About Us
Who We Are
We are a network of 30 residential child care and education organisations, including secure care accommodation – working out with Local Authorities – that provide care and education for some of the most vulnerable children and young people in Scotland.
Our services make an important and significant contribution to the care and learning of Scotland’s vulnerable children and young people that include those with social emotional needs, a wide range of neurodiverse challenges and sensory needs. Our unique organisations sit at the heart of specialist services for children and young people and can make a real and long-term difference to their lives.
- We believe that residential child care and education can be ‘the first and best placement of choice for those children who need it ’
- We believe we can provide ‘The Right Help at the Right time in the Right place’
- We are committed to keeping ‘The Promise ’ contained within the Independent Care review.
Our network originated in the 1990’s as the Association of Residential Schools in Scotland. It subsequently changed its name in 2007 to convey its key aim which is to provide high quality education through delivering the best possible care and vice versa. EtCS is managed by representatives from 8 services who are elected on an annual basis, along with an administrator who ensures effective communication across the network at all times. Our annual conference – open to non members- and our regular virtual meetings enable us to highlight and share effective practice and ensure the sector takes account of all new national initiatives and discuss ongoing challenges such as the national commissioning framework.
Our services have changed in recent years. No longer are our children and young people housed in large Victorian buildings or do they attend education in that same environment. Young people live with only a few peers in welcoming attractive houses, supported by well trained care staff. Learning takes place in either the service’s own school or learning centre that is separate from the homes, or they attend a local mainstream school.
Some of our young people attend our schools or learning centres on a daily basis.
The status of our services varies and includes:
- Independent care and education services that are owned and managed by individuals or by large national organisations;
- Charity run care and education organisations;
- Secure Care Accommodation services run by four independently run charitable organisations and one City Council;
- Grant Aided (special) Schools (GAS) which are independent of local authorities but are supported financially by the Scottish Government.
OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Meet the key members of our team.
Win Wood
ETCS Coordinator / Administrator
Francis Scott
Director of Services
St Philips Residential Care and Educational Services
Mary Geaney
Chief Executive Officer
Rossie Young People's Trust
David Noble
Head of Education
Hillside School
Stephen Drysdale
Director of Children's Services
Moore House Group
Stuart Provan
Chief Executive
Seamab Care and Education
Kieron O’Brien
Executive Director
Eastpark
Neil Squires
Chief Executive
Harmeny Education Trust
What We Do
We provide high quality care and/or education to children and young people whose support in their family home or school has not met their needs because of a range of challenges.
How are Children and Young People placed in our services?
Referrals to our residential and care service and day education services are made through Local Authorities, but Local Authority representatives and/or parents and carers may visit the service prior to a placement being agreed.