Community Learning and Development Plan 2024 to 2027

As Chair of the Perth and Kinross Council Learning and Families Committee, I am delighted to introduce the new Community Learning and Development Plan 2024 to 2027 (PDF, 1 MB). 

The plan sets out the contribution that the Community Learning and Development Partnership will make to supporting learners and communities over the next 3 years. As we support our communities through the current cost-of-living crisis, Community Learning and Development has a huge role to play by supporting and empowering communities, providing programmes of training and resources, building skills, increasing community empowerment, and more. By focussing on the most vulnerable people in our communities, Community Learning and Development functions and partners play a key role in improving people's life chances. The Community Learning and Development Plan demonstrates clear links to the priorities of the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan and the new Perth and Kinross Council Corporate Plan. I am keen for this plan to be a "live" document that will change and adapt to the needs of our communities between now and 2027. 

Councillor John Rebbeck
Convenor, Learning and Families Committee

Community Learning and Development is a method of working with groups and individuals of all ages to engage in learning, personal development and active citizenship. 

The Scottish Government's National Performance Framework clearly defines the specific focus of Community Learning by partners which should be to: 

• improve life chances for people of all ages, including young people in particular, through learning, personal development and active citizenship 
• create stronger, more resilient, supportive, influential and inclusive communities 

Support is focused on disadvantaged or vulnerable individuals or groups with the aim of bringing about change in their lives and communities. The term refers to a distinctive process of engagement and support with content that is negotiated with learners. 

Community Learning and Development activity has a strong focus on early intervention, prevention, tackling inequalities and includes the following: 

• youth work, family learning and other early intervention work with children, young people and families 
• community-based Adult Learning including Adult Literacies and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) 
• learning for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups and individuals, for example people with disabilities, have care-leaving experience or have a history of offending 
• Community Development (building the capacity of communities to meet their own needs, engaging with and influencing decision-makers) 
• volunteer development and support

The Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013 place a statutory requirement on local authorities to publish a plan every 3 years, outlining how it will co-ordinate and secure "adequate and efficient" Community Learning and Development provision with other sector partners. Whilst Perth and Kinross Council are required by legislation to lead on meeting the requirements of the Community Learning and Development Regulations, it is important to note that partners must also be meaningfully involved, taking collective ownership and responsibility to produce, implement and review the Community Learning and Development Plan.

Perth and Kinross at a glance

• As of 2021, the population of Perth and Kinross was 153,810. This is projected to decrease slightly over coming years.
• Just over 16% of residents of Perth and Kinross are aged 15 years and under, which is in line with the 16.9% of the Scottish population in this age group.
• 17.1% of residents were aged 71 years and over in 2018, compared to 13.6% of the national population. This is expected to increase.
• 80% of children starting primary school are meeting developmental milestones.
• 96% of school-leavers move on to positive destinations.
• Estimates assess that 21.7% of children in Perth and Kinross are living in poverty. That's 5,750 children.
• 4.7% of the working-age population in Perth and Kinross are unemployed.
• Locality working has been delivered in four test areas - Highland Perthshire, Coupar Angus, Letham and South Crieff.

Our Community Learning and Development Partnership comprises a mix of thematic and locality-focused groupings. The Partnership helps identify issues and inequalities within our communities and enables the delivery and monitoring of the Community Learning and Development Plan, whist adhering to the principles, ethics and competencies set out by the Community Learning and Development Standards Council for Scotland. 

• Empowerment - increasing the ability of individuals and groups to influence matters affecting them and their communities. 
• Participation - supporting people to take part in decision-making. 
• Inclusion, equality of opportunity and anti-discrimination - recognising some people need additional support to overcome the barriers they face. 
• Self-determination - supporting the right of people to make their own choices. 
• Partnership - ensuring resources and the range of skills and capabilities available are used effectively. 

Services and teams that make up the Community Learning and Development Leadership Group:

• Inclusion Service
• Equalities Team
• Community Learning and Development Team
• Housing Tenant Participation Team
• Services for Young People
• Live Active Leisure
• Culture Perth and Kinross
• Third Sector Interface Perth and Kinross
• Employment Support Team
• Health and Social Care Service
• Parenting and Family Learning Team
• Community Greenspace Team

Local thematic and geographical partnerships which together with the leadership group and partnerships make up the Perth and Kinross Community Learning and Development Partnership:

• Adult Learning Partnership
• Local Employability Partnership
• Equalities Forum
• Youth Work Partnership
• Stronger Communities Network
• Good Food Network
• Local Action Partnerships

Perth and Kinross Council has the statutory responsibility for planning and overseeing delivery of effective Community Learning and Development services. 

Responsibility for co-ordinating the day-to-day delivery of the Community Learning and Development Plan sits with the Community Learning and Development Leadership Group. This group comprises of Service Managers and Senior Team Leaders from Perth and Kinross Council and partner services that deliver Community Learning and Development functions. 

Oversight of the Community Learning and Development Plan sits with the Learning and Families Committee, who receive an annual report on progress. 

The Perth and Kinross Community Planning Partnership Board will also receive an annual report on progress and Community Learning and Development functions contribution to delivery of the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan.

• Community Planning Partnership Board - strategic overview of the CLD Plans contribution to delivering the LOIP
• Learning and Families Committee - approval and overview of CLD Plan delivery and annual reports on progress 
• Executive Leadership Team - receives progress report and key improvement actions
• Community Learning and Development Leadership Group - monitors CLD Plan delivery and tackles barriers to progress

The most recent Progress Visit by Education Scotland to review implementation of the Community Learning and Development Plan took place in April 2024. 

Key strengths identified

• Community Learning and Development services are clearly targeting and working with the most vulnerable people in Perth and Kinross 
• there was good evidence on how services use data, such as locality profiles to target areas of need 
• the parenting support programme PEEP was identified as an example of excellent practice and will be shared across Scotland 
• the Green Living Fund and Community Investment Fund are good examples of enabling communities to develop local solutions which address local problems 

Areas for improvement included

• raising awareness of the Community Learning and Development Plan amongst a wider range of partners 
• ensuring young people and community groups are included in the planning of Community Learning and Development and identifying priorities 
• extending our internal training offer to include staff and volunteers from partner organisations 

A number of methods were used to help inform the priorities for the new Community Learning and Development Plan: 

• a survey of stakeholders, including the Community Learning and Development Partnership, learners and staff, asking for their views on how Community Learning and Development can help tackle the themes of: 
  • reducing poverty 
  • mental wellbeing 
  • digital participation 
  • learning and development 
  • employability 
• a review of key data, including locality profiles, performance data from services and other sources of evidence, such as Community Action Plans 
• ensuring that the priorities for the Community Learning and Development Plan align and support the delivery of the Perth and Kinross Council Corporate Plan

What we learned and priorities for the Community Learning and Development Plan 

Priority: Tackling poverty 

Perth and Kinross has a reputation as an affluent place to live with higher-than-average rates of employment. However, many children and households experience the damaging effects of poverty, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and current cost-of-living crisis present significant challenges for many of our households. Approximately one in four children in Perth and Kinross are living in poverty. 

What people told us about this priority: 

• Tackling poverty effectively involves a multi-agency approach that values lived experience, combats stigma, and centres solutions around community hubs to ensure inclusive, community-driven support. 
• Addressing poverty requires improving employment opportunities and providing access to learning and upskilling (including young people), which are essential for breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering economic empowerment. 
• Tackling poverty effectively depends on well-funded outreach services, supported by dedicated volunteers, to strengthen community connection and provide crucial assistance to those in need. 

Priority: Mental wellbeing 

The mental wellbeing of adults and young people was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis and evidence from the Health and Social Care Partnership shows a major increase in demand for mental wellbeing support. 

What people told us about this priority: 

• Training around mental wellbeing educates individuals on recognising and addressing, while promoting and understanding of its importance helps create a more informed and empathetic environment.
• Early intervention in schools can significantly enhance mental wellbeing by identifying and addressing mental health issues early, providing support through counselling and mental health education and fostering a supportive school environment with students and parents.
• Focus on practices such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition and regular exercise, building strong social connections, engaging in meaningful activities, managing stress through alternative therapies. 

Priority: Skills, lifelong learning and employability 

Good digital skills and the confidence to use them has become increasingly important and has highlighted issues with connectivity, technology and individual capacity. Community Learning and Development services focus on those who need the greatest support to bridge the "digital divide." 

What people told us about this priority:

• Training opportunities should be co-ordinated and promoted locally including pathways to employment. 
• Digital hubs in communities, could also include banking and advice hubs with devices available to use. These could be in schools, libraries and/or community centres/village halls. 
• Intergenerational learning and Digital Champions in local venues could increase digital skills. 

Access to learning and development opportunities is a priority for those in formal and informal education. Community Learning and Development provision helps to support individuals and communities to build their skills, confidence and resilience. Ways of delivering learning have also evolved and changed with a particular focus on our most vulnerable communities such as those seeking asylum and gypsy travellers.

What people told us about this priority: 

• Improve accessibility to learning. This should include having a variety of opportunities such as drop-ins. Also, increase the accessibility of suitable venues, times and childcare to reduce the barriers. 
• Involve communities more in the design and delivery of learning opportunities for all ages. 
• Improve accessibility to learning including digital access and suitable venues such as empty shop units which could be utilised by community organisations to carry out outreach work. 

Employability is about an enhanced focus on upskilling for those seeking employment and supporting adults and young people in a fast-changing job market, enabling people to enter, sustain and progress into further education and work. Community Learning and Development services supports the Local Employability Partnership bringing by providing the skills, qualifications and confidence to engage in more formal employability programmes. 

What people told us about this priority: 

• Formal and informal education opportunities need to match the job market trends. 
• Have a clear strategic approach with an identified lead to bring together employers, educational establishments and community organisations to network and collaborate. 
• Work with employers to increase the number of work experience, apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities available. 

Priorities for the Community Learning and Development Plan 

Based on the findings from the consultation exercise and a review of relevant information and data, the following are priorities for the 2024 to 2027 Community Learning and Development Plan: 

• Tackling poverty in our communities 
• Working in partnership with communities to meet local need and develop resilient communities
• Supporting children, young people and families to improve their outcomes 
• Developing a stronger and greener local economy and supporting lifelong learning and employability support 
• The mental wellbeing of children, young people and adults

Several years of analysis show clear inequalities in education, health and other outcomes for certain groups, particularly those living with poverty. We recognise that in these challenging times for all services, including Community Learning and Development, it won't be possible to reach everyone who may need them, but early Community Learning and Development intervention and prevention work may stop bigger challenges emerging. Perth and Kinross Council does not offer universal Community Learning and Development across the whole area but targets priority groups and communities. This allows us to disperse delivery across Council services and ensure that this work is built into service management and improvement plans. Community Learning and Development partners will work together over the lifetime of the plan to make best use of resources to meet the need of specific communities and priority groups.

In collaboration with the Tayside and Fife Professional Learning Alliance, a consultation exercise was conducted across the region between March and June 2024 to gather the learning needs of Community Learning and Development practitioners. There were 6 clear themes which emerged from the consultation exercise which we have used to form the basis of our workforce development agenda.