Regional Links & Contacts

TDA CPD Database

The Training and Development Agency for Schools has developed a CPD database for the children's workforce in schools.  The intention for the database is that it becomes a one-stop-shop for those looking for CPD opportunities in their area.  We are looking for providers to register their course/qualification/training relevant to schools on the database.

Playday

Playday is the annual celebration of children's right to play.  Visit Playday website for a fantastic network of Playday event organisers and supporters to draw help from.  Post questions and share funding tips with other Playday event organisers.  Fundraising guidance, Support for Playday event organisers.  The theme for Playday 2009 is 'Make Time!'.

Kids

The latest National Inclusive Play Network E-bulletin is now available from pip@kids.org.uk.  Helping disabled children and young people aged 0-19 to get the most out of life.  Working closely with parents and carers to give children and young people all the support they need today to fulfil their hopes and dreams tomorrow.  Resources, training courses and publications including 'Inclusion by Design: A Guide to creating acccessible play and childcare environments' launched on 26 February, available from www.kids.org.uk.  Contact publications.ndd@kids.org.uk.

**Press Release**

KIDS Young People's Inclusion Network Launches Online Guidance - KIDS have launched the Young People's Inclusion Network (YP-in) online guidance.  The guidance is aimed at policy makers, local authority play pathfinders and playbuilders, practitioners and transition workers.  Licenses are now available to purchase and a special discount is currently available for play pathfinders, playbuilders and transition workers.  For further details contact carly.brown@kids.org.uk, tel. 020 7359 3073.

Playlink

Works with local authorities, organisations and groups that want to create the best possible play opportunities for children and young people.  Advice, information and services 'in the round'.

PlayAction OnLine

Latest edition of PlayAction OnLine.  For new contacts, this is the regular news serice from Fair Play for Children in the UK  We work to promote the Children's Right to Play.  Not because it's "cute" but because we believe in a world fit for all our children to play in.

Play England West Midlands

Support play opportunities for children and young people.  Shape the future of play in England.  Promote free, local, inclusive play for all children and young people.  Play England's West Midlands team have been in place since September 2006 to assist local authorities and their partners develop play strategies, a requirement for their application for funding from the Big Lottery Fund Children's Play programme.  Publications produced by Play England and latest edition of Play in the West Midlands Newsletter now available to download from Play England's  website.

Learn Direct

A nationally recognised brand for learning and largest e-learning network of its kind in the world.

National Children's Bureau

Latest edition of Play Abstracts and Play Conferences & Events now available to download.  The National Children's Bureau (NCB) is the only national charity that promotes the voices, interests and well-being of all children and young people, across every aspect of their lives. Whether it's health, education, living environments or issues of social welfare, NCB puts children and young people first.

West Midlands Regional Observatory

Latest E-bulletin now available to download.  WMRO provides a complete single point of access to data, information and intelligence about the West Midlands region.

The Children's Workforce Development Council

The CWDC exists to improve the lives of children, young people, their families and carers by ensuring that all people working with them have the best possible training, qualifications, support and advice.  It also helps children and young people's organisations and services to work together better so that the child is at the centre of all services.

Common Threads

Latest edition of Playwords, the unique independent magazine for everybody working in children's play, now available to dowload.  Common Threads support adults who work with children to improve the quality of children's play experiences - through training, publications and consultancy.

Also available:  New resources for National Playday * A2 cartoon posters * Two new titles in popular 'Buskers Guide' series.

Worcestershire Early Years and Childcare

News and information from Worcestershire County Council for early years and childcare providers in Worcestershire, latest edition of 'Childhood Matters' (formerly 'Playcare') publication now available to download.

Children's Play Information Service (CPIS)

Latest edition of Children's Play Update now available to download.

Birmingham Play Care Network

Swings and Roundabouts - latest edition now available to download.

UK Youth Parliament West Midlands (UKYP WM)

Aim to give the young people of the UK, between the age of 11 and 18 a voice, which will be heard and listened to by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies who have an interest in the views and needs of young people. UKYP has the support of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Leader of the Opposition David Cameron, and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg.  Andy Marlow of Youth Parliament for Birmingham is leading a campaign called See the Good Behind the Hood, which is one of three campaigns currently being run by the UK Youth Parliament in the West Midlands.  The aim is to promote positive images of young people in the media, as it is believed that young people are being misrepresented in the press.