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information
Impact Assessments
Factsheets
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
Physical Activity in OSC
Essential Guidance For School Age Childcare Services
Business Support
Play
funding
Financial Support to Parents
Wellbeing in OSC
management
regulation
SSSC
Care Inspectorate
PVG Scheme
Families
children's guide
parents' guide
UNCRC explained
what is OSC?
finding childcare
training
resilience and ACEs
heartstart training
more training
GIRFEC and SHANARRI
physical activity 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
our board
about
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
What's it Like in at and Outdoor Setting? WILD Wooldand Learning Visit
practice focus - experiences for older children
What's it Like at a Rural Setting? Muthill Kiddy Club
practice focus - Communication and Engagement with Parents and Carers
practice focus - personal plans
practice focus - health and safety
practice focus - snack time
What's it Like in at and Outdoor Setting? WILD Wooldand Learning Visit