information

Families

training

events

Professional Development Book Club

Quality Improvement Framework for Early Learning and Childcare Sectors

Managing Distressed Behaviour with Trauma Informed Practice

previous events

SOSCN Conference 2024

Induction Training

Support to Pay for Childcare

Online Membership Catch-up

Building Resilience Event

Jim Taylor Knows Autism - Session 2

In-Person Play Training

COVID-19 Inquiry Discussion

Safer Staffing

Autism Learning Session

Local Networking

What it Takes

Teaching Stem in OSC

Staying Out

Skills Development Funding

Shaping the Framework

Seeing the Whole Child

Seeing the Potential

Scottish Government School Age Childcare Update

A Register for the Future

SOSCN Regional Events

International Learning Session

OSC Practice during COVID

Not just a dream

Networking Opportunity

SOSCN Members Online Network Meetings - October

Networking Meetings - May and June 2021

Networking Meetings

Getting Help with Childcare Costs

Getting it Right for Business

Get Ready for Summer

Delivering a Playful and Active Summer 2021

SSSC Codes of Practice Conversation

Celebrating Out of School Care

Care Inspectorate Update and 'Q and A' Session

Back to basics- financial planning in OSC

Activity and Wellbeing 29/11/2022

Access to Childcare Fund

Back to Basics

Quality Assurance

Policy

workforce survey

osc worforce survey results 2022

osc workforce survey results 2008

osc workforce survey results 2009

osc workforce survey results 2010

osc workforce survey results 2011

osc workforce survey results 2012

osc workforce survey results 2013

osc workforce survey results 2014

osc workforce survey results 2015

osc workforce survey results 2016

osc workforce survey results 2017

osc workforce survey results 2018

osc workforce survey results 2019

osc workforce survey results 2020 covid questions

osc workforce survey results 2020

osc workforce survey results 2021

reports

Recruitment and Retention Survey

SOSCN Reopening Survey October 2020

In-depth Financial Survey January 2021

Summer of Play 2021 Funding - Quick Survey Results

Snapshot Financial Sustainability Survey 2021

Summer of 2022 Funding– Quick Survey Results

Membership Survey Summer 2022

Care Inspectorate Inspection Process and Experience - Survey Results

'Fun!, Fun!, Super Fun!' - Children's thoughts on OSC

Limited or Lack of Local School Age Childcare Parent and Carer Impact Survey

Background and Discussion of Regulated School Age Childcare

School Age Childcare Workforce Discussion Paper

Discussion Paper: Specialist school-age childcare services supporting children with disabilities, complex needs and additional support needs

Local Authority Letting Charges for OSC Services in Scotland

'The Service is a Lifeline' - Parents/carers' thoughts on OSC

Learning About Play: Investigating play through relevant qualifications in Scotland

Children's Holiday Club Survey: Summary Results

Out of School Care: Views from the Field

statistics

consultations

A Quality Framework for Early Learning and Childcare, School Aged Childcare and Childminding Services

Inquiry into Child Poverty and Parental Employment

National Outcomes Review 2023

Social Care: Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny and Regulation in Scotland - call for evidence

Let's Talk Scottish Education

Inspection of early learning and childcare and school age childcare services in Scotland

A register for the future

Open Space Strategies and Play Sufficiency Assessments Regulations: consultation

Becoming a fair work nation

Coronavirus (COVID-19) recovery - justice system, health and public services reform: consultation

National Care Service proposals

Out of School Care in Scotland - a draft framework for consultation

Quality Framework, Early Learning and Childcare (daycare of children, childminding and out of school care) Consultation

Incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots Law: consultation

Good Food Nation: consultation

Every child, every chance: tackling child poverty delivery plan 2018-2022

Nutritional requirements for food and drink in schools: consultation

Protection of Vulnerable Groups and the Disclosure of Criminal Information

Early Learning and Childcare Service Model for 2020: Consultation Paper

Safe and Effective Staffing in Health and Social Care

Consultation on Excellence and Equity for All: Guidance on the Presumption of Mainstreaming

Empowering Schools: A consultation on the provisions of the Education (Scotland) Bill

A Healthier Future - action and ambitions on diet, activity and healthy weight

Children (Equal Protection From Assault) (Scotland) Bill

Empowering teachers, parents and communities to achieve excellence and equity in education: A Governance Review

Consultation on the National Health and Social Care Standards

A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland

Discussion Paper - Early Learning and Childcare 1140 hours expansion

research

national policy

SOSCN

OSC A to Z

A - B

accessibility

accidents and emergencies

additional support needs

allergies

anti-bullying

attainment

behaviour rules

Ch - Co

childcare tax credits

childcare vouchers

child protection

children's charter

children's participation - UNCRC

codes of conduct

consent

Co - G

contracts, costs, fees and cancellations

creativity

Data Protection

equality and diversity

First-Aid Training

food choices

Getting it Right

H - J

health and safety and insurance

homework

illness, infection and medication

Induction

introduction

Jargon Buster

Just A...

K - Pa

Kids' Club

Learning

Lone Parents

Moving and Handling

Nature

Outdoor Play

parental rights and involvement

Pe - T

Personal Plans

Play

play and risk

Quality in OSC

Risk and Challenge

social media and mobile phones

trips and outings

U - Z

United Nations

volunteers

workforce

X-Boxes and Screens

Young Adults

Zero Tolerance

SOSCN Professional Development Book Club - First Book

Personal Plan Toolkit

Everything you need to create personal plans within your service

Medication Management Toolkit

Medication storage, administration and record keeping

Experiences for Older Children

This month's practice focus area is experiences for older children

Service Environment

This month's practice focus area is Service Environment

Dec 2024

Winter edition with updates from Care Inspectorate, SSSC, Members Stories, and more

Professional Development Book Club

Join up with your colleagues in the school age childcare sector from across the country, to read, learn, network and develop

Happy Playday 2024- the culture of childhood!

SOSCN is a committed play champion. This year's theme is Play- the culture of childhood. Supporting play, fun and friendships

Muthill Kiddy Club

We took a trip to visit the children, parents and staff at Muthill Kiddy Club in Perthshire, to learn more about what it’s like at a rural service

Workforce Survey 2024

The SOSCN School Age Childcare Workforce survey 2024 is now live

Key UK Budget announcements October 2024

National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage, and National Insurance Contributions

Season's Greetings

We hope you enjoy the holidays and wish you all the best for 2025

children's guide

SOSCN Children's Guide to Out of School Care and your 20 questions play book

information

Information for service providers and practitioners

Impact Assessments

Information and a sample impact assessment form

Factsheets

download information PDFs here

sick pay

Pensions

Guidance on pay rates

Adverse Weather and Extreme Temperature

video (DVD) licences

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

anti-bullying guidance

STEM in OSC

Information on STEM in school age childcare and SOSCN previous work in the area

Physical Activity in OSC

We are committed to encouraging physical activity and active play both indoors and outdoors at school age childcare services

Essential Guidance For School Age Childcare Services

Documents and guidance most relevance currently to registered school age childcare services

Business Support

It is vital that in addition to expert childcare knowledge, services need to have good business knowledge

Play

Article 31 of the UNCRC states that children have a right to culture, leisure, rest and play

funding

Information for funding opportunities for services

Financial Support to Parents

Understanding Financial Support to Parents to Pay for Childcare

Wellbeing in OSC

GIRFEC, SHANARRI, professional responsibility and more

management

different management structures for school age childcare servicves

regulation

Registration requirements for school age childcare in Scotland, including information on Scottish Social Services Council, Care Inspectorate and PVG Scheme

SSSC

Regulation of the out of school care workforce

Care Inspectorate

Regulation and inspection of out of school care services

PVG Scheme

Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme<

BLOG

Thought and opinions from SOSCN staff and other colleagues

2023

June

Limited or Lack of Local School Age Childcare

This survey addressed the issue of whether parents and carers have access to sufficient school age childcare to meet their needs

March

SOSCN's letter to First Minister Candidates

We have sent a letter to each of the three candidates for First Minister

January

Children's safeguarding at risk in unregulated out of school settings in England

The UK Government Department for Education published a report in November 2022 which has raised serious concerns about the safety and wellbeing of the millions of children in England who attend out of school settings

2022

December

Staying Safe and Professional Online as a Social Care Worker

November

Reconnecting - to care for others you need to care for yourself

Access to Childcare Fund - The Learning So Far

September

It's good to chat - SSSC Codes of Practice Conversation

Having a ball in the holidays

August

Superheroes are real- they work in school age childcare

March

A time for change- reflection on the 2021 OSC Workforce Survey Results

2021

August

Stories of Summer 2021

April

Scottish Parliament Election Manifesto Overview 2021

March

The longest year- a reflection

February

The Finnish way to a happier childhood - Putting Children First

2020

November

Reflections on the Week

September

Re-opening services - keeping your staff onside!

Low pay and limited hours are push and pull factors which create a churn in the Out of School Care Workforce

April

Reflections on our journey and the way ahead

March

Coronavirus Covid-19 Potential Impact on Out of School Care, Breakfast and Holiday Clubs

Coronavirus Covid-19 Information Update Monday 2nd March 2020

February

Promising Children - a brief overview of the Care Review

2019

November

OSC draft framework consultation- the time to have your say is now!

Working to live or struggling to get by? Why the Real Living Wage is important.

October

Welcome proposal for free holiday childcare

Giving Parents and Children a say in the Framework for Out of School Care

Out of School Care in Scotland Continues to Grow

April

Success for our STEM Champions in Out of School Care

OSC Workforce - Most Recent Scottish Social Services Council Statistics

Training Opportunities for Out of School Care services- a selection of what's available

March

Supporting OSC Across the Country

February

Recent International policy and research briefing for members February 2019

Equal play? Does your service support or challenge gender stereotypes and roles?

CHANGE Project and T.I.C.T.A.C.S. - low cost quality template test of change

2018

August

Animal Magic- animals in care settings and children in animal settings...

July

Top free foody activities you can do over the summer break

March

Out of School Care - believing that children matter

OSC A to Z

A comprehensive list of information about school age childcare

A - B

accessibility

Services should be as far as possible, accessible to all families and children in their community

accidents and emergencies

Every service will have accident and emergency procedures in place and a method of recording information on anything that happens to children while in the care of the service

additional support needs

Services should do their utmost to be inclusive of children with additional support needs, including children with sensory or physical disabilities, or with a range of learning difficulties

allergies

It is very important that services are informed of any allergies a child has as well as any medication they require

anti-bullying

Anti-bullying Policy Guidance

attainment

Children learn informally through good quality play and social interactions in out of school care

behaviour rules

In general SOSCN advocates a promoting positive behaviour approach which ensures children receive attention for good behaviour

Ch - Co

childcare tax credits

Parents and carers who work and pay for childcare may be able to get extra tax credits to help with childcare costs

childcare vouchers

Employee voucher schemes are being phased out except for those who have already joined.

child protection

As a parent or carer, volunteer or member of staff in a service, the need to ensure children are protected is fundamental

children's charter

Every Out of School Care Service should have its own Children's Charter

children's participation - UNCRC

Links for UNCRC

codes of conduct

All staff members employed in out of school care have to be registered with the SSSC, unless they are already registered with another equivalent regulatory body

consent

Services must seek parental/carer consent for children to have their photographs taken and to clearly state what these purposes may be used for

Co - G

contracts, costs, fees and cancellations

It often comes as a surprise to many parents that their local out of school service or holiday care service is not a statutory service run by their local council

creativity

Creativity and opportunities for self-expression are key

Data Protection

The Data Protection Act controls how your personal information is used. Everyone has to follow rules called data protection principles

equality and diversity

Parents, children and staff involved in an out of school care service should expect that the service has a clear equality policy and is inclusive of local communities

First-Aid Training

The Care Inspectorate and the SSSC require that staff are appropriately trained to do their role

food choices

Information on the Health and Social Care Standards and food

Getting it Right

Links for GIRFEC

H - J

health and safety and insurance

Information on infection control; safety of equipment and food preparation, transport and escorting children to and from school, or on outings

homework

Out of school care is not a homework club or extracurricular club, provided by the school

illness, infection and medication

Information on illness, medication and more

Induction

All new children attending an out of school care service should be supported in their transition into the service

introduction

Jargon Buster

Find out what the terms mean

Just A...

Childcare workers are carers, role models, teachers, counsellors and many other roles, who will consistently support children and families over a number of years

K - Pa

Kids' Club

This term is more often used in England and Wales to describe an out of school care or after school or holiday club

Learning

Children learn in after school care through a wide range of physical activities indoors and outdoors, mental challenges and creative experiences

Lone Parents

Lone parents are often those who are most in need of out of school care, especially if they are living and working away from family network

Moving and Handling

Every service, especially those including children with disabilities, will have a policy on moving and handling children

Nature

A good quality service will give children daily access to natural pursuits, including exploring outdoors and growing plants amongst other activities

Outdoor Play

The benefits of outdoor play are recognised but there is a concern that today's children are becoming more accustomed to indoor activities rather than playing out

parental rights and involvement

Information for parents and carers about rights and getting involved

Pe - T

Personal Plans

Services are legally required to keep up-to-date records of children in their care which must be reviewed on a 6-monthly basis

Play

Article 31 of the UNCRC states that children have a right to culture, leisure, rest and play- play is a fundamental right for children

play and risk

Parents and the professional play and care staff in out of school care have to get the balance right for children and young people in terms of play and risk

Quality in OSC

Ensuring ongoing quality experiences should be at the heart of all services and embedded in all aspects of the service from delivery to administration

Risk and Challenge

Information for taking a positive approach to risk in order to achieve the best outcomes for children

social media and mobile phones

OSC services should have a comprehensive social media policy

trips and outings

Things to consider for trips and outings

U - Z

United Nations

Links for the United Nations

volunteers

Information on volunteering in services

workforce

Workforce considerations

X-Boxes and Screens

There is growing concern in academia and the media about the negative impact pro-longed screen time can have on children and young people

Young Adults

Services can provide care for young people up to age 16 or even 18, if they have a disability, although the majority of services provide care for children attending primary school

Zero Tolerance

Zero Tolerance is acharity working to end men's violence against women by promoting gender equality and challenging attitudes which normalise violence and abuse