In Scotland, CLD practitioners and volunteers support learning, community engagement and participation through youth work, community-based adult learning, family learning and community development.

The CLD Standards Council Scotland acts as the national Professional Standards and Registration Body (PSRB) for people who work and volunteer in CLD. Funded by the Scottish Government, the CLD Standards Council supports professional learning, workforce development, registration and standards – helping to strengthen practice and champion the value of CLD across Scotland.

Whether supporting volunteers, offering support in a community, leading a local project, or a volunteer or practitioner working as part of a larger charity, the CLD Standards Council provides a space where people can connect, learn and grow together.

Vikki Carpenter, Development Officer at the CLD Standards Council Scotland, supports the Registration & Membership Committee whilst also leading policy and research work and is based in Aberdeen, supporting the membership in North of Scotland.

Having built her career across youth work, adult education and community development, she knows first-hand how impactful this unified approach is: “It’s very unique in Scotland that we have these areas of work together under one sector,” Vikki explains.

“They are recognised as being really closely interlinked. It’s all about social justice, empowerment and participation.

“CLD supports people to build their knowledge, skills and confidence so they can make a difference in their own lives and in their communities.”

As the professional body for CLD, the CLD Standards Council focuses on professional registration, standards, recognition and support for practitioners and volunteers.

“Our main aim is to support individual practitioners with their professional learning, and to support the standard setting for the profession,” says Vikki.

“We also have a public register to show everyone who is a member, providing an extra layer of quality assurance.”

A key part of the CLD Standards Council’s ethos is ensuring that volunteers receive the exact same value, access and support as paid employees. Vikki stresses: “We value volunteers just the same as everyone within the CLD sector workforce.

“That’s why our membership benefits and support is exactly the same for everyone.”

Across Aberdeen City and Shire, more than 230 members representing local charities, NHS teams, academic bodies and local councils are already part of this growing network of over 3.5 thousand members across Scotland.

Members gain access to a rich community network, including a professional induction programme, offers of mentorship and a Members’ Forum – a safe space to discuss equality, diversity, neurodiversity and any practical adjustments.

For many charities, registration also brings credibility that can significantly boost funding applications:

“If you can say on a funding bid that you are a member of the CLD Standards Council, this demonstrates to funders the high standard of your workers and volunteers.”

“It also provides quality assurance and shows that your organisation has a genuine commitment to the CLD sector.”

To help members step away from screens and build connections in-person, Vikki regularly hosts informal, drop-in sessions across the region. She says: “The sessions are a couple of hours long usually. Members are welcome to come along for ten minutes or for the full two hours, whatever they want. We welcome possible new members as well, so if anyone wants to just find out more about who we are or what’s going on in their area.

“We provide tea, coffee and cake. We sit, have a blether and share what’s going on, discuss any possible issues and find out what support people would like.”

Beyond local support, the CLD Standards Council serves as a powerful collective voice advocating for both paid and volunteer practitioners when national policies, government strategies and public service reforms are being shaped.

“We need to make sure that we’re bringing our voices together. The knowledge of people working or volunteering on the ground is important in shaping these national decisions.”

For Vikki, joining the professional body is about turning individual commitment into strong, collective impact: “If you want to make a difference and get better funding, get better recognition and raise the profile of your work, come and join us!”

The CLD Standards Council Scotland supports a skilled, confident and connected CLD workforce. Through professional registration, learning opportunities, networking and sector engagement, it helps practitioners and volunteers enhance their practice while contributing to a stronger collective voice for CLD across Scotland. Joining is a simple step that helps raise the profile of community work and ensures those making a difference locally have access to the support they deserve.

To find out more about the CLD Standards Council Scotland, or to register as a member, visit their website at cldstandardscouncil.org.uk or contact Vikki directly via email at vikki.carpenter@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk

This article originally appeared in the November 2026 edition of ACVO News, our free monthly digital magazine for and from the the third sector in Aberdeen. Read the current and past editions, and sign up to our mailing list, at acvo.org.uk/acvo-news