Community Development Journal Advance Access originally published online on July 12, 2005
Community Development Journal 2006 41(3):277-292; doi:10.1093/cdj/bsi063
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From recognition to support: Community development workers in the United Kingdom
Bradford College
Address for correspondence: Andrew Glen, Department of Applied Social Science & Humanities, Bradford College, McMillan Building, Trinity Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD5 0JE. email: a.glen{at}bradfordcollege.ac.uk
This paper discusses the main findings of a major survey of UK community development workers. The authors also point to some serious weaknesses facing the community development profession in the United Kingdom that are preventing it from gaining greater recognition. Following a review of community development in the United Kingdom in recent years, its activities and strategic contexts, the paper highlights three key themes: occupational instability and employment, equality issues, training and support. Given the UK policy context, in which considerable emphasis is being given to the importance of involving communities, the article argues that policymakers and community development organizations have a responsibility to find ways of ensuring that the knowledge, skills, and techniques of community development are better understood and supported.