SOSCN NEWS

WE NEED YOUR HELP- LOOKING FOR PRACTICE EXAMPLES

The Care Inspectorate's 'Our Creative Journey' in-development publication requires examples of services which support children's creativity through expressive arts. How do you support creativity within out of school care services? Let us know. (The focus will primarily be on the processes rather than on the end-product.)

ABOUT 'OUR CREATIVE JOURNEY'

The Care Inspectorate is developing a new publication 'Our Creative Journey' in partnership with a variety of organisations including SOSCN.

The publication is intended to promote the value of creativity for children attending registered early learning and childcare, with a particular focus on expressive arts. By highlighting specific examples of how children have benefitted from experiencing expressive arts, we hope that this will be a useful resource for practitioners and act as a catalyst for the improvement of services. It is intended to be one of a series of resources promoting creative play and learning.

'Our Creative Journey' develops the same model as the Care Inspectorate's recent resource, 'My World Outdoors', which shares and celebrates the benefits of outdoor play for children. Rather than issuing expert guidance in the traditional style of a remote statutory regulator, the Care Inspectorate is working with early learning and childcare partners to enable practitioners to tell their own stories of how they are having a positive impact on children's lives. For this resource, the Care Inspectorate also want to develop this model further by focusing more on individual children and involving them and their families directly in narrating their experience. Like 'My World Outdoors', the resource will be structured using the GIRFEC Wellbeing Indicators of Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Respected, Responsible and Included. Each practice example will illustrate one or more of these SHANARRI indicators and will show how expressive arts can positively impact on children's outcomes. It is hoped that the resource can convey the transformative potential when children are encouraged to play using expressive arts in a way that stimulates their curiosity and imagination. With this in mind, we are asking services to focus more on the creative process rather than the end product in the form of a performance or artwork.

This resource is intended to be both practical and inspiring for the greatest number of people and we are looking for stories from the length and breadth of Scotland, including rural as well as urban settings and deprived as well as affluent communities. The Care Inspectorate also want to select examples that reflect the wide age range of children attending registered services, from babies through to secondary school age children, and the different needs and backgrounds of children using care. So that the resource is as applicable as possible, we are looking for examples from all types of registered services and providers from the private, voluntary and statutory sectors. This includes childminding, private nurseries and out of school care, as well as local authority nurseries. We want to include experiences that can be practically applied on the ground by practitioners in a range of settings and not just feature services graded as 'outstanding'. We are also intending to include examples from non-registered provision such as voluntary organisations supporting children and parents through expressive arts and social work services working with children and young people.

The Care Inspectorate intend to publish Our Creative Journey as a printable resource in September 2017, but it will also be a live resource with practice examples regularly updated on the HUB pages of the Care Inspectorate's website.

We are looking for practice examples that convey the child's experience in the most direct, inspiring and engaging way. Therefore we are not proposing one prescriptive format for presenting each practice example and we are open to them modelling creativity, outcomes and co-production in how they are produced. Although we want all the wellbeing indicators and different service types to be covered, we do not have in mind a set number of examples or how in-depth they should be. Some examples can be very brief vignettes and others more in-depth, but we want them all to capture the reader's imagination in a similar way to how the children's imaginations were captured in the first place!

If you have something to share please email info@soscn.org

STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, and MATHEMATICS) CHAMPIONS IN OUT OF SCHOOL CARE

Watch out for information on how to take part in the coming months as we develop this project:

STEM Champions in Out of School Care - play with a purpose

The Scottish Government Children, Young People and Families, Early Intervention project fund: SOSCN has a two year grant from this fund to pilot the STEM project from April 2017 to March 2019.

The STEM Champions project will enable up to 60 selected staff to help children in out of school care to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by digital technology in order to raise attainment, ambition and opportunities. This pilot innovative project is particularly aimed at closing the attainment gap in terms of disadvantage and gender.

It sets out to:

• Develop the skills and confidence of staff
• Improve access to digital technology for learners in out of school care
• Ensure that digital technology is a central consideration in out of school care pilots
• Empower leaders of change; STEM Champions, to drive innovation, partnership and investment in digital technology for out of school care
• Measure the impact of improved staff skills and confidence
• Measure the impact on children's skills, confidence and attainment in STEM
• Share the learning from this pilot to scale up the project and partnerships developed

WORKFORCE SURVEY RESULTS

The Out of School Care Workforce survey results have been analysed and you can access the full report on our website. Thanks to everybody that took part in the survey, there was a fantastic response and the results help us greatly when promoting out of school care issues at a local and national policy level.

Access the report here: OSC Workforce Survey 2016 Report

RAISING THE PROFILE OF OUT OF SCHOOL CARE CONSULTATION EVENTS

Thanks to all who attended one of our Raising the Profile consultation events - a total of 175 people attended from 111 different organisations from 22 local authorities.

This series of events ran from November 2016 to February 2017 and were held in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. As well as looking at a national policy for out of school care with partners from the Scottish Government, delegates also heard first hand updates from the SSSC on their new safer recruitment guidance and codes of practice, and also from the Care Inspectorate looking at the new care standards, as well as the Hub online resource.

In response to questions directed to the Care Inspectorate, we have been informed that there will be a break in self-assessments for 2017/18 and providers won't have to do one. And from 2018, the self-assessments will be linked to the new National Care Standards.

If you would like to access any of the presentations from the day, please see the following links:
https://soscn.org/downloads/presentation/edinburgh/designprinciplespresentation.pdf
https://soscn.org/downloads/presentation/edinburgh/SSSC.pdf
https://soscn.org/downloads/presentation/edinburgh/RH_CI.pdf

TRAINING

PUTTING THE SHANARRI WELLBEING INDICATORS INTO PRACTICE - FREE TRAINING

Wellbeing and the associated SHANARRI (safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, respected, responsible, included) indicators are central to the Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) approach.

Aims of the training session:

By the end of the session participants will have a clear understanding of what wellbeing is and how they can achieve better outcomes for the children in their care using reflexive practice based upon the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators.

Course descriptor:

This training session will look at how to successfully implement the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators within daily out of school care practice, and how to evidence this, including the creation of children's personal development plans. We shall look at each wellbeing indicator and what this means in terms of developing good practice, how this relates to the UNCRC and also signpost to additional resources.

Practical Information:

The sessions last 2 - 2.5 hours and are suitable for a maximum of 20 participants and a minimum of 5 services. Please note that this training is not designed to train whole (or nearly entire) staff teams unless the service operates a minimum of 5 services. SOSCN can deliver the training for free but interested individuals will need to organise the venue and bookings for other services. This is ideal for local out of school care networks or groups of local out of school care services which would like to undertake collective training.

Please note:

This takes elements from our previous GIRFEC course however the SHANARRI discussion in relation to practice is expanded and includes new material. If you have previously undertaken out GIRFEC training this session will provide you with a reminder but additionally give you new materials and suggestions.

Booking:

If you are interested in booking a session, then please email info@soscn.org

ACTIVITY AND WELLBEING | THE NEXT STEPS - FREE TRAINING

The Scottish out of School Care Network is currently taking bookings for FREE Activity & Wellbeing: the next Steps training to out of School Care Services across Scotland. The training follows on from the Activity & Wellbeing: the first steps training and allows staff to further develop their knowledge and experiences on physical activity. The training uses Education Scotland's Physical Activity resources Better Movers and Thinkers which is designed to develop the ability of all children and young people to move and think in a more cohesive way i.e. memory, planning and goal-directed behaviour. The training also uses Education Scotland's Significant Aspects of Learning which promotes the development of activities to challenge children and promote inclusion.

The training reinforces the experiences and outcomes children and young people should be introduced to whilst being active, for example participating in a wide range of activities which promote a healthy lifestyle, develop self-awareness and respect for others.

Staff members who have already taken part in the first step training are welcome to return and further develop their knowledge using BMT (Better Movers and Thinkers) and Significant Aspects of Learning. In order to attend the next steps training staff do not have to have attended the first steps training.

During the training staff will have the opportunity to experience the theory behind both resources through discussion and practical group activities. This will be an invaluable experience to staff in enhancing knowledge and understanding of the theory behind wellbeing and play activities within their service.

Booking:

If you are interested in booking a session, please email Greig Cavanagh ( greig.cavanagh@soscn.org ) to request a booking form.

ACHIEVING QUALITY SCOTLAND

ACHIEVING QUALITY SCOTLAND UPDATE

We have been delighted to award 3 more services their Achieving Quality Scotland award. All services demonstrated high levels of quality across their practice.

• Caring Operations Join Action Council (COJAC) was awarded a GOLD star award
• Rising Start Nethan Street (JBG) was awarded a SILVER star award
• Rising Stars Orr Street (JBG) received a standard award

These are fantastic achievements and we wish to thank all the staff and everyone else involved for their hard work.

We now have over 75 out of school care services registered for AQS over 15 local authority areas. If you are interested in finding out more, then please get in touch.

NATIONAL NEWS

WINNING BABY BOX DESIGN

Graphic Design student Leanne Young from Edinburgh has won the competition to come up with a design for Scotland's Baby Box.

Scotland's baby boxes, an initiative inspired by the Finnish baby boxes, will be given to all babies born in Scotland and will feature a forest fairy tale scene complete with Highland cows, squirrels and the Loch Ness Monster.

You can find out more here: http://news.gov.scot/news/winning-baby-box-design

PARLIAMENT TO NOMINATE BRUCE ADAMSON AS NEW CHILDREN'S COMMISSIONER

The Scottish Parliament will this week be invited to nominate Bruce Adamson to Her Majesty the Queen for appointment as the new Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland.

Bruce is set to succeed Tam Baillie, who leaves the position on 17 May 2017. A motion to agree his appointment will be considered by the Parliament on Tuesday 14 March.

Find out more here: https://www.cypcs.org.uk/news/in-the-news/parliament-to-nominate-bruce-adamson-as-new-childrens-commissioner

A CHANGE IN THE LAW ON CAR SEATS

Government has recently changed the law on car seats. The changes now means that manufacturers can no longer produce backless booster seats for children under 125cm, or weighing less than 22kg.

Existing booster seats and cushions are not affected by new rules, so any that you have already will still be legal. There are many exceptions when a child is able to travel without a booster seat, such as when minibus operators do not provide them, however, if you have any concerns about when to provide booster seats, we recommend contacting your care inspectorate officer. You can find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/using-a-child-car-seat-or-booster-seat

VIDEO AND DVD SCREENING LICENCE INFORMATION

A few of our members have been enquiring about showing DVDs. Information on licence requirements for showing video and DVDs in Out of School Care can be accessed here:
Video Licences

YEAR OF YOUNG PEOPLE 2018

Year of Young People 2018 is an opportunity to celebrate the amazing young personalities, talents, and achievers that make up Scotland. It's all about inspiring our nation through its young people's ideas, attitudes and ambitions.

This year long programme of events, activities and ideas will give young people in Scotland the opportunity to show the world what they're made of. Year of Young People 2018 is something everyone can support (young or young-at-heart) and be immensely proud of.

If you would like to get involved by organising an event, or even becoming an ambassador for YOYP2018, then please see this link: http://yoyp2018.scot/get-involved/

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

Growing Up in Scotland: Father-child relationships and child socio-emotional wellbeing

Monday, March 13, 2017
ISBN: 9781786528537

This report uses data from the Growing Up in Scotland longitudinal study to explore the quality of father-child relationships as perceived by children aged 10 years old, the factors predicting less positive father-child relationships, and how father-child relationships relate to other aspects of children's wellbeing.

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/03/5231

Drivers and Barriers to uptake of Early Learning and Childcare amongst 2 year olds

Tuesday, March 7, 2017
ISBN: 9781786527035

This report looks into drivers and barriers to uptake of Early Learning and Childcare amongst 2 year olds.

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/02/4813

POLICY AND UPDATES FOR SERVICES

NEW GUIDE ON BEING A CHARITY IN SCOTLAND

OSCR, the Scottish Charity Regulator, has unveiled a new booklet to make the basics of Scottish charity law easier to understand.

It sets out the key points charities need to know about Scottish charity law. Within the guide there are links to detailed guidance pages contained on the OSCR website and it also has information on other organisations that can provide help and advice to charities.

You can find download a copy of the guide here: Being a charity in Scotland

STEP INTO LEADERSHIP - BY THE SSSC

Whatever your role in social services, this website will help you find resources and information to develop your leadership skills. Step into Leadership is regularly updated with new resources and information sourced from existing websites including Social Services Knowledge Scotland (SSKS), the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services, and the Social Care Institute for Excellence. The website aims to bring leadership tools and resources together in one place to help develop effective leadership at all levels within the workforce.

Find out more here: http://www.stepintoleadership.info/about.html

NATIONAL LIVING WAGE AND NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES APRIL 2017

National Living Wage rises to £7.50 an hour on 1st April 2017. There are also increases to the minumum wage for workers under age 25.

• Year
• 25 and over
• 21 to 24
• 18 to 20
• Under 18
• Apprentice

• From April 2017
• £7.50
• £7.05
• £5.60
• £4.05
• £3.50

This is not to be confused with the offical Living Wage movement, livingwage.org.uk, which is independently-calculated each year based on what employees and their families need to live. The UK Living Wage, as set by the living wage fondation, currently sits at £8.45 an hour