about

Who We Are

The Scottish Out of School Care Network (SOSCN) is a Scottish registered charity (SC020520), established in 1991 and is the national infrastructure umbrella organisation providing support, mentoring, training, information and resources to the nearly 1,000 school-aged childcare services in Scotland, which provide childcare, play and learning to over 50,000 children.

All of our work is underpinned by a commitment to supporting and promoting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), in particular Articles 31; the right to culture leisure, rest and play; Article 12, the right to consultation and Article 18; states parties to develop appropriate services to support families, including assistance with childcare for working parents. We also have a particular focus on children in need or on poverty (Article 22) and support the provision of care for children with disabilities (article 23).

We are also committed to promoting and delivering the outcomes of Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) and the Playwork Principles.

We also engage strategically at national and local levels to assist in the development and delivery of policies relating to childcare, children's rights and family support.

Our Structure

The Scottish Out of School Care Network is a Company Limited by Guarantee with charitable status (Scottish charity number: SC020520), and has an annually elected board of directors.

Our vision

For all children in Scotland, to have access to high quality play, care and learning opportunities which meet their individual needs, before and after school, and all day during school holidays.

For all children in Scotland to have their rights fulfilled according to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Our work

The Scottish Out of School Care Network works to promote and support the development and maintenance of high quality school-aged childcare in Scotland before and after school during term-time, and all day during school holidays.

Our Services

We provide information and guidance to OSC services, staff, management, parents and children. We deliver Achieving Quality Scotland (AQS), SOSCN's Quality Improvement Framework, as well as a variety of training session to raise and maintain standards within services. We have a range of publications and also host events across Scotland.

Staff

  • Irene Audain MBE, Chief Executive
  • Andrew Shoolbread, Policy and Research Manager
  • Finlay Wright, Information Officer
  • Greig Cavanagh, Physical Activity Coordinator
  • Patrick Morrison, Practice and Training Officer
  • Anne-Marie Mackin (freelance AQS assessor)

SOSCN Policies

Annual Reviews

last updated: 27/09/2023