CPD

Continuous professional development (CPD) in the context of CLD is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated area of the CLD Standards Council's remit.

When the Interim Standards Council commissioned a piece of research from Edinburgh University it found "limited availability of most forms of formal CPD for all staff" and referred to "the apparent incongruity of more experienced staff having more opportunities for all forms of staff development and support than early career staff." There are clear links to both the approval and the registration aspects of the Council’s work.

The CPD Committee will work in a dynamic and responsive way, influencing providers and stimulating a broader agenda of CPD for the broad spectrum CLD field, including volunteers. It is recognised that training programmes cannot fully prepare students for the extremely wide range of roles that comprise CLD, and that an effective CPD infrastructure (both generic and for specialisms) is necessary to support both individual progression and change within the field. CPD may look very different for different groups of workers and should include interagency training.

The approach taken should reflect CLD values and principles and not be overly prescriptive.