Sunny Scotland: A Journey of Learning and Inspiration; fare the well my friends

NB: please see photos on the photo album page

Introduction:

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. - Oh, The Places You Will Go!

Sunny Scotland - the phrase might sound like an oxymoron, but during my recent Churchill Fellowship trip, it perfectly encapsulated the unexpected beauty and warmth I experienced. From the unexpected, beautiful sunny days and picturesque landscapes to the remarkable, warm, passionate and engaging people I met along the way, Scotland became a magical place where I explored key issues and discovered opportunities to make a difference in Australia. In this blog post, I want to share some of my encounters and insights. A lot fo the conversations often centred around our value bases and how we used them as our moral compass in our work, and leveraged our values to lead, direct and advocate for our communities.

Progressive Thinking in OSHC:

One of the highlights of my journey was the opportunity to meet Kate Smith, a passionate leader in the Scottish Government - leadng the Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) section. The Scottish Government's progressive approach to OSHC is commendable, as they strive to meet the needs of children through contemporary and forward-thinking strategies, considering all contexts and settings. While the OSHC model in Scotland leans towards a user pays system, it primarily consists of not-for-profit organisations, councils, and schools. The government is actively engaged in understanding children's needs and experiences, exemplified by the development of the children's charter and their exploration of funding and subsidies for vulnerable children in deprived communities. Scotland's OSHC system extends beyond traditional settings and encompasses Family Day Care and other environments, with ongoing discussions about qualifications to suit different contexts. What truly stood out to me was the emphasis placed on leadership in the sector, from government-level decision-making and theoretical frameworks to building leadership at a local level for service management and practical implementation, leadership was central to all discussions. Leadership, play and being child-led were the most prominent themes.

Quality Care in Rural Communities:

During my travels, I had the privilege of meeting Jaci Douglas, CEO of Care and Learning Alliance, who shed light on the challenges faced by rural and remote communities in providing quality OSHC services. Jaci eloquently articulated the interdependencies of quality care, considering factors such as the needs of children and their families, hidden poverty in rural areas, community dynamics, and the expectations and guidelines surrounding OSHC. A visit to the rural town of Culbokie provided a firsthand glimpse of a dedicated OSHC service run by Lauren, who had been serving the community for an impressive ten years. I witnessed a group of children from different schools engaged in meaningful interactions, displaying a strong connection not only with each other but also with their leader. Lauren's approach emphasized child-led experiences, resulting in the children renaming their service as a "fun club" and even developing their own logo. While staffing remained a significant challenge, the genuine care and commitment demonstrated by Lauren were instrumental in creating a safe and enjoyable environment for the children.

Community Context and Interconnectivity:

Jaci Douglas emphasised the importance of considering the unique shape and size of each community when designing OSHC services. In particular, she drew attention to the impact of tourism, such as the NC500, on rural areas. While some individuals may purchase houses in these regions, they often fail to contribute significantly to the local economy. Jaci's perspective on OSHC, early learning, and aged care - that they should be regarded as community infrastructure resonated deeply with me. She advocates for a qualification that allows professionals to work across different care settings, recognising that the first four modules of care training are the same for each qualification. By enabling staff to provide services across the community, economies can be strengthened, and individuals can build skills in both early learning and aged care. Jaci's collaboration with Highlands and Islands University exemplifies her commitment to building a robust workforce and tailoring care services to suit regional and rural contexts. Her thoughtful, respectful, and engaged approach ensures that communities' unique needs are met, ultimately contributing to their success and well-being.

Conclusion:

My journey through sunny Scotland was nothing short of transformative. The people I encountered, the conversations I had, and the places I visited left an indelible mark on my perspective. I met warm, engaged and committed individuals, I met philosophically aligned and passionate professionals. Scotland's progressive thinking in the OSHC sector, coupled with its dedication to play as the centre of social policy and innovative thinking about quality care in rural communities, serves as an inspiration for making a difference in Australia.

You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go. - Oh, The Places You Will Go!

Iceland is next