Playwork

About the endorsement process

Endorsed courses are playwork training programmes that have been approved by the national endorsement panel made up of people involved in playwork; playworkers, play development workers, playwork employers and training providers. The panel looks at a training course and decides whether it meets nationally agreed criteria. Those which meet the criteria receive initial endorsement from SkillsActive. When the course has been completed by learners and the training provider has completed the evaluation process, course may gain full endorsement.

Training providers who wish to submit courses for endorsement need to sign up to the SkillsActive code of practice (click here for more information)

What kind of training can be endorsed?

Playwork training is for people who work or wish to work in playwork setting for children aged 4-16 years, including after school clubs, adventure playgrounds and holiday playschemes.

Playwork training can come in lots of different forms, including short courses, which lasts for a few hours to programmes which require a regular weekly commitment of a year or two. There is no maximum or minimum length of programme that can be endorsed.

Any level of playwork training can be endorsed, including introductory programmes, certified courses and modules within a higher education programme.  

Will there be a charge?

There is a fee of £260 for each endorsement submission.  This is made up of £100 as a non-refundable deposit and £160 paid before your completed submission goes to the panel to be considered.

You will also be asked to sign a management agreement with SkillsActive.

For more information about the submission process click here to submit your training programme for endorsement click here.