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Glossary of terms
Aggregated
The bringing together of all information to provide a total amount, for example the total amount of funding received for CLD activities or the total amount of participants in CLD activities who are female.
Baseline
Information collected at the beginning of a study or project against which progress can be measured.
Building community capacity
Work that strengthens the ability of community organisations and groups (for example, by building their structures, systems, people and skills) so that they are better able to set out and achieve their aims. This can include supporting them to be better at being involved in consultation and planning, managing community projects and taking part in partnerships and community enterprises. - Adapted from Steve Skinner, Building Community Strengths (Community Development Foundation, 1997) .
Capacity building
The development of skills, knowledge and experience that enable individuals, groups and organisations to achieve their goals. In the context of CLD it is commonly referred to in the context of work to increase the ability of communities (See Building community capacity)
Community learning and development
Defined in 'Working and Learning Together' as 'learning and social development work with individuals and groups in their communities using a range of formal and informal methods. A common defining feature is that programmes and activities are developed in dialogue with communities and participants.' It is 'a way of working with communities to increase the skills, confidence, networks and resources they need to tackle problems and grasp opportunities.'
Community of interest
A group of people who are brought together through a shared interest or background rather than through a geographical focus. In terms of CLD this could refer to thematic groups such as young people, older people, people with disabilities and to people brought together through a shared interest or concern such as residents associations and community forums.
Community planning
How service providers work in partnership with communities to improve how they plan and co-ordinate services. The overall aim is to make sure that services promote the wellbeing of the communities that they serve. Service providers include the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Core skills
The Scottish Qualifications Authority defines these as the abilities people need if they are to play a full part in society - for example, in work, education or community life.
Database
A computer system which allows for the electronic collection, organisation and storage of information in a format that can be easily accessed and searched for specific information, records and queries.
Data Protection Act
UK legislation that regulates how organisations store, manage and allow access to personal information about individuals. It applies to both hard copy and electronic information
Equality categories
Equality categories refer to people or communities who face discrimination or social exclusion because of personal characteristics. The six areas that have been identified are age, disability, ethnic group, gender, sexual orientation and religion/faith/belief. This information can be used to monitor and plan services to ensure equality of access to all individuals.
Events
A one-off activity or opportunity. In the context of CLD this will include activities that may occur over more than one day including conferences, consultation events, learning and cultural festivals and taster sessions.
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act
Legislation that gives individuals and organisations the right to request recorded information held by any public authority in Scotland. It places an obligation on all public authorities to produce an easily available publication scheme that describes the information the authority publishes, in what form and details of any charges.
Full Time Equivalent ( FTE)
A measurement of staffing resources in terms of a full working week regardless of the actual number of staff who work those hours. For example, three employees whose combined working hours total 35 can be described as one full-time equivalent.
Groups
There are a wide variety of groups within the context of CLD including:
- People who come together to take part in courses and programmes of activities
- People who come together through a shared interest or concern
- Thematic groups such as young people, older people, women etc
In this context it refers to groups who are supported by CLD provision over a period of time (opposed to a one-off event).
Human resources
The people employed within an organisation. NB Some organisations will have a human resources department which is responsible for issues concerned with the recruitment and management of staff.
Information sharing protocols
An agreement that sets out the principles, roles and responsibilities and procedures for information sharing between organisations. They allow organisations to share information in a secure, confidential and legally compliant manner.
Inputs
The resources used to plan or bring about a programme, policy or project. They include, for example, staff time, budgets, equipment, buildings and policies.
Information management is the collection and management of information from one or more sources and the distribution of that information to one or more audiences. This sometimes involves those who have a stake in, or a right to that information.
Management Information System ( MIS) is an information system which integrates data from all the departments it serves. It is used to support management decision making about the planning, management and delivery of services through the provision of required information on a regular basis.
Management information refers to information and statistics that can be collected and used to plan, monitor, develop and make decisions about the work of the organisations.
Outcomes
The changes or results that come about through an organisation's activities. Outcomes are normally what an organisation is trying to achieve but some outcomes are not planned.
Outputs
The specific products of a programme or project. These will be quantifiable (easily counted) things such as the number of people taking part or number of training programmes delivered.
Performance information
Quantitative and qualitative information about performance which is systematically collected and used as evidence for judging the achievement of outcomes.
Practitioners
People who work (or practice) in a particular field - in this case, community learning and development.
Processes
The ways or methods by which the inputs are used to achieve the planned outputs (in other words, what we do with the resources). In CLD, this will mainly include CLD activities such as youth work, adult learning programmes and building community capacity.
Quantitative information
Information that can be provided in the form of a number or quantity. It provides details of factors such as 'how much?" or "how many?" of something. Examples of quantitative information are: the number of people attending a course; the number of sessions run; the number of hours of teaching.
Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework ( SCQF)
This brings together all mainstream Scottish qualifications into a single framework. The Framework has 12 levels which enable qualifications to be rated in terms of the complexity of learning which makes it easier to compare qualifications against each other. The aims of the SCQF are described as:
- to "assist people of all ages and circumstances to access appropriate education and training over their lifetime to fulfil their personal, social and economic potential"
- to "enable employers, learners and the public in general to understand the full range of Scottish qualifications, how they relate to each other and how different types of qualifications can contribute to improving the skills of the workforce."
Self-evaluation
A critical assessment of the quality and standards of a service by those who deliver it, which helps identify strengths and areas for improvement. In CLD this will always need evidence from those who take part in, or benefit from, services.
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