn MSP

Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training

What Scotland Learned – Inspiring Stories from the South West Region CLD Sector

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the sudden closure of community venues, schools and other learning sites across Scotland. CLD practitioners responded by developing new and flexible ways to deliver key services with, by, and for vulnerable and marginalised learners in schools, colleges and communities. The Scottish Government recognises not only the role of the CLD sector across public and third sector in providing invaluable support to Scotland’s learners and communities during the pandemic, they also recognise that CLD approaches will be key to planning for a full recovery and renewal to active civil society across Scotland.

“The rapid shift in ways of working brought about new and strengthened relationships between school and local authority staff, CLD practitioners and allied professionals. The common goal and shared commitment to identify and target support to the more vulnerable children, young people and families in our communities ensured vital services were available to those who needed them most.”

John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

During the early days of the pandemic, there were many examples of the extraordinary work of CLD practitioners to support learners and communities. Practitioners and volunteers responded in a variety of creative and stimulating ways and What Scotland Learned aims to capture, and celebrate, some of the stories of lockdown learning between March and August 2020.

This post highlights the stories of CLD Practitioners in the South West of Scotland (Dumfries & Galloway, North, South and East Ayrshire). The stories highlighted below have been curated from a selection submitted from practitioners, local authorities, establishments, leaders, parents, learners, partners, volunteers and others. The words are their own and unedited.

CLD ESOL, South Ayrshire

Find out how CLD, South Ayrshire changed their methodology to support learning and sustain learner engagement during lockdown.

Follow the team on Twitter to find out more @CLDSouthAyr

 

CLD Literacy, South Ayrshire

Find out how CLD, South Ayrshire, delivered literacies support for learners during lockdown.

Follow the team on Twitter to find out more @CLDSouthAyr

 

Community Learning and Adult Education, North Ayrshire Council

Community Learning and Adult Education delivered 7 Gaelic Language Classes, a Clarsach and a Fiddle class for adult learners during lockdown.

Follow North Ayrshire’s Adult Learning Team on Twitter to find out more @NAAdultLearning

 

North Ayrshire Council’s Youth Work Team

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, North Ayrshire Councils Youth Work Team were fast in creating a full interactive digital programme under the branding of #DigiDReam. The programme gave the team and partners a platform to engage and work with young people and families throughout lockdown.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @NAYouthServices

 

Redburn Community Centre, North Ayrshire

Redburn Community Centre encouraged many of Irvine’s older residents to learn how to use video-meeting technology to help address loneliness and social isolation.

Follow North Ayrshire’s Adult Learning Team on Twitter to find out more @NAAdultLearning

 

The Usual Place, Dumfries and Galloway

The Usual Place in Dumfries and Galloway enabled trainees to develop their I.T. literacy skills to reduce individual digital exclusion, promote competency and confidence in online learning and reduce social isolation.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @TheUsual_Place

 

Vibrant Communities, East Ayrshire

Vibrant Communities engaged learners in weekly music performance sessions on Zoom.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @VibrantEAC

 

Vibrant Communities, East Ayrshire

Vibrant Communities distributed learning resources and made weekly phone calls to ensure learning continued throughout lockdown.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @VibrantEAC

 

Vibrant Communities, Lifeskills & Inclusion Team, East Ayrshire

Vibrant Communities, Lifeskills & Inclusion Team continued teaching and learning digitally, which has allowed Community ESOL learners to go for their accreditation assessments.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @VibrantEAC

 

Youth Work Dumfries and Galloway

Find out how the youth work team in Dumfries and Galloway developed a wide-ranging, creative response to meet the diverse needs of young people through lockdown and the summer.

Follow them on Twitter to find out more @YOUTHWORKDG

 

Do you have a story to share from the South West Region? Please contact Dehra Macdonald if you do – Dehra.Macdonald@educationscotland.gov.scot

Community Learning and Development (CLD) COVID-19 recovery guidance webinar series 

Community Learning and Development (CLD) COVID-19 recovery guidance webinar series

  • In partnership with the Scottish Government, leaders from key national CLD organisations are collaborating to provide a series of webinars focussed on the recently updated CLD COVID-19 recovery guidance, and other relevant government guidance and related third sector advice on assessing risk and planning for re-opening safely.
  • The series is designed to address a range of audiences in the CLD sector, both generic and practice specific. The webinars will be of most interest to managers and practitioners in the public, and third sector including community representatives planning the recovery of services, or adjusting recovery plans in light of ongoing changes in local circumstances.
  • The webinars will offer a walkthrough the latest Scottish Government CLD guidance, highlight other related guidance, and provide an opportunity to learn from others’ experiences of interpreting and applying guidance in their context. Insights to the webinars will inform ongoing Scottish Government monitoring and review of the guidance.
  • Delegates are invited to contribute a question in advance of the session, and we will aim to respond to as many of the emerging themes as we can.
  • Please sign up  to the event of most relevance to your area of focus at the link below.

 

20th November, 3-4pm – CLD COVID-19 recovery guidance webinar for universal CLD audience  [additional places now available]

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cld-covid-19-recovery-guidance-for-universal-cld-audience-registration-128243396451

 

24th November, 5.30 – 6.30 pm – CLD COVID-19  recovery guidance webinar for youth work

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cld-covid-19-recovery-guidance-webinar-youth-work-24-nov-530-630pm-registration-128597016137

 

25th November, 3-4pm – CLD COVID-19  recovery guidance webinar for adult learning

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cld-covid-19-recovery-guidance-webinar-adult-learning-25th-november-tickets-128616895597

 

26th November, 10-11:30am – CLD COVID-19  recovery guidance webinar for Community development [Session full – waiting list in operation]

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/covid-19-recovery-guidance-webinar-for-community-development-tickets-128838239643

***New additional date for adult learning added***:
27th November, 10-11am – CLD COVID-19  recovery guidance webinar for adult learning

 

CLD Response to Covid-19: North Lanarkshire Council

Community Learning and Development (CLD) response during COVID -19 lockdown

North Lanarkshire Council – Adult Learning Delivery

Continuing our series of case studies from the West Region on the amazing response of CLD during COVID-19 lockdown we now want to highlight work from North Lanarkshire Council CLD Adult Learning Team.

Across North Lanarkshire Council the CLD Adult Learning Team has continued delivering their CLD service throughout the COVID lockdown period. Initially the CLD staff kept the lines of communication open and established the best way to keep in touch with all learners considering the range of devices being used and the level of learners’ digital involvement. The CLD – Communities and Adult Learning Team looked to ensure that fundamental needs were covered such as information on what was going on, access to food and prescriptions and support for those in isolation.

The speed of response by CLD staff was most impressive and all learners had established contact very early on. The flexible approach took into consideration the position of each individual learner. e.g. WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, Zoom – all mediums were utilised depending on what learners were best able to engage with reflecting the social practice approach. There also had to be consideration of learners that did not access social media or were not online in anyway. Some learners were contacted by phone and door step drops of learning packs and resources if required. The focus was prioritised around learning and health and well-being.

Highlights:

  • Learning Packs – ALN & ESOL

(Measuring, puzzle books, writing activities, Summer Reading Program)

(ESOL- photo dictionaries, SQA materials, Worksheets)

  • Pivot Garden – Updates posted on progress of newly completed garden and seedlings. Learners were able to access the garden individually and do some upkeep and gardening. Seedlings ‘adopted’ by Community Worker and when established delivered to learners for individual planting.

  • Wednesday Walk – Digital Health Walk – regular timetabled walking activity with theme, promoted via text and social media. Encourages learners to be more physically active and raises awareness of their mental wellbeing. Participants take photos on a positive theme – recent topics have included trees and bees and encouraging mindfulness. Participants then share their photos on social media, increasing their sense of connection. Nature themed topics have been extended with links to materials and activities from Cumbernauld Living Landscapes to encourage further learning.
  • Facebook pages for groups – Motherwell has 3 private Facebook groups set up: Gaelic Culture, Northern Lights Discovery and COLTS Discovery Group.  The learners are able to be in contact with one another and share photographs of their current activities and trips from last term. The Gaelic Culture Group have now set up Facebook Room within their private group; every Tuesday from 1-3pm they meet up for a video chat, practise their language skills together and do a short quiz. One group member who had been housebound over the last term has enjoyed being able to re-join her group online.  The Discovery learners have all kept on track with their activities during lockdown and one learner has just achieved her Silver Award. Wishaw Family History Group have a private Facebook Groups which allows the learners to keep in touch and share photographs of their current family tress and any progress made on their work. The group ‘meet’ weekly for a Facebook video chat: this allows them to socialise with one another, check in with the Support Worker for welfare purposes and share any new findings. Not only has the Facebook group decreased social isolation it has also allowed for learners to learn new IT Skills and explore avenues on social media platforms that they didn’t know existed!
  • ESOL Online -Aimed at ESOL learners and resettlement refugees. Delivered by Community workers, Support workers and Social Work. Ongoing WhatsApp groups where work is posted and a group for information sharing on Covid developments in Arabic & English. Weekly video calls and lessons for each learner. Difficulties were /are mainly which platform to use and longer term the need for a VLE set up for learners to submit work and track progress. Staff need for training in the use of digital online learning platforms and managing of social media.

CLD Response to Covid-19: South Ayrshire

South Ayrshire Council ESOL Service

Continuing our case studies on the amazing response of CLD during COVID-19 lockdown, we now want to highlight work from South Ayrshire’s ESOL service.

South Ayrshire Council English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) staff within the CLD service, identified several challenges as lockdown was introduced. Firstly, many staff were temporarily redeployed to co-ordinate free-school meal provision, and work alongside staff from other council services to deliver almost 2,800 meals a day. Secondly there was a clear need to maintain contact with the more vulnerable learners including those with mental health issues; and, provide continuity of support for learners working towards accreditation. Thirdly there have been technical challenges presented by staff remote working; upgrading IT infrastructure; and, securing online access for learners in rural areas.

ESOL tutors adapted to provide support for learners via video lessons and online tutorials, and also continue to provide English classes for learners who returned to their country of origin prior to lockdown. ESOL learners were involved in the planning of the learning sessions – including selecting times of delivery and identifying a digital platform they were comfortable using, thus reducing digital and financial barriers.

Tutors routinely translate and provide learners with the latest Government guidelines on shielding, social isolation and keeping safe, as well as all Police Scotland notices, and information issued by schools. Staff maintain a reflective log to capture activities, as well as issues that may be noted under duty of care, such as supporting a learner subjected to domestic abuse and signposting to Women’s Aid.

Local authority officers shared insight to some of the impacts to date. ESOL learners have positively benefited from continuing support provided by their tutors – receiving advice and guidance on aspects of their life affected by the lockdown. For example, signposting new families arriving in Scotland to register for free school meal provision.

Moving to a digital platform enabled the ESOL tutors to work with smaller groups based on the level of learning. This has resulted in increased confidence, with learners creating their own peer support groups out with the sessions. Subsequent peer support networks within the ESOL community have continued to develop. For example, with the support of the ESOL staff, learners now have a support network to source halal food from Glasgow.

Virtual participation is also helping to reduce barriers for parents/carers of school aged children. The ESOL team provides activities for children while their parent/carer takes part in a virtual ESOL session. There is also anecdotal evidence that parents/carers and their children are supporting each another with their learning. Learners have reported that the virtual ESOL support has been vital in keeping up to date with schools and nurseries.

More broadly, staff report positive impacts from working in multi-disciplinary teams delivering bespoke services during lockdown – with strengthened relationships and improved understanding of substantive roles. In addition, there have been positive benefits in staff undertaking professional learning and research while working at home.

South Ayrshire council ESOL service identified a number of areas for consideration looking forward: Issues arising from gaps in learning, social isolation and poor mental health will require sufficiently well-resourced CLD services to aid recovery. The Ayrshire ESOL partnership comprised of South, East and North Ayrshire Council ESOL services and Ayrshire College, has established a model to maximise learner engagement and progression – there may be merit in further examining how to apply this model to other learning pathways – with CLD provision as an entry point.

For more information check out @CLDSouthAyr on twitter

CLD Response to Covid-19: Dumfries & Galloway Lifelong Learning

Dumfries & Galloway Lifelong Learning Team

Continuing our case studies on the amazing response of CLD during COVID-19 lockdown, we now want to highlight practice from Dumfries & Galloway’s Lifelong Learning Team.

The team adapted quickly by transferring programmes to online platforms. This quick response ensured they could continue to offer learning opportunities in:

  • Adult learning
  • ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
  • Adult Literacy and Numeracy
  • Family Learning,
  • Digital,
  • Accreditation Learning opportunities

The team adopted a social practice approach to choosing which digital platforms to use. They surveyed learners to establish which digital platforms they already had access to, and were comfortable using. The team then began a steep learning journey of their own as they quickly developed their own skills to use these platforms effectively, and safely. This resulted in the team being able to offer these learning programmes on a range of platforms.

To help remove barriers to digital participation within vulnerable groups, the team provided a number of solutions including the lending of equipment, with additional set-up support. For example, iPads that were purchased for the Syrian Refugee families were delivered to homes fully set-up.

The programmes don’t just focus on learning and skills development. The team recognised how key it was to support the health and wellbeing of their learners in such challenging times, something that is especially important in the rural geography of Dumfries and Galloway.

The team secured funding from several charities/organisations which enabled them to provide learning packs with a health and wellbeing focus to over 200 vulnerable adult learners. The strong relationships the team already had with learners enabled them to customise the packs to meet individual needs. For example, some contained pots and seeds to support the delivery of relaxing STEM learning activities. The team delivered the packs to learners’ doors. Due to the geography of the area, many vulnerable learners were living in very isolated conditions and this was their only face to face engagement. Having this socially distant contact enabled them to have a general conversation about how they were coping. Many were living in very challenging circumstances and the CLD Team were able to support them with a range of issues including crisis grant applications, housing issues, accessing free school meal entitlement and additional shielding packages.

      

                               

The support provided by the team didn’t stop over the summer. The success of the adult learning packs helped to secure further funding from the National Lottery for 200 family learning packs which the staff delivered to the doors of families across Dumfries and Galloway over the summer holidays. These packs provided a range of fun learning activities for the family to do together. They also contained basic resources to create their own activities, for example pencils and paper. Again, this provided an opportunity for a face to face check in with families and ensure they were accessing all the support they needed. For example, they were able ensure that ESOL families were accessing Scottish Government Covid-19 Guidance. For families where the parents/carers were isolating, they were help to make additional deliveries of learning resources for the children to ensure they could continue to learn together over the summer break.

 

          

The children were very excited to receive their parcels!

In addition to delivering the packs, the team also ran a virtual summer programme for 4 weeks in July. Each day of the week had a different theme- Motivate Monday, Try it Tuesday, Walk Wednesday, Take a trip Thursday and Fun Friday. Activities included a virtual live life well course for adults, cooking, virtual Peep sessions, themed walks, quizzes, STEM sessions, photography workshops, family challenges, dance and yoga, crafts and games and more. This ensured that there was a wide variety, something for everyone.

The programme was delivered through social media platforms the families were already accessing. Participation rates in the summer programme were very high with most activities reaching an audience of 2, 000 and some reaching nearly 5,000. Feedback from the participants was very positive with many sharing photos and stories of them engaging in the activities  on their own social media feeds.

The move to a digital platform has enabled the team to expand their social media presence. One Lifelong Learning account alone went from just over 1,000 followers to 8,000 with posts reaching over 1.5 million accounts, including many other learning providers and families in the UK engaging with our content.

The impact on the team, both in terms of their practice and confidence levels has been significant. Staff who were nervous about introducing digital platforms into their practice have reported that the peer support colleagues and partners provided has been invaluable, as they develop their skills and approaches. The team are continuing to develop their digital skills to enhance their learning offer, not replace face to face delivery. This will ensure that moving forward, learners now have even more opportunities to engage in a blended learning model which meet their needs.

You can find out more through their social media channels: LIfelongLearningDGC Facebook  @DgcLearning

Online Learning Opportunities

Education Scotland CLD officers have collated a range of websites and specific online courses that may be relevant to those working in the Community Learning and Development sector. We hope you find these useful – please get in touch with Susan.Epsworth@educationscotland.gov.scot if you know of an opportunity worth sharing

Thinking Digitally Course Lead Scotland will be delivering the Thinking Digitally course, free for disabled people, carers, and those who provide services for disabled people and carers. This course provides a supportive environment for learners to improve their digital skills, earn a qualification (12 credits at SCQF level 6), and create an accessible ‘digital artefact’, such as a website or blog. You may benefit from this course if you are looking to: improve your digital confidence and competence, learn about different online tools for communication and collaboration, and discover how to produce accessible online content.

The course will involve 13 one-hour tutor-led sessions delivered over Zoom, with 10 weeks of supported group learning and 3 weeks to finalise your digital artefact and e-portfolio. To take part, learners will need to have basic digital skills, access to a computer that supports videoconferencing, and a stable internet connection. Learners will also need to be able to complete a course at SCQF level 6. This requires learners to have the time and capability to study independently for a few hours a week, and to reflect upon their learning, with support.

Please visit Lead Scotland’s website for more information about the course or email BuildBackDigital@Lead.org.uk for enquiries or further information.

Dumfries & Galloway College is offering an Introduction to Working with Communities. This course is specifically designed for those who are already working or volunteering in the community.  Successful completion will see you gain a Professional Development Award in Community Involvement as well as a range of units, contextualised to your role, in working in the wider community. The programme is designed to introduce you to Community Learning and Development (CLD) theory and practice, with particular focus on involvement in community capacity building, which is one of the three main strands of CLD. This level 6 award will prepare learners for possible progression to other programmes at an equal or increased SCQF level in the field of Community Learning and Development.    The award is suitable for learners who may have some understanding and experience of Community Learning and Development -but have no formal qualifications in the field. Those employed in the field of CLD, and who achieve a recognised qualification such as this award, may qualify for membership of the Scottish CLD Standards Council. This course will start on the 24th January 2022 and finish on the 17th June 2022. https://bit.ly/3lKGOqT

Scottish Centre Conflict Resolution are offering a free programme of sessions ‘Untangling the knots’ The course is aimed at practitioners who have a role working directly with young
people and their families within the Third, Health, Criminal Justice, Parenting, Family, Education, Social and Housing, Mediation or Conflict Resolution sectors, either as a practitioner/volunteer. You must be able to attend all 4 online sessions. Details: https://bit.ly/3epjB93

#CLDTalks Podcast Have you caught up with the new CLD Podcast yet?  Created by CLDSC Registered Member Conor Maxwell, CLD Worker in South Lanarkshire, the podcasts have been established to raise the profile of CLD across Scotland.  You can find the podcasts on all the usual podcast sites like Anchor.fm or Spotify and follow @CLDTalks on Twitter – make sure you use the #CLDTalks hashtag! There are two podcasts to listen to so far: Jim Sweeney MBE and Adele Martin.  You’re guaranteed insights, information, learning and laughs!

You can also see more podcasts relevant for CLD collated in this wakelet: https://wakelet.com/wake/v7TUKzcIiOzMo5GDRA-xO

ASH Scotland has produced a range of e-learning courses including Understanding Tobacco and Smoking and money advice. https://www.ashscotland.org.uk/training-and-services/

College Development Network Virtual Bridge webinars run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday’s 11 – 11.30am. All previous webinars available to view on CDN’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSLdC4tqYFWpsSAwTQTa5zQ details for 2021: Virtual Bridge Webinars – Choose Registration (cdn.ac.uk)

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Digishift series: We have been hosting big Zoom calls called DigiShift, in collaboration with Third Sector Lab, attended by hundred of charities.  These calls began as a space for everyone to discuss the challenges of moving quickly to digital service delivery.  They have become a collaborative networking space where we work together, with experts in their field, to formulate best practice. Past sessions are available on their YouTube channel and details of future sessions here: DigiShift – SCVO

Promoting Children and Young People’s Mental Health and preventing Self Harm and Suicide Animations have been co-produced by NHS Education for Scotland and Public Health Scotland to support the implementation of Scotland’s Public Health Priorities for Mental Health, Scotland’s Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027; and Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan – Every Life Matters
These new resources will help workers to understand the factors that influence mental health and resilience
in children and young people; engage proactively with children and young people about mental health, self-harm and suicide; and recognise when to seek help to support those in their care: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/17099/mental-health-improvement-and-prevention-of-self-harm-and-suicide

LEAD Scotland collected together websites, apps and information about how you can continue to learn online during this time. These are suitable for everyone, with lots of different options, from improving your English and Maths skills, to specialist courses designed by leading universities. https://www.lead.org.uk/free-online-learning-options-during-the-coronavirus/

LEAD Scotland have designed a new, free course in partnership with the Open University: Everyday computer skills: a beginner’s guide to computers, tablets, mobile phones and accessibility https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=5538

YouthLink Scotland have compiled all their digital youth work online sessions on their YouTube channel for you to watch when it suits – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqXvZw9UDJQtUFQaf1O6O2QoiGDhVKqWl

Education Scotland’s DYW officers have put together a programme of ‘end of the day blethers‘ over the next few months covering a range of subjects including ‘personal learning & achievement’, post-16 transitions’ and ‘equalities & inclusion’  https://www.youthlinkscotland.org/media/4866/dyw-end-of-day-dyw-blether-2020.pdf

Learn 100% online with world-class universities and industry experts – Browse Future Learn’s free online courses in subjects ranging from Psychology and Mental Health to Creative Arts and Media https://www.futurelearn.com/courses

Black Lives Matter – Explore resources from petitions to books and courses – to help you get involved in the Black Lives Matter movement, and educated about the history of black oppression https://www.futurelearn.com/info/blog/black-lives-matter-resources

SALTO-YOUTH training opportunities: including ‘An intro on how to use Erasmus+ for international youth work, Erasmus+ opportunities for youth https://www.salto-youth.net/

Abertay University has four free credit-bearing courses to help individuals develop their digital marketing abilities, and support businesses. They are delivered online and include live teaching sessions. https://www.abertay.ac.uk/courses/digital-marketing-micro-courses

Professional Development Resources for College Staff  on CDN LearnOnline https://professionallearning.collegedevelopmentnetwork.ac.uk/

Free online learning in a range of subjects from the Open University    https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses

Find training, tutorials, templates, quick starts, and cheat sheets for Microsoft 365, including Excel, Outlook, Word, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, OneNote and more https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/training

The Microsoft Certified Educator Program is a professional development program that bridges the gap between technology skills and innovative teaching, learn more: https://education.microsoft.com/en-us

Trend Micro https://internetsafety.trendmicro.com/webinars

Digi Learn Scot – a range of pre-recorded webinars to learn online at a time that suits you https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzFsp7PF70TMlqVM4nCsxSg?view_as=subscriber

Free courses from Volunteer Scotland exploring everything you need to know about involving, supporting and leading volunteers. Working with the Open University (Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership at The Open University Business School) this is a space for you to learn at your own pace, at a venue of your choice and with time built in for you to reflection https://www.volunteerscotland.net/for-organisations/training-courses/volunteer-practice-training/online-learning/

Generations Working Together provides information, delivers support and encourages involvement to benefit all of Scotland’s generations, by working, learning, volunteering and living together. Membership is free for anyone living in Scotland and some of the training courses are free too https://generationsworkingtogether.org/

Supporting Learning Outdoors This course is for anyone who has a role in supporting the delivery of curricular based outdoor learning. The course is aimed at instructors, third sector and private organisations, classroom assistants, volunteers, or indeed anyone who wants to work in partnerships with schools to deliver meaningful outdoor learning experiences.   The course will help participants to gain an understanding of the Curriculum for Excellence, and the framework for delivering this to pupils, as well as providing resources and ideas to assist good partnership working https://www.sapoe.org.uk/courses/supporting-learning-outdoors/

EIS PACT programme offers research-based professional learning opportunities for all teachers and schools focused on policy, practice and pedagogy.  PACT is rooted in social justice principles, takes a human rights approach to poverty, and is designed to further support and deepen the development of a whole-school anti-poverty culture. We also recognise that this PL opportunity may also of interest/ benefit to others within the education sector, so while the PACT online programme has been designed with a clear focus on teachers and schools, we welcome the involvement of other education professionals such as college lecturers who work with school-aged children and QIOs, who are happy to participate on that basis, and with that definite focus. It is also not necessary to be an EIS member to sign up – this offer is for all in the profession https://www.eis.org.uk/PACT/AboutPACT

Public Health Scotland provides free online course in a wide range of subjects including Challenging Poverty Stigma: Course: Challenging poverty stigma – learning hub (publichealthscotland.scot)

Upcoming webinars and professional learning opportunities for CLD

The Education Scotland team have collated a number of webinars and online opportunities hosted by ourselves and others that may be of relevance to CLD practitioners and managers. See details of dates, times, platform where available and link for signing up below.

Tuesday 2nd August: 12.30 – 1pm, Scottish Community Safety Network: Climate change and community safety zine, https://tinyurl.com/ypuxf6h8

Thursday 4th August: 2 – 4pm, Volunteer Scotland: Volunteer induction,  https://bit.ly/37dC4Fy

Friday 5th August: 2 – 3.30pm, Youthlink Scotland: Careers by design: Youth voice workshops, https://tinyurl.com/3beu57cy

Monday 8th August: 12.30 – 1pm, Scottish Community Safety Network: Home Safety Map, https://tinyurl.com/y8dbjacj

Tuesday 9th August: 10am – 4pm, Volunteer Scotland: PVG & signatory training, https://tinyurl.com/ycktrwpx

Tuesday 9th August: 2 – 4pm, Volunteer Scotland: Managing difficult situations, https://bit.ly/3x34TiP

Thursday 11th August: 4.30 – 6pm, Youthlink Scotland: Careers by design: Youth voice workshops, https://tinyurl.com/ys63a46w

Wednesday 17th August: 10am – 12noon, Volunteer Scotland: Volunteer change management, https://bit.ly/3x3e5nr

Wednesday 17th August: 2 – 4pm, Volunteer Scotland: Supporting volunteers,  https://bit.ly/3DEFg9x

Monday 29th August: 6 – 8pm, Youth Scotland: Arts Toolkit Training, https://tinyurl.com/yrvmfzfs

Tuesday 30th August: Volunteer Scotland: Involving and matching volunteers to roles & tasks, https://bit.ly/3uW9bG8

Tuesday 30th August: 10am – 4pm, Volunteer Scotland: PVG & signatory training, https://tinyurl.com/ycktrwpx

Wednesday 31st August: 2 – 3.30pm, Children in Scotland: Mindfulness for your wellbeing and creativity, https://bit.ly/3wIGugR

Monday 5th September: 4 – 5.30pm, Education Scotland: How does gender inequality affect attainment, wellbeing and participation? https://tinyurl.com/4z7y5hwf

Wednesday 7th September: 10am – 12noon, Volunteer Scotland: Planning for Volunteering, https://www.volunteerscotland.net/for-organisations/training-courses/volunteer-practice-training/interactive-learning-bites/

Thursday 8th September: 10am – 4pm, Volunteer Scotland: PVG & signatory training, https://tinyurl.com/ycktrwpx

Tuesday 13th September: 2 – 4pm, Volunteer Scotland: Volunteer change management, https://www.volunteerscotland.net/for-organisations/training-courses/volunteer-practice-training/interactive-learning-bites/

Tuesday 20th September: CDAS Annual National Conference, Edinburgh Training & Conference Venue and live streaming online, email cdascotland@gmail.com to register

Wednesday 21st/Thursday 22nd September: Education Scotland: Scottish Learning Festival, Registration – SLF2022

Thursday 22nd September: 2 – 4pm, Volunteer Scotland: Developing volunteer roles, https://www.volunteerscotland.net/for-organisations/training-courses/volunteer-practice-training/interactive-learning-bites/

Also check out https://bit.ly/3fN7Fgi and https://bit.ly/2V4g5Iw for a range of pre-recorded webinars from the Education Scotland Digital Skills team. These were created for formal education setting, but the content will be a just as relevant to CLD practitioners. For example, learn how to use Microsoft Forms for quizzes and surveys or watch the session on online gaming and gambling.

Please contact Susan.Epsworth@educationscotland.gov.scot if you would like us to promote something on your behalf