This report reviews current community development activity and makes a series of recommendations to ensure that it plays a greater role in meeting the needs of society. It presents the views of a national working party established to examine the effectiveness of community development. It explores the contribution that community development can make to strengthening local communities. It outlines the policy context in which community development occurs and explores the challenges and obstacles facing it. It offers recommendations intended to improve the effectiveness of community development and sets out the National Occupational Standards for it.

The context of the research is the UK government policy aim of trying to stimulate community engagement in public affairs and local development. Community development has an unclear profile, and policy makers and the public are not yet fully aware of its crucial role in society. The research was undertaken to look at the present state of community development in England and assess what steps might be necessary to raise its profile and effectiveness.

The research consisted of desk-based research, a UK-wide survey of community development workers, and a ‘drill down’ in six contrasting local areas in England.

The research finds that: community development should be promoted as a nationally recognised occupation with a clear basis in values, methods and outcomes; a strategic approach to community development should operate across each local area; funding should be adequate to achieve and maintain a major step change in the level of community strengths and empowerment across the nation; community development should be managed and delivered to the highest standards; and high quality community development training should be available in each region at all levels and in different ways.

Communities and Local Government
Phone: +44 20 7944 4400
contactus@communities.gsi.gov.uk

01/12/2006

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Community Development Foundation

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Community development