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.
newsletters
2024
December
Dec 2024
June
Jun 2024
March
Mar 2024
2023
December
Dec 2023
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
November 2019

Out of School Care in Scotland. A Draft Framework 2019 - SOSCN's Response

Thanks to all who participated in our regional consultation events over the past few weeks.

SOSCN has now submitted its response, you can download a copy of this here.

The consultation closes on 6th December. It is important to have your say if you have not done so already. You can do this here: https://consult.gov.scot/children-and-families/out-of-school-care/

Care Inspectorate Draft Quality Framework consultation

This is the Care Inspectorate survey questions on their draft quality framework for early learning and childcare services (Daycare of children, childminding and out of school care)

Respond to the consultation here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZBBFGZY

There is still time to have your say. The consultation closes 6th December.

You can find the draft quality framework here.

You can download a copy of SOSCN's response here.

SOSCN National Conference, March 2020

image for celebrating osc in scotland eventbrite
Join us for a celebration of Out of School Care, featuring a range of keynote speakers, video presentations and workshops, as well as an opening address from Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Children and Young People.
Tickets

To book tickets please see this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrating-out-of-school-care-in-scotland-tickets-81720617567

We are delighted to announce our national conference for 2020 - 'Celebrating Out of School Care in Scotland'.

Date and Time

Monday 23rd March 2020

10:00am – 3:00pm (registration and refreshments from 9:30am. Buffet lunch provided before afternoon session)

Location

Hilton Glasgow
1 William Street
G3 8ST
www.hilton.com/glasgow

Accommodation Discount

Participants to the event are entitled to a 20% discount on the hotel's 'Best Available Bed and Breakfast Rate' for the night (22nd March) before the event. Rates are discounted on the best available rate; therefore rates will fluctuate dependant on demand. A weblinkto obtain this offer will be provided on booking.

How to book

Tickets to the event are for sale at Eventbrite.com for £65 (including booking fee) and are on a first-come first-served basis.You can purchase tickets at this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrating-out-of-school-care-in-scotland-tickets-81720617567

Refunds are not available; however, delegates can be substituted prior to the event.

We want to celebrate the many examples of good practice in our sector so early in the year will be going out to innovative services to make short filmed interviews with service staff, children and parents, let us know if you want to be part of this or have shortvideos yourself you could contribute.

Manifesto for Out of School Care in Scotland - 2019

image for manifesto 2019 newsletter
#isupportOSC

The Scottish Out of School Care Network (SOSCN) believes that out of school care in Scotland requires greater recognition from all political parties in terms of the vital role out of school care plays in supporting school-age children's development and positive outcomes for families. We would ask that all political parties sign-up to the following:

1. Ensure that out of school care services such as breakfast clubs, after school care clubs and holiday childcare services are supported financially and by “in kind” support such as free or low- cost lets and secure tenancy agreements within local authority premises.

2. Ensure the inclusion of out of school care services within national policy and local community planning to ensure the best possible wellbeing outcomes for children and families.

3. Through increased resources, enable wider access during term-time and holidays to out of school care services across Scotland for children in need, especially children with disabilities and families in poverty.

4. Support the maintenance and where required, further development, of the current level of out of school care provision in Scotland- out of school care services are key to parents and carers of school-age children either remaining in, or accessing, employment and education opportunities.

5. Ensure ongoing financial commitment to support the continued development of the out of school care workforce including funding to pay for required qualifications and essential training.

6. Include the out of school care workforce within the Scottish Government's commitment to provide additional financial resources ensuring early learning and childcare staff are paid the living wage as a minimum.

7. Continued, and increased, support for families (especially those working and in poverty) through childcare vouchers and tax credits operated by the UK government.

Download a copy of the manifesto here: https://soscn.org/downloads/news/manifesto_for_osc_in_scotland_2019.pdf

Activity and Wellbeing: First Steps Training (for staff), Glasgow, 4th Dec 2019

Training Overview

This training looks at barriers to physical activity, how these can be overcome and the importance of being active for supporting the healthy development of children.

Participants will be taken through the British Heart Foundation Active Pack, Set 4 Sport and British Heart Foundation: Early Movers resource which can be used actively in your service, all resources have been designed to be delivered with limited equipment and no prior knowledge or expertise in delivering physically activity. The trainer will support participants by talking them through the packs and demonstrating some of the activities (second hour).

This training will last for a total of 2 hours and will consist of an hour long information session covering many topics such as, Children's Rights, the Wellbeing Wheel (specifically related to services), benefits of physical activity (children & adults), books and activity resources. A practical workshop will then take place involving physical activity participation of moderate intensity. Participants do not need any prior experience or skills and the activities are suitable for different ages and levels of fitness and all equipment will be supplied.

Date, Time and Venue

Evening of Wednesday 4th December, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Albany Centre, Glasgow

Cost

£40 per person

Booking Information

Please complete a booking form and return this to training@soscn.org

Booking Form (.doc): Download

Booking Form (.pdf): Download

Please return completed booking forms to training@soscn.org

Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) & the SHANARRI Wellbeing Indicators in Practice

Places remaining at our Edinburgh session.
Training Venue, dates and times
  • Edinburgh - Thursday 12th December, 10am - 12pm, Central Methodist Church
Cost

£40 Per Person

Booking

Please complete a booking form and return this to training@soscn.org

Information and Booking Form (.doc): Download

Information and Booking Form (.pdf): Download

Please return completed booking forms to training@soscn.org

Sorry if you were unable to get a place on the recent sessions. Look out for more next year.

Recent Articles on the SOSCN Blog

WORKING TO LIVE OR STRUGGLING TO GET BY? WHY THE REAL LIVING WAGE IS IMPORTANT

OSC DRAFT FRAMEWORK CONSULTATION- THE TIME TO HAVE YOUR SAY IS NOW!

Pensions
SOSCN Professional Development Book Club - First Book
Social Care: Independent Review of Inspection, Scrutiny and Regulation in Scotland - call for evidence
Communication and Engagement with Parents and Carers
National Outcomes Review 2023
Inquiry into Child Poverty and Parental Employment
Adverse Weather and Extreme Temperature
Dec 2023
A Quality Framework for Early Learning and Childcare, School Aged Childcare and Childminding Services
Mar 2024