In this blog post we shall highlight some of the training opportunities free and paid for, which are currently available to out of school care services in Scotland. A number of these are available directly through SOSCN and others are through external agencies; some of the courses are available via online distance learning.
If you provide training, we would be happy to hear from you so that we can create a more comprehensive training directory. (Please note that we are not endorsing any external training but highlighting its existence.)
Don't forget to log any training on MySSSC for Post Registration Training and Learning with the Scottish Social Services Council. To register your MySSSC account, visit: https://www.sssc.uk.com/signin/
Glasgow Wednesday 5th June
Edinburgh Wednesday 11th June
Cost: £60 per delegate
At the masterclasses Jim and delegates will consider how children can be better supported in out of school care by suggesting various strategies and approaches with particular focus on the environment, resources and adult-child relationships. The class will be delivered through presentation, workshop discussions and feedback sessions- it is an interactive and immersive half-day training opportunity.
Further information and booking details: https://soscn.org/participate/seeing-the-potential
Cost: £200 per session (sessions organised locally by services)
Participants will gain an understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)- what they are, how to recognise if children are being adversely affected, and how to help build children's resilience to counteract any negative effects. As part of the training we shall show exerts from the film 'Resilience. The biology of stress and the science of hope.' and provide opportunities for discussion as well as practical ideas to implement in out of school care services.
Further information: https://soscn.org/participate/resilience
Cost: £200 per session (sessions organised locally by services)
This training sets out to give participants an understanding of the importance of physical activity, as well as provide them with skills for getting children of all abilities to take part in, and overcome the barriers to, getting active.
Further information: https://soscn.org/participate/active-training
Futurelearn is an online learning platform with a variety of courses developed by universities from around the world. Courses are of varying length and free with a pay option to have greater access and a certificate of completion. The following are a selection of courses which may be of use:
The Care and Learning Alliance (CALA) e and Learning Alliance (CALA) is the largest third sector early learning and childcare organisation serving Highland and Moray. Through partnership working with local authorities, social enterprises and other third sector organisations, CALA promotes a culture of 'getting it right for every child' and is also a direct provider of Early Learning and Childcare and Out of School Care services. Following is a list of the units available through their e-learning platform:
FREE COURSES
£10 COURSES
For further information, visit: https://calaelearning.co.uk
Mearns After-school Care Service (MACS) are an out of school care service operating from multiple sites in East Renfrewshire and Scotstoun, and are currently the first and only organisation in Scotland to gain SQA approval to deliver the Forest Kindergarten National Progression Award in association with the Forest Commission.
This course identifies the value of woodlands as an essential part of the learning process for children.
It has been carefully designed to equip you with the experiences, knowledge, understanding and skills to enable children in their setting to play in local woods and other greenspace.
For cost and further information: https://www.macs.uk.com/training
Out of School Care providers have a unique relationship with the children they care for: role models, influencers and mentors. The school holidays are opportunities to spend time on projects with real meaning and learning opportunities. While many Out of School Clubs may not serve meals there are still great opportunities to run cooking clubs, Forest School Camp Fire Cooking, nutrition clubs and to liaise with other community groups to help children build a strong understanding of their health and its relationship with their food and dietary choices.
Lunch boxes - so many Out of School Clubs tell us about the struggle they have to influence healthier lunchboxes. Your training can help you devise a whole range of activities and interventions to influence the children to 'clean up their' lunchboxes.
Holiday food programmes- whether you have kitchen facilities or want to plan a pop up kitchen or sandwich bar- we can support you with nutrition training for your setting which is specially designed to help you plan your holiday food project.
For costs and further information, visit: https://www.nigeldenbynutritiontraining.co.uk