CLD Standards Council Scotland

Tribute to Emeritus Professor Ted Millburn CBE

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Emeritus Professor Ted Millburn CBE on the evening of Wednesday, 19th August 2026.

Ted dedicated his life to the development of young people, communities, and the profession of Community Learning and Development (CLD). Throughout a distinguished career, he served as a Youth Worker, YMCA Secretary, and Assistant Director of Education with the former Strathclyde Regional Council, where he held overall responsibility for Community Education, the forerunner of Community Learning and Development in Scotland.

His work in colleges and universities led to his appointment as the United Kingdom's first Professor of Community Education at the University of Strathclyde. Throughout his academic career, Ted was deeply committed to preparing students for professional practice, advancing research in youth and community work, and championing the values of social justice that remained central to everything he did.

Ted played a pivotal role in the foundation and establishment of the CLD Standards Council. Even in retirement, his commitment to civic and community life never diminished. He continued to volunteer with the National Council of YMCAs in Scotland and served on the national boards of both YouthLink Scotland and Young Scot.

Ted's influence extended far beyond the many roles he held. He inspired generations of practitioners, educators, and community leaders, shaping not only professional practice but also the values that underpin the CLD sector across Scotland.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Jeannie, and with his family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives were touched by his wisdom, kindness, and dedication.
His loss will be felt by many across the country, and his legacy will endure through the countless individuals and communities he helped to support and inspire.

Thank you, Ted. May you rest in peace.

Dr Marion Allison
Director
CLD Standards Council Scotland

with University of Strathclyde YMCA Scotland YouthLink Scotland YouthScotland

Stop by The CLD Standards Council stand in the lobby area today.

CLD Standards Council Scotland

What is the CLD Standards Council Scotland?
The CLD Standards Council Scotland is the professional body for people who work or volunteer in community learning and development in Scotland.

We are a member led organisation. Our approach and work plans to deliver our core responsibilities are defined by our member committees and based on feedback from the wider membership.

We are funded by the Scottish Government, with a ministerially appointed Chair.

✨ Volunteers’ Week ✨
Volunteers are at the heart of Community Learning & Development 💬
They bring passion, experience and real community insight—and when they connect with the CLD Standards Council, they can grow their skills, confidence, and impact 🌱
Using the CLD Competencies, Values & Ethics, volunteers are supported to reflect, learn and deliver meaningful, high-quality experiences for others.
It’s about making a difference—and growing along the way 💙
Let’s celebrate the power of volunteering this week 🙌
Interested in being a member, then visit our website for more information: https://cldstandardscouncil.org.uk/registration/

Registration Registration View the text of the following video

Looking for your next step in your CLD journey? Why not join UHI Perth online session and find out about this Professionally Qualifying degree.

Online Open Day ➕ Child and Youth Studies and Child and Youth Studies with Community Learning and Development

📅 Thursday 18 June 2026 ⌚ 7-8pm 💻 Book a free place: https://tinyurl.com/yhukmvv3

ℹ️ Are you passionate about challenging discrimination and disadvantage? Do you have a strong desire to give a voice to communities and the individuals living in them? Do you want to explore the rights and perspectives of children and young people on all of the matters that affect them? Put social justice and a commitment to social change at the heart of your studies on our Child and Youth Studies programmes.

UHI CLD Standards Council Scotland

Members..... have you booked your place?

Have Your Say: Code of Practice on Supporting Children's Learning Scottish Government is consulting on a refreshed Code of Practice on Supporting Children’s Learning

MEMBERS: Join us and HAVE YOUR SAY

Scottish Government is consulting on a refreshed Code of Practice on Supporting Children’s Learning, which provides statutory guidance on the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. The revised draft aims to improve clarity, readability and ease of navigation for everyone who uses the guidance. The Code is intended for a wide range of organisations and practitioners who support children and young people with additional support needs – including those working across communities.

This consultation is a key opportunity to ensure that CLD is clearly recognised, consistently described, and appropriately positioned within the guidance. We are inviting CLD Standards Council members to take part in this online “Have Your Say” session to:

• Explore the proposed revised guidance together
• Share your professional insights, experiences, and concerns
• Identify where the role, contribution and impact of CLD practitioners could be strengthened
• Influence how CLD is described and valued within the Code

Your experience of working with children, young people and families across communities brings valuable insight that can strengthen this national guidance, and help shape a well-informed, evidence-based response from the CLD Standards Council. Importantly, the feedback gathered from this session will directly inform the formal response submitted by the CLD Standards Council to Scottish Government. The more member voices we hear, the stronger and more representative that response will be.

Who should attend?

This session is open to CLD Standards Council members who want to understand the proposed changes to the Code of Practice, contribute their professional perspective to the consultation and help ensure CLD is clearly recognised and strengthened within national policy.

Book your place

Register now to attend our “Have Your Say” session and play an active role in shaping how CLD is reflected in this important statutory guidance.

Together, we can help ensure that the voice, profile and impact of CLD are clearly visible in this review — for the benefit of the people and communities we support.

Have Your Say: Code of Practice on Supporting Children's Learning Scottish Government is consulting on a refreshed Code of Practice on Supporting Children’s Learning

Do you work in Gaelic CLD settings? Or are you interested in getting involved? If so …tha sinn air leth toilichte cuireadh a thoirt dhut gu Coinneamh nam Buill againn sa Ghiblean! (We’re delighted to invite you to our April Member-Meet-up.)

This session is open to CLD Standards Council Members and Non-Members. It’s taking place online tomorrow (Tuesday 21 April, from 1–3pm) and will focus on Gaelic CLD practice sharing, with the session led by CLD Standards Council members Graham MacLellan and Kirsty Strachan. Whether you’re already immersed in Gaelic learning or just starting to explore this area of practice, this meet‑up is for you!

Together, we’ll explore four key questions:

✨ What challenges do we face when delivering Gaelic learning to young people, adults and families?
✨ What training do CLD Gaelic staff need, and what would you love to see offered?
✨ What resources are people currently using — and where are the gaps?
✨ What innovative work is happening that could inspire future sessions?

This session, delivered in partnership with the CLD Standards Council, will help shape future training opportunities and spotlight great practice across the sector. Your insights will also feed directly into the CLD Gaelic Review group and regional Professional Learning Networks.

So, whether you’re a seasoned Gaelic CLD practitioner or just stepping into this vibrant area of work, come along to share ideas, spark new thinking, and help shape what professional learning looks like next.
USE THIS LINK TO BOOK YOUR PLACE

Member Meet-up: Gaelic CLD Practice Sharing The session is an opening discussion around sharing practice in the context of Gaelic Adult and Family Learning.

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Last chance to have your say!

We’re putting out one final call to everyone across the CLD community — practitioners, managers, volunteers, partners, and employers. Your voice is vital, and your insight will shape what comes next for our sector.

👉 Take the survey now:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CLDWorkforceSurvey/

⏳ The survey is closing very soon — this is your final opportunity to take part.

Let’s make sure the CLD workforce is seen, understood, and represented. Your response truly matters.

This is a call to everyone across the CLD community: practitioners, employers, volunteers, partners, and stakeholders. Your experience matters, and your insight is essential.

👉 Complete the survey here:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CLDWorkforceSurvey/

The last national workforce survey was in 2018. Since then, our sector has evolved, adapted, and risen to new challenges. Now is the moment to make sure that change is captured.

Every response strengthens the picture of our sector and helps shape the support, recognition, and development opportunities we push for next. Your contribution directly influences the future direction of CLD in Scotland.

⏳ The survey closes at the end of February.
Please take 15 minutes to complete it — and encourage your colleagues, teams, and networks to do the same. The more responses we gather, the stronger our voice becomes.

Let’s make sure the CLD workforce is truly seen, heard, and represented. Your response matters.