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)
