Purpose of Network

The key purpose of the Network is to support staff involved in the planning and implementation of guidance and student support services, including those with the key responsibility for ensuring the access and inclusion of learners with a diverse range of needs, into all aspects of college life. It’s a supportive, solution focused network that acts as a strategic voice on behalf of the sector, provides a sounding board for CDN and stakeholders, shares practice and provides an opportunity to meet and influence policy makers.

Focus of the network this session

  • Sharing the challenges and approaches to a return to campus.
  • Sharing and developing policies related to student support services.
  • Sharing ideas and approaches to student mental health support in light of additional funding.
  • Establishing a number of peer-led Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to meet the needs of the group.

Who may wish to attend this network

The range of roles within the group is broad and includes guidance managers and practitioners, managers and practitioners working within supported learning and those with responsibility for equality and inclusion.

Professional Learning Communities

Aside from this main network, a range of Professional Learning Communities are in place for colleagues to share practice relevant to their individual role and individual needs.

  • Wellbeing – The purpose is to enable mental health and wellbeing practitioners/advisors/mentors from across Scotland’s colleges to share best practice, network and share relevant information related to student wellbeing.
  • College Autism –The purpose is to enable practitioners from across Scotland’s colleges to share best practice, network and share relevant information related to enabling students on the Autistic Spectrum to access and succeed in college.
  • College Counselling Network Scotland (CCNS)- The purpose is to facilitate the process of peer support already established for qualified counsellors in colleges, and to meet the needs of additional counsellors recently recruited to the college sector.
  • Supported Learning-The purpose of this group is to enable practitioners who work in inclusive learning, or who have a cross college learning support role to network, share practice and relevant information related to enabling students with a range of additional support needs to access and succeed in college.
  • Careers, Education, Information and Guidance (CEIAG)- this group is aimed at those members who, within their broader remit have a Manager/Lead role in providing a college Careers Information, Advice and Guidance Service.

External partnerships

External representation is drawn from Education Scotland, SFC, SDS, SCAPP, SAAS, SQA, third sector.

CDN Lead

Sandy MacLean