Chief Executive Officer

ICT Manager

Policy and Member Services Manager

I came in to the childcare sector later in life having had a career as an architectural photographer for about 20 years. When my children started attending after school care I joined the parent committee and was tasked with updating all the policies and procedures and that was when I discovered SOSCN. It was a lifeline in helping me manoeuvre my way through the endless policies and legislation. A few years later I changed career and worked my way up to become Manager of the service in 2002. A few years after that, having attended all the SOSCN training and events I could find I was asked to join the SOSCN Board and was very happy to do so in an attempt to give back to the organisation all that I had gleaned over the years. I am still learning!

I have worked in play and childcare services for over 20 years, most recently focusing on outdoor play and children's connection to nature. I joined the board of SOSCN because we are entering a period of change and opportunity in School Age Childcare in Scotland I am excited to play a role in that. I want to support the organisation and its members to respond to the change and enable children and young people across Scotland to be able to access a service which meets their hopes and dreams.

I am a lecturer in Childhood Practice at the University of Glasgow. Prior to joining the University, I worked as a Policy Manager for the Scottish Government, spending time in the Early Learning and Childcare, and Mental Health Directorates developing and delivering government policy commitments. I have considerable experience delivering professional learning services to early years, education, and out-of-school care practitioners with a specific focus on high-quality practice, family support and leadership. Earlier in my career, working across a variety of early years and school age childcare services, I supported the development and management of projects to deliver improved outcomes for children and families. Current research interests include high quality school age childcare, mentoring, screen education, and early-career leadership development. I am delighted to be able to take an active role on the board of SOSCN. The role of school age childcare as part of our national infrastructure has long been underestimated and I am keen to support SOSCN’s work in ensuring the voices of children, parents and practitioners are promoted, the professionalism of leaders and practitioners recognised, and that SOSCN as the key representative body is front and centre leading the development of the sector.

I started with North Ayrshire Council in 2006 as a relief playworker whilst I was a student studying social sciences. I progressed through to children's services officer looking after breakfast clubs and out of school cares, completing my SVQ Level 4 in Playwork. I then moved over to the private sector continuing to work in school age childcare. During this time I continued to work with North Ayrshire within youth services, running youth groups and supporting opportunities for young people aged between 12 and 19 years.

I have continued to work in NAC in various different roles supporting communities and families, whilst at all times being a playworker at heart. I am currently in the role of Childcare Development Officer (School aged and rural) where I support school aged childcare providers though our local network and work to support the sustainability of the sector. I am also currently a chairing panel member with Children's Hearing Scotland, a voluntary role I have been in for the past 10 years. This can be a challenging role however also rewarding knowing that I help make decisions in the best interests of the children that I meet.

I am the Head of School Aged Services at The Indigo Childcare Group, leading Family Support, School Aged Childcare and Flexible Services. I have wide‑ranging experience across Scottish childcare, youth work and community development settings, with a strong focus on outstanding quality, inclusive and innovative practice.

I hold a BA in Youth Work from Edinburgh Napier University and a PDA in Leadership and Management (Childhood Practice). I am passionate about children and young people's rights and ensuring their voices shape the design and delivery of services. Supporting the development of the school age childcare workforce, and strengthening the recognition of the sector is central to my approach.

As a member of the Scottish Government's School Age Childcare Strategic Planning Group, I am committed to advancing Scotland's national ambitions for a school age childcare system that is affordable, accessible and rooted in children's rights. I am proud to contribute to work that tackles child poverty, strengthens family wellbeing, and enables parents and carers to access work, training and study, while ensuring that children and young people's voices and community needs remain central to the design of future services. Joining the Board of SOSCN allows me to further champion these priorities and support the development of high‑quality services across Scotland that support children and young people to thrive.

Lesley Compston is the co-founder of KLAS Care C.i.C and works as the lead practitioner for all the services that KLAS Care provides.

Lesley brings to the SOSCN board her passion for providing high quality professionally driven school-age childcare since 2004, along with her connections to many local and national organisations across Renfrewshire and Scotland. She is respected within the sector and provides a source of information and networking opportunities across the child care and social enterprise world.

Lesley is the “L” of KLAS Care and the “K” is Kirsty, Kirsty works the back office and Lesley handles the front of house as this arrangement suits both their personalities and skill sets.

While Lesley loves her work she finds time to run and work out at the gym. She maintains this is where she has had her greatest ideas and has written many business plans in her head while out running. Her children, Lewis and Beth and her dog are her greatest loves and she is forever grateful for the support and encouragement from her husband of 30 years.

Lesley's aim is to support the team working hard to keep school-age childcare at the top of the agenda in every council area and the Scottish Government.