Mutual Recognition of Community Work Qualifications between Ireland and Scotland

October 16th, 2024

 

This is an important day for community work and community learning and development in Ireland and Scotland as the All-Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work Education and Training (AIEB) and Community Learning and Development Standards Council for Scotland (CLD Standards Council) sign a joint protocol to mutually recognise the qualifications for which they have responsibility.

This collaboration supports the discipline of community work and community learning and development, and the mobility of professionally qualified community work practitioners across the nations.

Strengthening the discipline of community work and community learning and development is underpinned by mutual recognition of and commitment to Standards in practice, and in education and training for that practice.  This agreement between CLD Standards Council and AIEB is a crucial step towards improving standards within the CLD Sector and is the basis for further collaboration.  This also commences  an important journey towards the broader recognition of agreed Standards within Europe and globally.

CLD Standards Council is recognised in Scotland as the professional body for those practising in community learning and development. AIEB is recognised by Quality and Qualifications Ireland as the peak body responsible for standards and the endorsement of professional community work education and training.

While acknowledging both CLD Standards Council and AIEB have slightly different remits, both support the development of the discipline and practice of high-quality Community Work and Community Learning and Development.

Alan Sherry OBE Chair of the CLD Standards Council said, “The CLD Standards Council is delighted to announce this new partnership and mutual recognition agreement with a key European standards setting body in the field of Community Learning and Development (Community Work). This agreement recognises the importance of the field of CLD globally and allows Qualified practitioners further scope to expand their field of practice by ensuring that CLD Standards Council Professional Qualifications are recognised internationally. We look forward to strengthening our working relationship working with the All-Ireland Endorsement Body to benefit of practitioners across Scotland and Ireland.”

Anastasia Crickley, Chair of the All-Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work Education and Training said, ‘This AIEB CLDSC (full names) mutual recognition of qualifications endorsed or recognised by either body marks an important step not only for both bodies but also for Community Work practitioners and providers of Community Development education and training in Ireland, Scotland and beyond. It reinforces the discipline and the standards which inform it, reinforces recognition of quality practice and most importantly reinforces ongoing capacity to work collectively towards better outcomes for all involved especially marginalised and minority communities and groups.  As the underpinning principles of the qualifications involved are linked to global standards it also reinforces their place in the global discipline of Community Work and Development. This is a unifying focus in this time of challenge and change for all everywhere who stand up for rights in the face of ongoing exclusion oppression, climate injustice, racism, associated violence and wars which essential too for us in here Ireland. We look forward to a continued journey towards this end with CLDSC and others here and elsewhere.’

In Picture at the Community Development Assocation of Scotland (CDAS) annual conference: Anna Clarke (IACD), Kirsty Gemmell (CLDSC), Anastasia Crickley (AIEB), Ross Martin (CLDSC), Ciara Shanahan (AIEB)

Symposium 2024

Old Challenges, New Issues – for Communities, Community Workers, Community Work Education

Symposium 2024

Wednesday October 16th, 10.30a,m – 4.00pm

F2 Centre, 3 Reuben Plaza, Rialto, Dublin 8

The AIEB Symposium being held in association with Community Work Ireland (CWI).   The event will provide an opportunity to discuss the current and future role of Community Work and Community Work education and training in addressing the complex and intersecting issues affecting communities today.

Join us for this interactive event including inputs, panel discussions and roundtable conversations.  Share your insights and hear from national and international colleagues including:

  • Peter Westoby, Associate Professor, Murdoch University and Community Praxis Co-op, Australia
  • Rachael Donovan, Community Praxis Co-op, Australia
  • Balume Dube, Donegal Intercultural Platform and Think Equality Donegal
  • Clare McGillivray, Making Rights Real Scotland and
  • AIEB, CWI and other colleagues form Ireland, North and South

To attend register here.

Places are limited so early booking is advised.

 

 

 

Funding Application Deadline Extended to May 17th

The deadline for receipt of applications from providers/ sponsors for support deliver an Introductory Community Work Education and Training Programme has been extended to Friday May 17th.

 

As you know AIEB has secured funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development to support:

  • the delivery of a limited number of programmes providing AIEB recognised introductory community work education and,
  • access to introductory AIEB recognised community work education for those involved in community work on a paid or voluntary basis.

The fund is open for applications from providers or sponsors* of introductory community work education and training programmes which already have AIEB recognition.  The closing date for applications has now been extended to Friday May 17th.  To make an application please use the application form hereEducation and Training Provider Application Form.

AIEB Recognition provides assurance that the community work education and training programmes reflect the All-Ireland-Standards-for-Community-Work. Programmes not already recognised by AIEB woud need to be submitted for and receive AIEB recognition to fulfill the eligibility criteria for applying for support.  The AIEB recognition process is simple and straightforward and you can access the Guidelines for Recognition of Community Work programmes here .  To find out what programmes are recognised by AIEB to date see here .

If you are a community work education provider/sponsor and would like any further information in advance of applying for recognition or support contact Ciara by email at ciara.shanahan@aieb.ie

Unique Community Work Education and Training Opportunity

Are you involved in a voluntary or paid capacity in community work and would you like to learn more about community work and its values and principles?

Are you supporting people working in a paid or voluntary capacity in a community work setting who might benefit from the opportunity to learn and acquire some basic community work knowledge and skills?

Are you the provider/sponsor of an Introductory Community Work Education Programme recognised by AIEB?

AIEB has secured funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development to support:

  • the delivery of a limited number of programmes providing AIEB recognised introductory community work education and,
  • access to introductory AIEB recognised community work education for those involved in community work on a paid or voluntary basis.

The fund is now open for applications from providers or sponsors* of introductory community work education and training programmes which already have AIEB recognition.  The closing date for applications is Wednesday April 3rd using the application form here Education and Training Provider Application Form.

AIEB Recognition provides assurance that the community work education and training programmes reflect the All-Ireland-Standards-for-Community-Work. Programmes not already recognised by AIEB woud need to be submitted for and receive AIEB recognition to fulfill the eligibility criteria for applying for support.  The AIEB recognition process is simple and straightforward and you can access the Guidelines for Recognition of Community Work programmes here .  To find out what programmes are recognised by AIEB to date see here .

Individuals may also be eligible to apply for support to undertake an AIEB recognised introductory community work education and training programme not already supported under this initiative.

If you are interested in finding out more about this unique opportunity for you or for others involved in your organisation register your interest in attending our upcoming information sessions by completing this form https://forms.office.com/r/ZvnXSAVU5s or email ciara.shanahan@aieb.ie for further information.

If you are a community work education provider/sponsor and would like any further information in advance of applying for recognition or support contact Ciara by email at ciara.shanahan@aieb.ie

AIEB is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development

AIEB Bursary Fund Information and Application Form

Supporting Access to Endorsed Professional Postgraduate Community Work Education and Training.

Are you working as a community worker, manager of a community work organisation or undertaking community work duties in an associated role in an organisation with a community development mandate?

Do you have a degree but not a professional community work qualification?

Are you interested in pursuing a postgraduate professionally endorsed community work qualification.

If so the AIEB bursary fund supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development may be of interest to you.

The bursary application form and associated information note can be downloaded here.

Bursary Important Information and Application Form

Bursary support of up to a maximum of €3000.00 in 2023 and €3,000.00 in 2024 is available to support a limited number of people.

Please note the closing date for receipt of bursary applications i Friday September 29th at 5.00pm.

To apply you need to:

  • have applied for and secured a place on the blended postgraduate e MSocSc Community Work and Youth Work, part-time, in-service programme at Maynooth University.
  • be employed as a community worker, manager of a community work organisation or someone who undertakes community work duties in an organisation with a clear community work mandate.
  • have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in the field.
  • have the support of your employer to participate in the programme.
  • be able to demonstrate an interest in and commitment to community work practice, issues, standards and values.
  • be committed to professional community work education and training and want a professional community work qualification.

To find out more join one of our online lunchtime information sessions:

  • Register here to join us on Friday August 25th from 1pm – 2pm

or

  • Register here to join us on Friday September 1st from 1pm – 2pm

Bursary Fund Background

Reinforcing the community work/community development workforce, including through increasing the number of partitioners with access to professional qualifications, is a key concern for the All Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work Education and Training (AIEB). Two issues of very immediate concern in this regard emerged from the AIEB Education and Training Needs Assessment that was undertaken in a number of areas:

  • firstly, professional qualifications for practitioners with degrees but not a professional community work qualification
  • secondly, routes to professional qualifications for those involved in community work in various ways

The AIEB Bursary Fund supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development has been established to support those with degrees currently employed in community work and associated roles to pursue endorsed professional qualifications in 2023 and 2024.

As of now, the recently modified postgraduate in-service Masters in Community and Youth Work (MCYW) from the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University is the only postgraduate part-time programme in Ireland with professional endorsement by AIEB. Its new mode of delivery makes it potentially suitable for bursary applicants – who will need to secure a place on the programme in the first instance.

Information about the programme can be found by following this link MSocSc CYW part-time in-service information 2023 entry FINAL– and further details on the programme are available from the Department of Applied Social Studies in Maynooth University.

We are also currently developing and seeking additional support for an initiative for people employed or involved in community work and associated work but who do not have a degree and/or professional qualifications to commence in 2023 or early 2024. The programme(s) supported through this fund will be those recognized by AIEB and can provide participants with a certified qualification that ensures the foundations essential for further professional studies. We will keep you informed as the initiative develops.

Enquiries about any aspect of the bursary can be made to bursary@aieb.ie

AIEB at World Community Development Conference 2023

Anastasia Crickley and Anna Clarke, June 21st , WCDC 2023

Speaking at the closing plenary on Wednesday June 21st in Darwin Australia, Anastasia and Anna stressed the ongoing global need for Community Work and Community Workers to articulate and address the key issues facing marginalised and minority communities, as well as those facing Indigenous Peoples throughout the world.

They pointed to racism and associated hatred, oppression of women, disablement, global class divisions, criminalisation of migrants, and a dominant global economic system which makes the rich richer and the intersections between all of them as evidence of the systemic issues that community workers who subscribe to community work values cannot ignore and must reflect in practice however challenging that might be.

In Ireland they said, Community Work has a strong history of acknowledging that change in systems outside the community experiencing the brunt edge of their inadequacies and embedded discrimination is required, that engagement is not participation and that real participation has to include rights and not just needs. Change sought through Community Work may rightly be about procedures and in local experiences, but change in laws may also be needed, as well as change in the system and its ideological underpinning with power as an issue throughout.

Anastasia told of how our Irish Values and Standards are reflected in government policy and strategy, as well as in a new Community Development Programme and also in the overall terms of our local development programme (SICAP).  However, she said this, and the current focus on support for inclusive Community Work education did not happen by accident but took considerable and committed efforts over a period from Community Work Ireland(CWI) and the All Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work Education (AIEB) and will continue to require this, especially if the current support of a committed Minister and officials changed as could happen with a change Ministers or of government.

Anastasia and Anna started the closing plenary of the day with an acknowledgment in Irish and English of the Larrakia country and people on whose land the conference took place and finished by giving details of both CWI and AIEB.

Later that evening, at a dinner to mark IACD’s 70th year, Trustees made a presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Anastasia in acknowledgment, as she reaches the end of her term as an IACD trustee and previous vice- president, of her long term contributions globally to IACD and Community Development.  She will continue an active role in IACD’s International Group which links IACD with the UN, with Community Development associated global civil society organisations and Community Work Educators throughout the world

For further information, please contact:

+353 (0) 87 1308273

enquiries@aieb.ie

AIEB is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

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For further information, please contact:

+353 (0) 87 2998619

enquiries@aieb.ie

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AIEB is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.