Performance information in Community Learning and Development (CLD)
We are supporting the development of better information about the performance of community learning and development organisations, both nationally and locally.
Resource to assist Development of Management Information Models for gathering CLD inputs and outputs.
Feedback from the surveys of current management information systems highlighted that guidance on how to develop an effective system would be welcomed by Local Authorities and other CLD Partners across Scotland. Following on from that (in 2007), Learning Connections commissioned the development of a resource which would highlight good practice in areas throughout Scotland and help those who are in the process of developing management information systems.
This resource is designed to provide guidance and a specification for organisations in the CLD sector to understand, collect and use input and output information. It consists of 2 documents:
It is primarily aimed at those who have a responsibility for the collation and management of data in CLD. This is not exclusive to 'management' posts; it refers to any individual with some responsibility for management of CLD activities, including both the statutory and voluntary sectors.
Performance Information Project (PIP)
A performance information project (PIP) emerged following a report produced on behalf of the Scottish Government. If you would like a copy please email Learning Connections.
The work developed through PIP has now been mainstreamed within the work of Learning Connections. This has resulted in five main strands of work:
1. An exercise to collect national information on participation in CLD
Latest Data - The Community Learning and Development Activity Survey 2007 report sets out the results of the 2007 national activity survey for community learning and development (CLD). The survey built on the pilot data collection from 2005 and the Activity Survey run in November 2006.
Returns were made by all 32 local authorities. In total across Scotland they reported that, during the reporting week of 5 - 11 November 2006:
- 62,855 adult learning opportunities provided directly by local authorities were accessed
- 90,317 youth work opportunities provided directly by local authorities were accessed
- 3699 community groups were supported directly by local authorities.
Links to earlier reports:
Community Learning and Development (CLD) Activity Survey 2006 sets out the results of the 2006 national activity survey for community learning and development (CLD). The survey built on the pilot data collection, and associated evaluation, run in 2005.
Returns were made by all 32 local authorities. In total across Scotland they reported that, during the reporting week of 6 - 12 November 2006:
- 56,943 adult learning opportunities provided directly by local authorities were accessed
- 95,673 youth work opportunities provided directly by local authorities were accessed
- 4,769 community groups were supported directly by local authorities.
Links to earlier reports:
Community Learning and Development Activity Survey: Pilot Data Collection 2006 sets out the results of the national activity survey for community learning and development (CLD) which ran in November 2006. This survey built on the pilot data collection, and associated evaluation from November 2005 Community Learning and Development Activity Survey: Pilot Data Collection 2005.
The future of the CLD Activity Survey
Learning Connections currently plans to run a CLD Activity Survey in 2009. Over the coming months, we will work with partners to review the experience of running the survey in 2005, 2006 and 2007, the issues that have emerged from that and the options for collecting data on the outputs of CLD in future.
We would welcome your views on how collection of data which can measure the scope and scale of all CLD provision (by local authorities and other sectors) on a national basis could be progressed. If you have comments to contribute to the review of the CLD Activity Survey, please email these to Learning Connections.
2. The development of outcome frameworks for CLD
Working with a range of partners, Learning Connections has produced a document setting out a framework of some of the outcomes expected from CLD. ' Delivering Change: understanding the outcomes of CLD' explains what outcomes mean in the context of CLD and includes the range of personal development and community capacity building outcomes that can result from effective practice.
"Delivering Change" has been widely welcomed as a key resource for CLD. It is compatible with other tools and frameworks - in particular 'LEAP' and 'How Good is Our CLD?'. It can be a tool to help communication with colleagues and partners and ensures that CLD work remains focused on delivering change.
Download a copy of Delivering Change or email PPD for a hard copy.
3. A survey of the impacts of the CLD
As well as understanding the more direct outcomes of CLD, we also want to know more about their wider impact - like those identified in the Scottish Government's National Performance Framework.
The first stage in this is a literature review of current evidence. The report on this work is accompanied by an annotated bibliography, containing a range of source material on the evidence of the impact of community learning and development.
4. Surveys of current management information systems in use in CLD
As well as identifying information that looks at how the sector is performing, we feel it important to identify how this information should be collected and used.
We commissioned four surveys to give 'snapshots' of the performance information systems currently being used in different sectors of CLD work.
Read summary of the survey findings.
Detailed reports of the four surveys:
• Survey of CLD in local authorities
• Survey of voluntary sector adult learning
• Survey of voluntary sector youth work
• Survey of voluntary sector community capacity building
5. Workforce survey for CLD
Finally, we commissioned a survey of the CLD workforce. The report Community Learning and Development workforce survey is now available.
For further information on any of the strands of work related to PIP, please contact Sean Stronach, CLD manager on 0141 271 3716.