/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters - in-path
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/soscn-newsletter-dec-2024.pdf -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/soscn-newsletter-jun-2024 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/soscn-newsletter-mar-2024 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/soscn-newsletter-dec-2023 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/soscn-newsletter-jun-2023 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2023-05-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2023-01-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2022-11-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2022-09-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2022-06-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2022-04-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2022-01-20 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2021-11-11 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2021-10-20 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2021-04-27 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2021-03-22 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2020-12-07 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2020-07-15 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2020-05-29 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2020-05-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2020-01-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2019-12-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2019-11-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2019-10-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2019-09-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2019-08-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2019-04-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2019-02-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2018-12-01 - in-path on-path
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2018-09-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2018-04-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2017-12-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2017-10-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2017-06-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2017-03-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2016-10-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2016-03-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2016-02-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2016-01-01 -
/newsletters/2018-12-01 - /newsletters/2015-12-01 -
This site requires JavaScript to be fully operational. Please activate JavaScript in your browser to access.
This site does not work in your browser, please update your browser to access.
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
December 2018
image for XMAS 2018

SOSCN NEWS

Shaping the Framework - Places Remaining in Dundee and Inverness

image for shaping the framework page image

Our Shaping the Framework events have been a great success so far and we look forward to meeting colleagues at the remaining events next year. We still have places remaining at out Dundee and Inverness events:

Tuesday 26th February 2019, Dundee (Apex Hotel)

Wednesday 6th March 2019, Inverness (Craigmonie Hotel)

For further information, including a booking form, please see this link: https://soscn.org/participate/shaping-the-framework

Workforce Survey 2018

image for we need your help img

We have had a good response to our workforce survey but WE NEED MORE. The more responses we have the more accurate and representative the results are.

It takes a maximum of 5 minutes to complete and it can be accessed online: HTTPS://FREEONLINESURVEYS.COM/S/S9RBW7W0

SOSCN and West College Scotland Creative Computing STEM Training win award

image for STEM kit

Our STEM Project 'Creative Computing' has won a 'Commended' Digital Learning Award at the College Development Network Awards 2018.

A huge thanks to Dr Amanda Ford and West College Scotland for making this course possible; to all the out of school care staff who have participated, and to all those who are currently participating on the training.

This is making a real impact on the children and young people who are learning and developing through the new skills gained by the staff.

Fantastic partnership work everyone! We are very pleased.

Creative Computing Aberdeen

image for STEM ABERDEEN COLLAGE

Our Creative Computing STEM course that has been running in Aberdeen finished last weekend. By all accounts it has gone very well and we are delighted with the progress that participants have been making. Students have been using all kinds of things to control their games including chocolate, jelly, fruit, sweets and even someone's glasses.

We hope you enjoyed the course and look forward to seeing all the evaluations.

SOSCN TRAINING

New Training Opportunity - Supporting Scotland to become ACE Aware

image for training_banner

Training Overview

Building Resilience to counteract Adverse Childhood Experiences- how out of school care services can support children in their care.

Duration: 2 hours 30 mins

Objectives of training: 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 the film 'Resilience. The biology of stress and the science of hope.' (60mins) and provide opportunities for discussion as well as practical ideas to implement in out of school care services.

Session Details

Delivery of training: this training can be delivered to local out of school care networks, clusters of services or individual groups. The maximum number of participants is 20.

SOSCN cannot organise the training locally, so anyone interested in booking this training will be required to also organise the venue and booking of delegates.

Sessions can be delivered in the morning, evening or at weekends subject to availability.

Cost

Cost: SOSCN is committed to keeping costs for participants as low as possible however, in order to be able to deliver this project we are required to charge £200 per session (for a maximum of 20 delegates).

We do have an introductory offer where the first five bookings will receive a 50% discount so the cost will be £100.

Please note that there may be an additional travel charge depending on the distance required to travel- this will vary according to location.

Charge: £200

**Introductory offer: first 5 bookings- £100**

How to book

Booking and further information: contact Andrew info@soscn.org

New Training Opportunity - Heartstart

image for training banner

SOSCN is happy to start offering free British Heart Foundation Heartstart training to members.

Objectives of training

Participants will gain an awareness of how to handle the 5 most likely emergency situations, including CPR, Recovery Position, Serious Bleeding, Choking and Suspected Heart Attack.

The practical part of the training will include using a choking vest, a defibrillation training unit, as well as CPR models - both infant and baby size. Participants will also be shown video clips from the British Heart Foundation Heartstart programme.

Session Details

This training can be delivered to local out of school care networks, clusters of services or individual groups. The maximum number of participants is 20 and the minimum is 12.

The training requires a suitable space to give participants enough room to use the training models, as well as watch the video clips. It is not essential that you have the required IT equipment to show the DVD clips as SOSCN can provide these, however, for larger groups we would require somewhere to project onto; such as a screen or white wall.

The session lasts 2 hours and can be delivered in the evening, or at weekends, subject to availability. The trainer will require access to the training location 30 minutes prior to the session starting in order to set up.

Booking

If you are interested in having the Heartstart session delivered locally (single service or multiple services) then please contact Greig Cavanagh via email: greig.cavanagh@soscn.org or by phone: 0141 564 1284.

Bookings will be taken on a first come first served basis.

ACHIEVING QUALITY SCOTLAND

Awards Update

We have recently awarded Langside After School Care Club Association (LASCCA) in Glasgow their AQS award. The service was awarded a Gold standard award.

Congratulations and well done to everybody at the service, our AQS assessor said that it was one of the best portfolios that they had seen.

Glasgow Groups Submission

Well done to all the Glasgow groups (nearly 30) some of which have already completed and some of which are in the process of completing their AQS submissions.

This is a lot of hard work but we appreciate and recognise your commitment to providing quality out of school care services to children and families.

Assessment of portfolios is beginning but please note due to the high level of submissions all at once, and holidays, the turn-around time will be longer than the normal 6 weeks' maximum. The assessor will keep you informed of progress.

OTHER NEWS

The Poverty and Inequality Commission Advice for the Scottish Government on addressing poverty during school holidays

The Poverty and Inequality Commission has published its advice today for the Scottish Government on addressing poverty during school holidays.

The Poverty and Inequality Commission was asked by the Scottish Government to consider whether there were actions in Every Child, Every Chance: The Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2018-2022 that should be developed in tandem in order to maximise their effectiveness. In particular the Commission was asked to consider the role of local authorities, social enterprise and the third sector in providing after school and holiday care and responding to school holiday insecurity.

Find out more here: povertyinequality.scot

Scottish Governemnt OSC Policy Team Newsletter

image for Scot Gov Illustrations

In case you missed it, the Scottish Government's OSC Team's newsletter with updates about what is happening so far with the National OSC policy is available on our website: OSC Policy Update Newsletter

Photo (left) is of Illustrations done by the Eilidh Henry from the team.

The team have recently been at our Shaping the Framework events and we look forward to having them at the forthcoming events in Dundee, Edinburgh and Inverness happening next year. Further information about the events can be found here: https://soscn.org/participate/shaping-the-framework

Òganan Ghlaschu- Gaelic OSC in Glasgow

Earlier this year a film crew from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) came in to interview the staff at Òganan Ghlaschu (Glasgow's Gaelic OSC) about what it is like to work in Gaelic medium out of school care.

Watch the video here: myworldofwork.co.uk

National Living Wage Increases

Real Living Wage Increases to £9 an hour in Scotland.

SOSCN is proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer.

Find out more here: scottishlivingwage.org

CARE INSPECTORATE AND SSSC

Care Inspectorate Childcare Statistics 2017

Download a copy here: Early learning and childcare statistics 2017

Scottish Social Services Awards 2019

The awards are open to people who are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or who work for an organisation inspected by the Care Inspectorate.

Entries for the awards will open on 7 January 2019.

We hope to see some OSC services go for these awards.

Find out more here: www.sssa.scot/enter/

2024
December
Dec 2024
Winter edition with updates from Care Inspectorate, SSSC, Members Stories, and more
June
Jun 2024
Summer edition with information on holiday guidance, campaigning, activities ideas, and more features
March
Mar 2024
Spring edition highlighting our new shop and online training platform, with guest articles, essential updates, activities, and much more
2023
December
Dec 2023
Essential updates, information resources and much more
June
June 2023
May
May 2023
January
Jan 2023
2022
November
Nov 2022
August
Aug 2022
June
Jun 2022
April
Apr 2022
January
Jan 2022
2021
November
Nov 2021
October
Oct 2021
April
April 2021
March
March 2021
2020
December
December 2020
July
July 2020
May
May (End) 2020
May 2020
January
January 2020
2019
December
December 2019
November
November 2019
October
October 2019
September
September 2019
August
August 2019
April
April 2019
February
February 2019
2018
December
December 2018
September
September 2018
March
April 2018
2017
December
December 2017
October
October 2017
June
June 2017
March
March 2017
2016
October
October 2016
March
March 2016
February
February 2016
January
January 2016
2015
December
December 2015