A Code of Ethics for Community
Learning and Development (CLD)
Ethics are often described as the standards of behaviour that govern the conduct of an individual or
the members of a profession. This Code has a central role in defining and communicating what CLD
work is. Together with the widely-agreed values and principles and the Competence Framework, it
provides the foundation for improving standards in CLD and for strengthening the identity of CLD as aprofession. One of the criteria for registration as a member of the CLD Standards Council is acommitment to the Code. It sets out ethical principles and is deliberately expressed in positive terms
to describe what we do.
Context“Community learning and development (CLD) is learning and social development work with individuals andgroups in their communities using a range of formal and informal methods.”“We see [CLD] as empowering people, individually and collectively, to make positive changes in their lives
and their communities through learning.”
Ref: Working and Learning Together (2004) and Strategic Guidance for Community Planning Partnerships (2012)

1. Primary client

3. Equity

Our primary client (our ‘constituent’) is theindividual, group or community with whom
we engage.

Our work promotes equality of opportunityand outcome. Our practice is equitable andinclusive.

We will ensure that the interests of theconstituents we work with are at the centreof everything we do in our work. We will notseek to advance ourselves, our organisations
or others, personally, politically orprofessionally, at the expense of ourconstituents.

4. Empowerment
We seek to enhance constituents’ capacity
for positive action by:•enabling them to clarify and pursue
their chosen priorities•building skills of decision-making,engagement and co-operation

2. Social context•making power relations open and clear

Our work is not limited to facilitating change
within individuals, but extends to their socialcontext and environment. It recognises theimpact of ecological and structural forces onpeople.

•supporting constituents in holding thosewith power accountable•facilitating disengagement from theprofessional relationship.

CLD Standards Council

Our starting point is that constituents arecapable of assessing and acting on theirinterests.
September 2017

AA Code
Code ofof EthicsEthics forfor Community
Community
Learning andand Development
Development(CLD)(CLD)
Learning

5. Duty of Care

9. Professional Learning

We will avoid exposing our constituents tothe likelihood of harm and/or detriment totheir wellbeing.

In order to improve our capacity to meet ourobligations to constituents, we will work
reflectively, identifying, using and sharing
information, resources, skills, knowledge andpractices with colleagues and others.

6. Transparency
Engagement with the young person, adultlearner or community, and the resulting
relationship, will be open and truthful.
Potential conflicts of interest will be openlydeclared.

7. Confidentiality
We will respect confidentiality in relation to
information provided by constituents. We will
make constituents aware of limits to thisconfidentiality and, wherever possible, willconsult with them before any disclosure.
When we need to decide whether or not todisclose information we will use professional
judgement, taking account of both theprinciple of maintaining confidentiality and of
our duty of care. We will ensure that thisjudgement is professionally defensible.

8. Co-operation
We will actively seek to co-operate withothers in order to secure the best possible
outcomes for our constituents.

CLD Standards Council

10. Self-awarenessWe should be conscious of our own values
and interests, and approach cultural andother difference respectfully. While the needto challenge may arise, we must try first tounderstand.

11. Boundaries
The CLD professional relationship isintentionally limited in order to protect theconstituent, the practitioner and the purposeof our work. These limits should be clarified,established and maintained. The relationshipmust be based on mutual trust and must not
involve abuse of the constituent / practitioner
relationship.

12. Self-care
We will work to ensure CLD practice isconsistent with the safety, health andwellbeing of CLD practitioners.

September 2017