The Consortium for Participatory Arts Learning (C-PAL) was originally set up in 2005 in response to Arts Council England, North West research into continued professional development in the participatory arts sector, in which the need for this consortium was identified. The original set up was funded by Arts Council England, North West and was a group of regularly funded participatory led organisations across the North West.

C-PAL's main remit has been to develop an ongoing program of opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD) for people who are currently working, or want to work in the participatory arts sector.  It also provides a network to share ideas and issues and explore the development of the sector in the North West.

C-PAL quickly saw the need to “establish a framework that [would] establish a common understanding of expectation and assist in communication across the sector.” Through in depth consultation with member organisations, Gerri Moriarty and Jacqui Ruding developed the Core Competency Framework.