SkillsActive is delighted to be able to promote the Active IQ’s Skills Funding Agency (SFA) Innovation Code Information Events.
The events offer a fantastic chance for training providers to discuss opportunities for how you can utilise your Adult Skills Budget for provision of funded training right away.
The events will be held at:
The session will provide you with a valuable insight into how your organisation can meet local business or skills needs quickly. The events are ideal for colleges and training providers.
Representatives of the Skills Funding Agency will be attending to answer your questions.
Places are limited so book yours today by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday 31st May.
Please confirm at the time of emailing which location you would like to attend, your name, organisation and role.
These events are free to attend.
SkillsActive is proud to launch the pilot of the Register of Playwork Professionals.
The Register of Playwork Professionals has been developed by SkillsActive in partnership with employers, playworkers and representatives from key national organisations involved in the development, delivery and support for children’s play. The Register will ensure that standards within the Playwork industry are kept to a high level through annual Continued Professional Development (CPD) for all members.
Successful applicants during the pilot will be given membership for one year free of charge and, in addition, the first 100 members to sign up to the Register of Playwork Professionals will also receive one year’s free subscription to the forthcoming Journal of Playwork Practice.
“Having worked in children’s services for over 20 years, I am very pleased that the Register of Playwork Professionals has been established by SkillsActive. Playwork professionals can now be qualified at various levels up to and including Foundation Degree, Honours Degree and Postgraduate Qualification; this recognition helps the hard working individuals and also the workforce in our contribution to helping children live satisfying and enjoyable lives.” Prof Perry Else, Course Leader BA (Hons) Children and Playwork,
Using the expertise gained from the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), the Register of Playwork Professionals is looking to build on this success within the playwork industry.
Driving a high standard of professionalism in the sector, the establishment of the Register of Playwork Professionals will:
- Recognise the importance of the role playworkers perform in the provision of play opportunities
- Offer much needed re-assurance to parents or carers that staff working with their children (aged 4 - 16 years old) are appropriately qualified
- Provide a system of regulation to ensure that individuals meet agreed National Occupational Standards, which describe the knowledge, competence and skills of good practice.
The entry levels and categories for the Register of Playwork Professionals will be based on the job roles and related qualifications held by each individual. The framework provided by the Register will offer verification that those working in the sector are fully qualified.
To ensure that members of the Register of Playwork Professional maintain skills in line with industry standards, they will be required to complete annual Continued Professional Development (CPD), which will be tracked by the activepassport system.
“We’re delighted to be launching the pilot of the Register of Playwork Professionals. It's important that the playwork sector is recognised for the very valuable contributions playworkers make to the lives of our children. I believe the establishment of the Register will really put playwork on the map and raise the profile of playwork within the children's workforce. The Register will also ensure high quality throughout the industry and drive professionalisation throughout the playwork sector”
For further information about the Register of Playwork Professionals, please visit our website www.playworkregister.org
For further information or comment about these issues and the wider issues of skills and employment, or to arrange interviews please contact Sharon Colligan ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0207 632 2000).
The Register of Playwork Professionals is proud to be supporting Create Training First Wessex, who in partnership with Portsmouth City Council Play Service and YMCA Portsmouth would like to invite you to attend:
The Portsmouth Playwork Conference - 'Risky Play and the importance of stimulation and challenge within the play environment'
Where: Landport Adventure Playground, Arundel Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1PH
When: Wednesday 12th June 2013, 9.30 – 2.30pm
There will be a small fee for this conference: £10 per person. However if you have qualified with Create Training in the past 12 months or are working towards your qualification with them then you will receive a 50% discount.
During the conference Stuart Lester, Senior Lecturer in Play and Playwork, from the University of Gloucestershire will enable playworkers to reflect upon how they support and facilitate the play process, by providing stimulating play spaces and resources, whilst challenging assumptions, barriers and blocks to risky play.
Playworkers will then have an opportunity to 'play' by participating in a variety of workshops that will challenge and stimulate their imagination and practice to incorporate and embed risky play within their play environments and play spaces.
Create Training provides training in a supportive community learning environment for people who may have had negative experiences of formal education; or have been out of any education or training for many years and lack confidence in their skills and abilities.
Create Training are part of First Wessex, a Hampshire based housing association, who provide homes and services to local communities throughout Hampshire and parts of Surrey.
For further information or booking form please contact:
Sandy Bennett
Telephone: 07775 410 467 / 02392 896 818.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The PRO-ACTIVE London County Sports Partnership held their annual Awards Evening on Friday 26th April 2013 at the KIA Oval, hosting a mixture of grassroots coaches and volunteers and elite athletes and that represent London's sporting landscape. The Awards, sponsored by GLL, are the only regional awards which celebrate the contribution of thousands of people, the majority of whom are volunteers, and who make it possible for so many people to take part.
The 280 guests in attendance were treated to a keynote speech from Alan Watkinson, former PE teacher of Mo Farah, who recounted stories of the young athlete's rise from reluctant cross-country runner to double Olympic Champion. The evening also hosted the UEFA Champions League and Women's Champions League trophies, with both finals due to take place in London in May. But the highlight of the evening was six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir receiving the Inspirational Sports Performance Award, and presenting his long-term coach Jenny Archer with the Elite Coach of the Year Award.
David and Jenny closed the evening with a Q&A session, where they recognised the importance of community sport, embodied by the many coaches and volunteers in attendance, and discussed their new Weir Archer Academy which aims to offer top-class coaching and facilities to aspiring young disabled and able-bodied athletes.
Christine Double, Director of PRO-ACTIVE South London said "Following London's incredible Olympic and Paralympic year, the PRO-ACTIVE London Awards area fantastic opportunity to reward the excellent work undertaken in community sport to deliver a lasting legacy. Recognising coaches, volunteers, clubs and sports projects alongside last years' heroes such as David Weir emphasises the importance of grassroots sport in offering sports participation to all."
This year the PRO-ACTIVE London Awards received over 700 nominations and were attended by 280 guests, including seven former Olympic or Paralympians.
Inspirational Sports Performance – Sponsored by Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Winner: David Weir
David Weir CBE is a wheelchair athlete and multi-Paralympic champion who reached new heights in 2012 by winning four Gold medals at the London Paralympic Games and, in the process, helping to raise the profile of disability sport to a new level. His achievements were recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours list, as he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and shortlisted for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year.
Born in South London, David's career has been heavily linked with his home city. As a teenager he represented the Borough of Sutton in the London Youth games, for which he was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2010. He also took part in the London Marathon's Junior Wheelchair Race, winning it seven times. David's dominance of the event continued into the Men's event, which he has won on six occasions prior to competing again this year.
David competed in his first Paralympics in Atlanta at the age of 17, before winning his first Paralympic medals – Silver in the 100m and Bronze in the 200m – in Athens in 2004. This was followed by his first Paralympic Gold's at the 2008 Beijing games in the 800m and 1500m, with another Silver (400m) and Bronze (5000m) for good measure. In between, David has won Gold medals at the 2005 IPC Athletics European Championships, the 2007 Paralympic World Cup and the 2006 and 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships.
However, despite all of his achievements, 2012 was an astonishing year for David. A sixth London Marathon victory was followed by an incredible four Gold medals at the London Paralympic Games. The breadth of his achievement is staggering, with victories in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and the marathon across only eight days. Dubbed 'The Weriwolf' by fans, David truly helped to inspire a generation.
Still hungry for more, David has targeted a seventh London Marathon this year (held last weekend) and is already looking towards the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and possibly the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. This year he has also launched the Weir Archer Academy with his long-time coach Jenny Archer, with the aim to develop a new generation of disabled athletes.
British record holder in all track disciplines and the marathon and dubbed by many coaches, commentators and rivals alike as the greatest wheelchair racer of all time, David is undoubtedly an icon of British sport and an inspiration to all Londoners.
Outstanding Contribution to Sport – Sponsored by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Winner: Sid Khan
For the last 10 years, Sid has been a key figure at the Earlsfield Boxing Club. He volunteers for 3 nights a week to open, hoover, clean up and get the gym ready for use, as well as then leading early morning runs around Richmond Park. He uses his annual leave from his own work to take the boys to tournaments and has been known to do more than 700 miles over a weekend. He always stands up, speaks up and stands by his boxers, voicing a concern when a decision has not gone their way. He regularly does what has become known as the 'milk round' after an away show to enable the younger and older members to go places as a team and to ensure the younger ones get home safely – although this may be well out of his way. He has coached boys that no one else could and made champions of them. He goes out of his way to help and encourage members to change their attitude and stay out of trouble.
Coach of the Year – Sponsored by Sports Coach UK & Gillette
Winner: Paulo Cotrim
Paulo has made a fantastic contribution to Hackney BMX Club, often running the sessions single-handedly. He was instrumental in helping the club reach over 1,000 young people in 2012. Over and above the core club sessions Paulo has been instrumental in creating excellent community links, by working within 25 different schools, of which some are now running weekly BMX sessions. In May 2012 Paulo volunteered to manage the first ever Hackney London Youth Games BMX team. During the summer he single-handedly kept the club running by coaching, keeping the registers and maintaining the equipment. Through his own efforts, he worked with the National Deaf Children's Society to organise a free BMX session – the session was fully booked and even featured on ITV's London Tonight.
Club of the Year – Sponsored by Tottenham Hotspur Foundation
Winner: Tower Hamlets BMX Club
Tower Hamlets BMX club has been a fantastic example of a community sports club since its foundation in late 2011. In 2012 alone, the club reached over 800 young people from all over the borough, with 85 of those coming on a regular weekly basis. Up until September 2012 the club was operating without access to its own BMX track. Regardless, the club volunteers met every Saturday and rode over 2 miles to the Haggerston Park BMX track. The club plays a major part within the community, running school holiday activities, major events and played a key role in the creation of the new BMX track in Mile End Park. Since the opening of the new track, the club now runs 10 sessions per week, catering for all abilities, including women and girls, disability groups and pupil referral units.
Community Project of the Year – Sponsored by sported.
Winner: Play The Game
The Play the Game project was set up by the Zesh Rehman Foundation (ZRF) in February 2012 to create structured football opportunities for young people from South Asian backgrounds living in Croydon. The sessions quickly became popular with 220 participants regularly attending the weekly sessions. From these young people, 20 have now been up skilled as young coaches/mentors who volunteer (some who are now paid) at the sessions across South London and with partner organizations, such as Crystal Palace FC and the Bangladeshi Welfare Association of Croydon. Due to the interest of the project, an 11 a-side football team called ZRF Knights FC – which is run by the volunteers from the project – was formed, of which 12 members of the team are our newly qualified coaches.
Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Skills Active
Winner: George Henry
George Henry first became involved with the Croydon Kickz programme as a young man very much on the margins of crime and anti-social behaviour. Slowly as a volunteer, he began to find a real sense of direction. Securing his FA Level 1 coaching qualification and two further awards, he became heavily involved with the programme: volunteering with the Crystal Palace Football Foundation in many roles, including leading the Heal the Streets football tournament; successfully developing partnerships around the Run-Dem Crew initiative; writing a successful funding bid and setting up his own youth charity. He has also represented the foundation at the Momentum Youth Conference and set up a young leaders programme.
Young Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Fulham Football Club Foundation
Winner: Abda Kazemi
Abda is an exceptionally talented and passionate individual who is dedicated to community volunteering, with hundreds of hours of sports volunteering logged through her school, primary schools, clubs and competitions. She has achieved over 400 hours of volunteering, including running a dance club in her local primary school, organising sports competitions and mentoring other sports leaders in her school. In December, Abda was chosen to represent YST in Doha, Qatar to launch the Lead your Generation programme. In addition to sports volunteering, Abda is a member of the UK Youth Parliament, a reporter for the BBC School Report, Chair of the Redbridge Youth Council and a Peer Mentor.
Inclusive & Active Champion – Sponsored by Interactive and the Greater London Authority
Winner: Fiona Healy & Hannah Chapman
Fiona and Hannah have gone above and beyond the expectations of their roles as Volunteer Club Co-ordinator and Club Secretary at disability athletics club Hackney Hurricanes. The continually growing membership and well attended events speaks volumes for their effort, commitment and understanding of inclusion. This can be demonstrated through their work with England Athletics to help create an associated mainstream club, which will lead to truly inclusive opportunities for all athletes. By doing outreach at disabled people's organisations and respite centres, they have also shown an understanding that to increase participation amongst disabled people it is vital to ask disabled people themselves.
Education Partner of the Year – Sponsored by Create Development
Winner: University of East London
Over the period of the last 12 months UEL have been instrumental in changing people's lives within East London. One of these examples can be found in the development and delivery of the innovative, inclusive programme Chairs in the Community. The ambitious and highly successful programme has provided access for over 3,000 local participants to use 40 Motivation Sports Wheelchairs, which has resulted in the delivery of over 200 inclusive wheelchair sport sessions, as well as the development of over 60 volunteers. UEL are also a key partner in the Sport Makers programme, East London Talent Coaching Breakfasts and are an active member of the Strategic Regeneration Framework Sports Groups.
PRO-ACTIVE Partners of the Year:
North Winner: Saracens
PRO-ACTIVE North London has decided to award Saracens the Partner of the Year Award for their all-round commitment to developing community sport in the last 12 months. Herman Beetge, Operations Manager at Saracens, was instrumental in the link between the GLA and their Team London Ambassadors to create a dedicated and enthusiastic workforce to enhance the Matchday experience of spectators at Allianz Park. With the help of the Sport Makers programme this has resulted in 250 Pioneers who have since contributed at least 10 hours of volunteering at the club.
Saracens have been very supportive of the idea of developing a new triathlon club based at their new venue and have assisted in organising a triathlon event. Thanks to Saracens one of our team members, together with British triathlon, are now working on this project with the hope of seeing in the future a new club open to all. Saracens have been heavily involved in our Sportivate programme, delivering a successful cheerleading project that established cheerleading activities in two new North London schools with over 50 girls regularly participating in them. This builds on the successful Saracens Schools of Cheer programme that has engaged over 250 girls in schools across Barnet. The club have also delivered a successful rugby project into schools linking rugby clubs across Barnet. It is for these reasons that they are a deserving recipient of the award.
West Winner: Brunel University
Brunel University has hosted PRO-ACTIVE West London since its creation in 2006 and has proved to be an outstanding partner, in every sense of the word. The University has world class sports facilities, a prestigious sports science department and are a leading light in sports related academic research. PAWL have benefited greatly in each of these areas, accessing fantastic sports facilities to run sessions for the wider community, working with sports science on mutually beneficial internships and student placements and developing sports research projects, with the University and external community sport partners. The partnership with the University has always been mutually beneficial and through PAWL the University has been able to further develop its community sports network across West London, leading to a number of exciting new projects and partnerships. One of these being the annual Street Games Festival held at the University, which allows a large number of disadvantaged young people from West London to access world class sports facilities, normally used by athletes such as Usain Bolt. The University have been integral to the success of PAWL and are worthy winners of the Partner of the Year award.
Central Winner: London South Bank University's Academy of Sport
Since PRO-ACTIVE Central London formed in 2006, London South Bank University's Academy of Sport has been an invaluable partner. More than just a host, LSBU has provided infrastructure and resources vital to the partnership. The Academy of Sport is a community sport hub providing courses, facilities and a base for 17 community sport organisations, including PRO-ACTIVE Central London. LSBU also supports workplace health providing hosted organisations with subsidised access to facilities and programmes. During 2012 the Academy worked closely with PRO-ACTIVE Central to develop an integrated coach education programme for both students and partner organisations, delivering 24 courses to over 300 participants. LSBU students have also supported the partnership. Through Sport Makers, 22 sports team officers now signpost students towards local community clubs for mutual benefit. LSBU student ambassadors have provided project support and gained work experience. The Academy of Sport Director has also provided a significant input into the development of PRO-ACTIVE London through the Interim Steering Group. The partnership between PRO-ACTIVE Central London and LSBU has been a huge and vital asset to our work for sport and physical activity. We would like to thank the LSBU Academy of Sport for their continued dedication and support.
East Winner: London Legacy Development Corporation
Over the last year PRO-ACTIVE East London has worked with countless committees and deserving partners during such a unique time for East London. With the gold-dust of the games settling, the PAEL Award goes this year to a partner whose support has fundamentally changed the way in which the partnership operates. The London Legacy Development Corporation has played a pivotal role in supporting PAEL to develop and deliver a variety of new legacy projects, working closely with the team as well as key partners and individuals. The organisation has embodied the spirit of partnership working and done their utmost to integrate legacy outcomes within an already well-established community sports offer. The impact the organisation has had on the PAEL team has been immense. They have encouraged and supported them to operate in a radically different way and as a result they have become more astute, and developed better clarity of purpose. The partnership has allowed them to understand and maximise opportunities to engage and bring new opportunities to East Londoners. The London Legacy Development Corporation has been integral to the success they have seen in recent projects, and this is the reason why they have recognised them as the highly regarded Partner of the Year. Their shared passion to create a legacy for the 2012 games for community sport is something that they value above all else.
South Winner: PRO-ACTIVE Bromley
PRO-ACTIVE South London's Partner of the Year has gone from strength to strength since they re-organised and re-structured 2 years ago. In that time they have attracted a significant number of new and active members, developed a borough-wide strategy for sport and physical activity and a facilities strategy, bid for additional internal and external funding to support specific areas of need identified by partners, run two annual sports forums for over 75 people each time and organised a major legacy festival last summer celebrating the legacy of the 2012 Games, attracting over 1,500 people, resulting in over 130 new participants attending ongoing sporting activities set up by 12 local partners as part of the Get Active South London programme. Driven largely by three key partners, the Local Authority, the Leisure Trust (mytimeactive) and the voluntary Sports Council, (Sport Bromley), with an highly respected and influential Independent Chair, our partner of the year has even attracted the full support of the CEO of Bromley Council, who has been inspired to retake his handball coaching qualification and set up a new handball club in the borough as part of his commitment to the Olympic legacy - and to show his support for P-ASL Partner of the Year for 2013 – Pro-Active Bromley.
This spring saw the European Health & Fitness Association (EHFA) Annual General Assembly took place in Cologne and was attended by SkillsActive’s CEO, Ian Taylor and John Greenway, President of REPs.
The event covered a range of particularly engaging topics, including social dialogue, anti-doping, qualifications and the EHFA Standards Council.
The EHFA is working with four national fitness industry associations to launch EHFA-E, which will allow European employer members to represent the active leisure sector in the current EU Social Dialogue DG Employment.
The active leisure sector is currently being looked at as part of a large-scale review on Directive 2005/36 EC, which aims to give mutual recognition of qualifications throughout the EU.
In other positive news, EU level 4 Pilates Instructor (UK level 3) and EU level 5 Pre Diabetes Exercise Specialist (UK level 4) have now been approved by the Standards Council.
Following from the Cologne event is the Annual EHFA Fitness Forum and National Fitness Association meeting is planned for 8-9th December in Amsterdam. REPs President John Greenway has been asked to make a presentation at this meeting to reflect on current EU developments as they affect the active leisure sector.
The AASE-Zine is our monthly newsletter on the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence.
It brings you the latest news on our star performing AASE athletes, as well useful updates on the apprenticeship framework.
If you have a story or message that you would like published in one of our upcoming issues, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Salary: Circa £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience.
Based: Head Office, Central London
Full time, 37.5 Hours per week
The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) is seeking to recruit a high quality Compliance and Standards Manager, to further enhance and develop the technical expertise within the Registers team.
This is a new and exciting role which is integral to ensuring compliance of our application processes and adherence to operating procedures alongside supporting the Registrar. This role will support from a technical perspective, the continued work of SkillsActive to grow the status of REPs, build on its reputation and enhance the value it offers to employers, employees and the public.
You will be largely stakeholder facing and will be the operational expert in all components relating to fitness professionals standards and qualifications. You will be required to attend and present at conferences, technical expert groups and stakeholder meetings with the ability to disseminate technical information in layman's terms to the wider business.
Your experience of working within the Health and Fitness industry alongside your ability to confidently solve problems whilst working and communicating effectively with all staff and client groups to achieve positive results will ensure success in this role.
For more information on this role see the: Job Description and Person Specification
To apply for this role
Please submit the following:-
1. Comprehensive curriculum vitae.
2. Covering letter setting out how you meet the job and person specification and clearly stating your expected salary. (2 pages maximum).
PLEASE NOTE - Applications without covering letter supporting application will not be reviewed.
3. Please complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Forms. Information given on this form will not be used as part of the selection process and will be treated as strictly confidential.
Email application to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Closing Date: Midday, 20th May 2013
Unfortunately we are not able to respond to all applicants, if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date please assume your application was not successful.
Skillsactive is working in partnership with Sports Marketing Network to help develop ‘The right skills for community sport’.
The partnership will deliver a national event which aims to develop understanding as to whether training and education providers, are helping to up-skill employees and volunteers in community sport. With the new opportunities and challenges that are created by both changes in people’s lives and the current economic situation, there has never been a better time to understand if the right skills for delivery are being acquired by activity facilitators to meet the needs of community sport today.
The one-day event bringing together providers from across sport and active leisure sector with employers and partners - sharing ideas, inspiration and experiences
It will address issues such as:
Date: 4th July,
Location: English Institute of Sport, Sheffield.
We would welcome your attendance to the event which will help to form the evolving landscape of community sport.
Last year, Doug Richard was commissioned by the Government to undertake a review of apprenticeships in England. Richard’s report came out in November 2012, with the Government publishing its response to the review during Apprenticeship Week 2013. The government is now asking employers across all sectors to participate in a consultation to understand how best to implement all recommendations from the Richard review.
The Government is in full support of the Review’s recommendations and anticipates the first changes being seen by 2014/15 with early adopting sectors, and with others following to adopt by 2015/16.The Government has set out a number of proposals (high in number with limited details) in response and are now consulting on these proposals.
SkillsActive wishes to consult with employers to inform our response. The consultation is open until 22 May 2013. More detailed plans and timescales for implementation are expected by autumn 2013.
If you would like to take part in the consultation please click here.
Highlights of key points and impications can be found here.
Independent Member of the Audit Governance and Risk Committee
Non-remunerate (Reasonable expenses paid)
Based: Head Office, Central London (occasional travel out of london may be required)
SkillsActive are looking to recruit Independent Member of the Audit Governance and Risk Committee.
The Audit Governance and Risk Committee is the principal sub-committee of the Board of Trustees. Independent members are required to provide the Committee with a mix of accounting, financial, risk management, information assurance, audit and corporate governance advice to enable the Committee to provide appropriate scrutiny and advice to the Board.
The Audit Committee operates under specific terms of reference authorised by the Board and meets 4 times a year to monitor and offer advice on appropriate standards for risk management and internal control and to review matters connected with audit and the provision of internal controls assurance. Meetings are usually held in London.
An independent member is required to provide the committee with a mix of specialist accounting, financial, risk management, information assurance, audit and corporate governance advice to enable the committee to provide appropriate scrutiny and advice to the Council.
For more information on this role see the: Job Description and Person Specification
To apply for this role
Please submit the following:-
1. Comprehensive curriculum vitae.
2. Covering letter setting out how you meet the job and person specification and clearly stating your expected salary. (2 pages maximum).
Email application to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SkillsActive is delighted to be able to promote the Active IQ’s Skills Funding Agency (SFA) Innovation Code Information Events.
The events offer a fantastic chance for training providers to discuss opportunities for how you can utilise your Adult Skills Budget for provision of funded training right away.
The events will be held at:
The session will provide you with a valuable insight into how your organisation can meet local business or skills needs quickly. The events are ideal for colleges and training providers.
Representatives of the Skills Funding Agency will be attending to answer your questions.
Places are limited so book yours today by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday 31st May.
Please confirm at the time of emailing which location you would like to attend, your name, organisation and role.
These events are free to attend.
SkillsActive is proud to launch the pilot of the Register of Playwork Professionals.
The Register of Playwork Professionals has been developed by SkillsActive in partnership with employers, playworkers and representatives from key national organisations involved in the development, delivery and support for children’s play. The Register will ensure that standards within the Playwork industry are kept to a high level through annual Continued Professional Development (CPD) for all members.
Successful applicants during the pilot will be given membership for one year free of charge and, in addition, the first 100 members to sign up to the Register of Playwork Professionals will also receive one year’s free subscription to the forthcoming Journal of Playwork Practice.
“Having worked in children’s services for over 20 years, I am very pleased that the Register of Playwork Professionals has been established by SkillsActive. Playwork professionals can now be qualified at various levels up to and including Foundation Degree, Honours Degree and Postgraduate Qualification; this recognition helps the hard working individuals and also the workforce in our contribution to helping children live satisfying and enjoyable lives.” Prof Perry Else, Course Leader BA (Hons) Children and Playwork,
Using the expertise gained from the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), the Register of Playwork Professionals is looking to build on this success within the playwork industry.
Driving a high standard of professionalism in the sector, the establishment of the Register of Playwork Professionals will:
- Recognise the importance of the role playworkers perform in the provision of play opportunities
- Offer much needed re-assurance to parents or carers that staff working with their children (aged 4 - 16 years old) are appropriately qualified
- Provide a system of regulation to ensure that individuals meet agreed National Occupational Standards, which describe the knowledge, competence and skills of good practice.
The entry levels and categories for the Register of Playwork Professionals will be based on the job roles and related qualifications held by each individual. The framework provided by the Register will offer verification that those working in the sector are fully qualified.
To ensure that members of the Register of Playwork Professional maintain skills in line with industry standards, they will be required to complete annual Continued Professional Development (CPD), which will be tracked by the activepassport system.
“We’re delighted to be launching the pilot of the Register of Playwork Professionals. It's important that the playwork sector is recognised for the very valuable contributions playworkers make to the lives of our children. I believe the establishment of the Register will really put playwork on the map and raise the profile of playwork within the children's workforce. The Register will also ensure high quality throughout the industry and drive professionalisation throughout the playwork sector”
For further information about the Register of Playwork Professionals, please visit our website www.playworkregister.org
For further information or comment about these issues and the wider issues of skills and employment, or to arrange interviews please contact Sharon Colligan ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0207 632 2000).
The Register of Playwork Professionals is proud to be supporting Create Training First Wessex, who in partnership with Portsmouth City Council Play Service and YMCA Portsmouth would like to invite you to attend:
The Portsmouth Playwork Conference - 'Risky Play and the importance of stimulation and challenge within the play environment'
Where: Landport Adventure Playground, Arundel Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1PH
When: Wednesday 12th June 2013, 9.30 – 2.30pm
There will be a small fee for this conference: £10 per person. However if you have qualified with Create Training in the past 12 months or are working towards your qualification with them then you will receive a 50% discount.
During the conference Stuart Lester, Senior Lecturer in Play and Playwork, from the University of Gloucestershire will enable playworkers to reflect upon how they support and facilitate the play process, by providing stimulating play spaces and resources, whilst challenging assumptions, barriers and blocks to risky play.
Playworkers will then have an opportunity to 'play' by participating in a variety of workshops that will challenge and stimulate their imagination and practice to incorporate and embed risky play within their play environments and play spaces.
Create Training provides training in a supportive community learning environment for people who may have had negative experiences of formal education; or have been out of any education or training for many years and lack confidence in their skills and abilities.
Create Training are part of First Wessex, a Hampshire based housing association, who provide homes and services to local communities throughout Hampshire and parts of Surrey.
For further information or booking form please contact:
Sandy Bennett
Telephone: 07775 410 467 / 02392 896 818.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The PRO-ACTIVE London County Sports Partnership held their annual Awards Evening on Friday 26th April 2013 at the KIA Oval, hosting a mixture of grassroots coaches and volunteers and elite athletes and that represent London's sporting landscape. The Awards, sponsored by GLL, are the only regional awards which celebrate the contribution of thousands of people, the majority of whom are volunteers, and who make it possible for so many people to take part.
The 280 guests in attendance were treated to a keynote speech from Alan Watkinson, former PE teacher of Mo Farah, who recounted stories of the young athlete's rise from reluctant cross-country runner to double Olympic Champion. The evening also hosted the UEFA Champions League and Women's Champions League trophies, with both finals due to take place in London in May. But the highlight of the evening was six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir receiving the Inspirational Sports Performance Award, and presenting his long-term coach Jenny Archer with the Elite Coach of the Year Award.
David and Jenny closed the evening with a Q&A session, where they recognised the importance of community sport, embodied by the many coaches and volunteers in attendance, and discussed their new Weir Archer Academy which aims to offer top-class coaching and facilities to aspiring young disabled and able-bodied athletes.
Christine Double, Director of PRO-ACTIVE South London said "Following London's incredible Olympic and Paralympic year, the PRO-ACTIVE London Awards area fantastic opportunity to reward the excellent work undertaken in community sport to deliver a lasting legacy. Recognising coaches, volunteers, clubs and sports projects alongside last years' heroes such as David Weir emphasises the importance of grassroots sport in offering sports participation to all."
This year the PRO-ACTIVE London Awards received over 700 nominations and were attended by 280 guests, including seven former Olympic or Paralympians.
Inspirational Sports Performance – Sponsored by Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Winner: David Weir
David Weir CBE is a wheelchair athlete and multi-Paralympic champion who reached new heights in 2012 by winning four Gold medals at the London Paralympic Games and, in the process, helping to raise the profile of disability sport to a new level. His achievements were recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours list, as he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and shortlisted for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year.
Born in South London, David's career has been heavily linked with his home city. As a teenager he represented the Borough of Sutton in the London Youth games, for which he was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2010. He also took part in the London Marathon's Junior Wheelchair Race, winning it seven times. David's dominance of the event continued into the Men's event, which he has won on six occasions prior to competing again this year.
David competed in his first Paralympics in Atlanta at the age of 17, before winning his first Paralympic medals – Silver in the 100m and Bronze in the 200m – in Athens in 2004. This was followed by his first Paralympic Gold's at the 2008 Beijing games in the 800m and 1500m, with another Silver (400m) and Bronze (5000m) for good measure. In between, David has won Gold medals at the 2005 IPC Athletics European Championships, the 2007 Paralympic World Cup and the 2006 and 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships.
However, despite all of his achievements, 2012 was an astonishing year for David. A sixth London Marathon victory was followed by an incredible four Gold medals at the London Paralympic Games. The breadth of his achievement is staggering, with victories in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and the marathon across only eight days. Dubbed 'The Weriwolf' by fans, David truly helped to inspire a generation.
Still hungry for more, David has targeted a seventh London Marathon this year (held last weekend) and is already looking towards the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and possibly the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. This year he has also launched the Weir Archer Academy with his long-time coach Jenny Archer, with the aim to develop a new generation of disabled athletes.
British record holder in all track disciplines and the marathon and dubbed by many coaches, commentators and rivals alike as the greatest wheelchair racer of all time, David is undoubtedly an icon of British sport and an inspiration to all Londoners.
Outstanding Contribution to Sport – Sponsored by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Winner: Sid Khan
For the last 10 years, Sid has been a key figure at the Earlsfield Boxing Club. He volunteers for 3 nights a week to open, hoover, clean up and get the gym ready for use, as well as then leading early morning runs around Richmond Park. He uses his annual leave from his own work to take the boys to tournaments and has been known to do more than 700 miles over a weekend. He always stands up, speaks up and stands by his boxers, voicing a concern when a decision has not gone their way. He regularly does what has become known as the 'milk round' after an away show to enable the younger and older members to go places as a team and to ensure the younger ones get home safely – although this may be well out of his way. He has coached boys that no one else could and made champions of them. He goes out of his way to help and encourage members to change their attitude and stay out of trouble.
Coach of the Year – Sponsored by Sports Coach UK & Gillette
Winner: Paulo Cotrim
Paulo has made a fantastic contribution to Hackney BMX Club, often running the sessions single-handedly. He was instrumental in helping the club reach over 1,000 young people in 2012. Over and above the core club sessions Paulo has been instrumental in creating excellent community links, by working within 25 different schools, of which some are now running weekly BMX sessions. In May 2012 Paulo volunteered to manage the first ever Hackney London Youth Games BMX team. During the summer he single-handedly kept the club running by coaching, keeping the registers and maintaining the equipment. Through his own efforts, he worked with the National Deaf Children's Society to organise a free BMX session – the session was fully booked and even featured on ITV's London Tonight.
Club of the Year – Sponsored by Tottenham Hotspur Foundation
Winner: Tower Hamlets BMX Club
Tower Hamlets BMX club has been a fantastic example of a community sports club since its foundation in late 2011. In 2012 alone, the club reached over 800 young people from all over the borough, with 85 of those coming on a regular weekly basis. Up until September 2012 the club was operating without access to its own BMX track. Regardless, the club volunteers met every Saturday and rode over 2 miles to the Haggerston Park BMX track. The club plays a major part within the community, running school holiday activities, major events and played a key role in the creation of the new BMX track in Mile End Park. Since the opening of the new track, the club now runs 10 sessions per week, catering for all abilities, including women and girls, disability groups and pupil referral units.
Community Project of the Year – Sponsored by sported.
Winner: Play The Game
The Play the Game project was set up by the Zesh Rehman Foundation (ZRF) in February 2012 to create structured football opportunities for young people from South Asian backgrounds living in Croydon. The sessions quickly became popular with 220 participants regularly attending the weekly sessions. From these young people, 20 have now been up skilled as young coaches/mentors who volunteer (some who are now paid) at the sessions across South London and with partner organizations, such as Crystal Palace FC and the Bangladeshi Welfare Association of Croydon. Due to the interest of the project, an 11 a-side football team called ZRF Knights FC – which is run by the volunteers from the project – was formed, of which 12 members of the team are our newly qualified coaches.
Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Skills Active
Winner: George Henry
George Henry first became involved with the Croydon Kickz programme as a young man very much on the margins of crime and anti-social behaviour. Slowly as a volunteer, he began to find a real sense of direction. Securing his FA Level 1 coaching qualification and two further awards, he became heavily involved with the programme: volunteering with the Crystal Palace Football Foundation in many roles, including leading the Heal the Streets football tournament; successfully developing partnerships around the Run-Dem Crew initiative; writing a successful funding bid and setting up his own youth charity. He has also represented the foundation at the Momentum Youth Conference and set up a young leaders programme.
Young Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Fulham Football Club Foundation
Winner: Abda Kazemi
Abda is an exceptionally talented and passionate individual who is dedicated to community volunteering, with hundreds of hours of sports volunteering logged through her school, primary schools, clubs and competitions. She has achieved over 400 hours of volunteering, including running a dance club in her local primary school, organising sports competitions and mentoring other sports leaders in her school. In December, Abda was chosen to represent YST in Doha, Qatar to launch the Lead your Generation programme. In addition to sports volunteering, Abda is a member of the UK Youth Parliament, a reporter for the BBC School Report, Chair of the Redbridge Youth Council and a Peer Mentor.
Inclusive & Active Champion – Sponsored by Interactive and the Greater London Authority
Winner: Fiona Healy & Hannah Chapman
Fiona and Hannah have gone above and beyond the expectations of their roles as Volunteer Club Co-ordinator and Club Secretary at disability athletics club Hackney Hurricanes. The continually growing membership and well attended events speaks volumes for their effort, commitment and understanding of inclusion. This can be demonstrated through their work with England Athletics to help create an associated mainstream club, which will lead to truly inclusive opportunities for all athletes. By doing outreach at disabled people's organisations and respite centres, they have also shown an understanding that to increase participation amongst disabled people it is vital to ask disabled people themselves.
Education Partner of the Year – Sponsored by Create Development
Winner: University of East London
Over the period of the last 12 months UEL have been instrumental in changing people's lives within East London. One of these examples can be found in the development and delivery of the innovative, inclusive programme Chairs in the Community. The ambitious and highly successful programme has provided access for over 3,000 local participants to use 40 Motivation Sports Wheelchairs, which has resulted in the delivery of over 200 inclusive wheelchair sport sessions, as well as the development of over 60 volunteers. UEL are also a key partner in the Sport Makers programme, East London Talent Coaching Breakfasts and are an active member of the Strategic Regeneration Framework Sports Groups.
PRO-ACTIVE Partners of the Year:
North Winner: Saracens
PRO-ACTIVE North London has decided to award Saracens the Partner of the Year Award for their all-round commitment to developing community sport in the last 12 months. Herman Beetge, Operations Manager at Saracens, was instrumental in the link between the GLA and their Team London Ambassadors to create a dedicated and enthusiastic workforce to enhance the Matchday experience of spectators at Allianz Park. With the help of the Sport Makers programme this has resulted in 250 Pioneers who have since contributed at least 10 hours of volunteering at the club.
Saracens have been very supportive of the idea of developing a new triathlon club based at their new venue and have assisted in organising a triathlon event. Thanks to Saracens one of our team members, together with British triathlon, are now working on this project with the hope of seeing in the future a new club open to all. Saracens have been heavily involved in our Sportivate programme, delivering a successful cheerleading project that established cheerleading activities in two new North London schools with over 50 girls regularly participating in them. This builds on the successful Saracens Schools of Cheer programme that has engaged over 250 girls in schools across Barnet. The club have also delivered a successful rugby project into schools linking rugby clubs across Barnet. It is for these reasons that they are a deserving recipient of the award.
West Winner: Brunel University
Brunel University has hosted PRO-ACTIVE West London since its creation in 2006 and has proved to be an outstanding partner, in every sense of the word. The University has world class sports facilities, a prestigious sports science department and are a leading light in sports related academic research. PAWL have benefited greatly in each of these areas, accessing fantastic sports facilities to run sessions for the wider community, working with sports science on mutually beneficial internships and student placements and developing sports research projects, with the University and external community sport partners. The partnership with the University has always been mutually beneficial and through PAWL the University has been able to further develop its community sports network across West London, leading to a number of exciting new projects and partnerships. One of these being the annual Street Games Festival held at the University, which allows a large number of disadvantaged young people from West London to access world class sports facilities, normally used by athletes such as Usain Bolt. The University have been integral to the success of PAWL and are worthy winners of the Partner of the Year award.
Central Winner: London South Bank University's Academy of Sport
Since PRO-ACTIVE Central London formed in 2006, London South Bank University's Academy of Sport has been an invaluable partner. More than just a host, LSBU has provided infrastructure and resources vital to the partnership. The Academy of Sport is a community sport hub providing courses, facilities and a base for 17 community sport organisations, including PRO-ACTIVE Central London. LSBU also supports workplace health providing hosted organisations with subsidised access to facilities and programmes. During 2012 the Academy worked closely with PRO-ACTIVE Central to develop an integrated coach education programme for both students and partner organisations, delivering 24 courses to over 300 participants. LSBU students have also supported the partnership. Through Sport Makers, 22 sports team officers now signpost students towards local community clubs for mutual benefit. LSBU student ambassadors have provided project support and gained work experience. The Academy of Sport Director has also provided a significant input into the development of PRO-ACTIVE London through the Interim Steering Group. The partnership between PRO-ACTIVE Central London and LSBU has been a huge and vital asset to our work for sport and physical activity. We would like to thank the LSBU Academy of Sport for their continued dedication and support.
East Winner: London Legacy Development Corporation
Over the last year PRO-ACTIVE East London has worked with countless committees and deserving partners during such a unique time for East London. With the gold-dust of the games settling, the PAEL Award goes this year to a partner whose support has fundamentally changed the way in which the partnership operates. The London Legacy Development Corporation has played a pivotal role in supporting PAEL to develop and deliver a variety of new legacy projects, working closely with the team as well as key partners and individuals. The organisation has embodied the spirit of partnership working and done their utmost to integrate legacy outcomes within an already well-established community sports offer. The impact the organisation has had on the PAEL team has been immense. They have encouraged and supported them to operate in a radically different way and as a result they have become more astute, and developed better clarity of purpose. The partnership has allowed them to understand and maximise opportunities to engage and bring new opportunities to East Londoners. The London Legacy Development Corporation has been integral to the success they have seen in recent projects, and this is the reason why they have recognised them as the highly regarded Partner of the Year. Their shared passion to create a legacy for the 2012 games for community sport is something that they value above all else.
South Winner: PRO-ACTIVE Bromley
PRO-ACTIVE South London's Partner of the Year has gone from strength to strength since they re-organised and re-structured 2 years ago. In that time they have attracted a significant number of new and active members, developed a borough-wide strategy for sport and physical activity and a facilities strategy, bid for additional internal and external funding to support specific areas of need identified by partners, run two annual sports forums for over 75 people each time and organised a major legacy festival last summer celebrating the legacy of the 2012 Games, attracting over 1,500 people, resulting in over 130 new participants attending ongoing sporting activities set up by 12 local partners as part of the Get Active South London programme. Driven largely by three key partners, the Local Authority, the Leisure Trust (mytimeactive) and the voluntary Sports Council, (Sport Bromley), with an highly respected and influential Independent Chair, our partner of the year has even attracted the full support of the CEO of Bromley Council, who has been inspired to retake his handball coaching qualification and set up a new handball club in the borough as part of his commitment to the Olympic legacy - and to show his support for P-ASL Partner of the Year for 2013 – Pro-Active Bromley.
This spring saw the European Health & Fitness Association (EHFA) Annual General Assembly took place in Cologne and was attended by SkillsActive’s CEO, Ian Taylor and John Greenway, President of REPs.
The event covered a range of particularly engaging topics, including social dialogue, anti-doping, qualifications and the EHFA Standards Council.
The EHFA is working with four national fitness industry associations to launch EHFA-E, which will allow European employer members to represent the active leisure sector in the current EU Social Dialogue DG Employment.
The active leisure sector is currently being looked at as part of a large-scale review on Directive 2005/36 EC, which aims to give mutual recognition of qualifications throughout the EU.
In other positive news, EU level 4 Pilates Instructor (UK level 3) and EU level 5 Pre Diabetes Exercise Specialist (UK level 4) have now been approved by the Standards Council.
Following from the Cologne event is the Annual EHFA Fitness Forum and National Fitness Association meeting is planned for 8-9th December in Amsterdam. REPs President John Greenway has been asked to make a presentation at this meeting to reflect on current EU developments as they affect the active leisure sector.
The AASE-Zine is our monthly newsletter on the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence.
It brings you the latest news on our star performing AASE athletes, as well useful updates on the apprenticeship framework.
If you have a story or message that you would like published in one of our upcoming issues, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Salary: Circa £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience.
Based: Head Office, Central London
Full time, 37.5 Hours per week
The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) is seeking to recruit a high quality Compliance and Standards Manager, to further enhance and develop the technical expertise within the Registers team.
This is a new and exciting role which is integral to ensuring compliance of our application processes and adherence to operating procedures alongside supporting the Registrar. This role will support from a technical perspective, the continued work of SkillsActive to grow the status of REPs, build on its reputation and enhance the value it offers to employers, employees and the public.
You will be largely stakeholder facing and will be the operational expert in all components relating to fitness professionals standards and qualifications. You will be required to attend and present at conferences, technical expert groups and stakeholder meetings with the ability to disseminate technical information in layman's terms to the wider business.
Your experience of working within the Health and Fitness industry alongside your ability to confidently solve problems whilst working and communicating effectively with all staff and client groups to achieve positive results will ensure success in this role.
For more information on this role see the: Job Description and Person Specification
To apply for this role
Please submit the following:-
1. Comprehensive curriculum vitae.
2. Covering letter setting out how you meet the job and person specification and clearly stating your expected salary. (2 pages maximum).
PLEASE NOTE - Applications without covering letter supporting application will not be reviewed.
3. Please complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Forms. Information given on this form will not be used as part of the selection process and will be treated as strictly confidential.
Email application to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Closing Date: Midday, 20th May 2013
Unfortunately we are not able to respond to all applicants, if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date please assume your application was not successful.
Skillsactive is working in partnership with Sports Marketing Network to help develop ‘The right skills for community sport’.
The partnership will deliver a national event which aims to develop understanding as to whether training and education providers, are helping to up-skill employees and volunteers in community sport. With the new opportunities and challenges that are created by both changes in people’s lives and the current economic situation, there has never been a better time to understand if the right skills for delivery are being acquired by activity facilitators to meet the needs of community sport today.
The one-day event bringing together providers from across sport and active leisure sector with employers and partners - sharing ideas, inspiration and experiences
It will address issues such as:
Date: 4th July,
Location: English Institute of Sport, Sheffield.
We would welcome your attendance to the event which will help to form the evolving landscape of community sport.
Last year, Doug Richard was commissioned by the Government to undertake a review of apprenticeships in England. Richard’s report came out in November 2012, with the Government publishing its response to the review during Apprenticeship Week 2013. The government is now asking employers across all sectors to participate in a consultation to understand how best to implement all recommendations from the Richard review.
The Government is in full support of the Review’s recommendations and anticipates the first changes being seen by 2014/15 with early adopting sectors, and with others following to adopt by 2015/16.The Government has set out a number of proposals (high in number with limited details) in response and are now consulting on these proposals.
SkillsActive wishes to consult with employers to inform our response. The consultation is open until 22 May 2013. More detailed plans and timescales for implementation are expected by autumn 2013.
If you would like to take part in the consultation please click here.
Highlights of key points and impications can be found here.
Independent Member of the Audit Governance and Risk Committee
Non-remunerate (Reasonable expenses paid)
Based: Head Office, Central London (occasional travel out of london may be required)
SkillsActive are looking to recruit Independent Member of the Audit Governance and Risk Committee.
The Audit Governance and Risk Committee is the principal sub-committee of the Board of Trustees. Independent members are required to provide the Committee with a mix of accounting, financial, risk management, information assurance, audit and corporate governance advice to enable the Committee to provide appropriate scrutiny and advice to the Board.
The Audit Committee operates under specific terms of reference authorised by the Board and meets 4 times a year to monitor and offer advice on appropriate standards for risk management and internal control and to review matters connected with audit and the provision of internal controls assurance. Meetings are usually held in London.
An independent member is required to provide the committee with a mix of specialist accounting, financial, risk management, information assurance, audit and corporate governance advice to enable the committee to provide appropriate scrutiny and advice to the Council.
For more information on this role see the: Job Description and Person Specification
To apply for this role
Please submit the following:-
1. Comprehensive curriculum vitae.
2. Covering letter setting out how you meet the job and person specification and clearly stating your expected salary. (2 pages maximum).
Email application to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SkillsActive is delighted to be able to promote the Active IQ’s Skills Funding Agency (SFA) Innovation Code Information Events.
The events offer a fantastic chance for training providers to discuss opportunities for how you can utilise your Adult Skills Budget for provision of funded training right away.
The events will be held at:
The session will provide you with a valuable insight into how your organisation can meet local business or skills needs quickly. The events are ideal for colleges and training providers.
Representatives of the Skills Funding Agency will be attending to answer your questions.
Places are limited so book yours today by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday 31st May.
Please confirm at the time of emailing which location you would like to attend, your name, organisation and role.
These events are free to attend.
SkillsActive is proud to launch the pilot of the Register of Playwork Professionals.
The Register of Playwork Professionals has been developed by SkillsActive in partnership with employers, playworkers and representatives from key national organisations involved in the development, delivery and support for children’s play. The Register will ensure that standards within the Playwork industry are kept to a high level through annual Continued Professional Development (CPD) for all members.
Successful applicants during the pilot will be given membership for one year free of charge and, in addition, the first 100 members to sign up to the Register of Playwork Professionals will also receive one year’s free subscription to the forthcoming Journal of Playwork Practice.
“Having worked in children’s services for over 20 years, I am very pleased that the Register of Playwork Professionals has been established by SkillsActive. Playwork professionals can now be qualified at various levels up to and including Foundation Degree, Honours Degree and Postgraduate Qualification; this recognition helps the hard working individuals and also the workforce in our contribution to helping children live satisfying and enjoyable lives.” Prof Perry Else, Course Leader BA (Hons) Children and Playwork,
Using the expertise gained from the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), the Register of Playwork Professionals is looking to build on this success within the playwork industry.
Driving a high standard of professionalism in the sector, the establishment of the Register of Playwork Professionals will:
- Recognise the importance of the role playworkers perform in the provision of play opportunities
- Offer much needed re-assurance to parents or carers that staff working with their children (aged 4 - 16 years old) are appropriately qualified
- Provide a system of regulation to ensure that individuals meet agreed National Occupational Standards, which describe the knowledge, competence and skills of good practice.
The entry levels and categories for the Register of Playwork Professionals will be based on the job roles and related qualifications held by each individual. The framework provided by the Register will offer verification that those working in the sector are fully qualified.
To ensure that members of the Register of Playwork Professional maintain skills in line with industry standards, they will be required to complete annual Continued Professional Development (CPD), which will be tracked by the activepassport system.
“We’re delighted to be launching the pilot of the Register of Playwork Professionals. It's important that the playwork sector is recognised for the very valuable contributions playworkers make to the lives of our children. I believe the establishment of the Register will really put playwork on the map and raise the profile of playwork within the children's workforce. The Register will also ensure high quality throughout the industry and drive professionalisation throughout the playwork sector”
For further information about the Register of Playwork Professionals, please visit our website www.playworkregister.org
For further information or comment about these issues and the wider issues of skills and employment, or to arrange interviews please contact Sharon Colligan ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0207 632 2000).
The Register of Playwork Professionals is proud to be supporting Create Training First Wessex, who in partnership with Portsmouth City Council Play Service and YMCA Portsmouth would like to invite you to attend:
The Portsmouth Playwork Conference - 'Risky Play and the importance of stimulation and challenge within the play environment'
Where: Landport Adventure Playground, Arundel Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1PH
When: Wednesday 12th June 2013, 9.30 – 2.30pm
There will be a small fee for this conference: £10 per person. However if you have qualified with Create Training in the past 12 months or are working towards your qualification with them then you will receive a 50% discount.
During the conference Stuart Lester, Senior Lecturer in Play and Playwork, from the University of Gloucestershire will enable playworkers to reflect upon how they support and facilitate the play process, by providing stimulating play spaces and resources, whilst challenging assumptions, barriers and blocks to risky play.
Playworkers will then have an opportunity to 'play' by participating in a variety of workshops that will challenge and stimulate their imagination and practice to incorporate and embed risky play within their play environments and play spaces.
Create Training provides training in a supportive community learning environment for people who may have had negative experiences of formal education; or have been out of any education or training for many years and lack confidence in their skills and abilities.
Create Training are part of First Wessex, a Hampshire based housing association, who provide homes and services to local communities throughout Hampshire and parts of Surrey.
For further information or booking form please contact:
Sandy Bennett
Telephone: 07775 410 467 / 02392 896 818.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The PRO-ACTIVE London County Sports Partnership held their annual Awards Evening on Friday 26th April 2013 at the KIA Oval, hosting a mixture of grassroots coaches and volunteers and elite athletes and that represent London's sporting landscape. The Awards, sponsored by GLL, are the only regional awards which celebrate the contribution of thousands of people, the majority of whom are volunteers, and who make it possible for so many people to take part.
The 280 guests in attendance were treated to a keynote speech from Alan Watkinson, former PE teacher of Mo Farah, who recounted stories of the young athlete's rise from reluctant cross-country runner to double Olympic Champion. The evening also hosted the UEFA Champions League and Women's Champions League trophies, with both finals due to take place in London in May. But the highlight of the evening was six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir receiving the Inspirational Sports Performance Award, and presenting his long-term coach Jenny Archer with the Elite Coach of the Year Award.
David and Jenny closed the evening with a Q&A session, where they recognised the importance of community sport, embodied by the many coaches and volunteers in attendance, and discussed their new Weir Archer Academy which aims to offer top-class coaching and facilities to aspiring young disabled and able-bodied athletes.
Christine Double, Director of PRO-ACTIVE South London said "Following London's incredible Olympic and Paralympic year, the PRO-ACTIVE London Awards area fantastic opportunity to reward the excellent work undertaken in community sport to deliver a lasting legacy. Recognising coaches, volunteers, clubs and sports projects alongside last years' heroes such as David Weir emphasises the importance of grassroots sport in offering sports participation to all."
This year the PRO-ACTIVE London Awards received over 700 nominations and were attended by 280 guests, including seven former Olympic or Paralympians.
Inspirational Sports Performance – Sponsored by Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Winner: David Weir
David Weir CBE is a wheelchair athlete and multi-Paralympic champion who reached new heights in 2012 by winning four Gold medals at the London Paralympic Games and, in the process, helping to raise the profile of disability sport to a new level. His achievements were recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours list, as he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and shortlisted for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year.
Born in South London, David's career has been heavily linked with his home city. As a teenager he represented the Borough of Sutton in the London Youth games, for which he was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2010. He also took part in the London Marathon's Junior Wheelchair Race, winning it seven times. David's dominance of the event continued into the Men's event, which he has won on six occasions prior to competing again this year.
David competed in his first Paralympics in Atlanta at the age of 17, before winning his first Paralympic medals – Silver in the 100m and Bronze in the 200m – in Athens in 2004. This was followed by his first Paralympic Gold's at the 2008 Beijing games in the 800m and 1500m, with another Silver (400m) and Bronze (5000m) for good measure. In between, David has won Gold medals at the 2005 IPC Athletics European Championships, the 2007 Paralympic World Cup and the 2006 and 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships.
However, despite all of his achievements, 2012 was an astonishing year for David. A sixth London Marathon victory was followed by an incredible four Gold medals at the London Paralympic Games. The breadth of his achievement is staggering, with victories in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and the marathon across only eight days. Dubbed 'The Weriwolf' by fans, David truly helped to inspire a generation.
Still hungry for more, David has targeted a seventh London Marathon this year (held last weekend) and is already looking towards the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and possibly the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. This year he has also launched the Weir Archer Academy with his long-time coach Jenny Archer, with the aim to develop a new generation of disabled athletes.
British record holder in all track disciplines and the marathon and dubbed by many coaches, commentators and rivals alike as the greatest wheelchair racer of all time, David is undoubtedly an icon of British sport and an inspiration to all Londoners.
Outstanding Contribution to Sport – Sponsored by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Winner: Sid Khan
For the last 10 years, Sid has been a key figure at the Earlsfield Boxing Club. He volunteers for 3 nights a week to open, hoover, clean up and get the gym ready for use, as well as then leading early morning runs around Richmond Park. He uses his annual leave from his own work to take the boys to tournaments and has been known to do more than 700 miles over a weekend. He always stands up, speaks up and stands by his boxers, voicing a concern when a decision has not gone their way. He regularly does what has become known as the 'milk round' after an away show to enable the younger and older members to go places as a team and to ensure the younger ones get home safely – although this may be well out of his way. He has coached boys that no one else could and made champions of them. He goes out of his way to help and encourage members to change their attitude and stay out of trouble.
Coach of the Year – Sponsored by Sports Coach UK & Gillette
Winner: Paulo Cotrim
Paulo has made a fantastic contribution to Hackney BMX Club, often running the sessions single-handedly. He was instrumental in helping the club reach over 1,000 young people in 2012. Over and above the core club sessions Paulo has been instrumental in creating excellent community links, by working within 25 different schools, of which some are now running weekly BMX sessions. In May 2012 Paulo volunteered to manage the first ever Hackney London Youth Games BMX team. During the summer he single-handedly kept the club running by coaching, keeping the registers and maintaining the equipment. Through his own efforts, he worked with the National Deaf Children's Society to organise a free BMX session – the session was fully booked and even featured on ITV's London Tonight.
Club of the Year – Sponsored by Tottenham Hotspur Foundation
Winner: Tower Hamlets BMX Club
Tower Hamlets BMX club has been a fantastic example of a community sports club since its foundation in late 2011. In 2012 alone, the club reached over 800 young people from all over the borough, with 85 of those coming on a regular weekly basis. Up until September 2012 the club was operating without access to its own BMX track. Regardless, the club volunteers met every Saturday and rode over 2 miles to the Haggerston Park BMX track. The club plays a major part within the community, running school holiday activities, major events and played a key role in the creation of the new BMX track in Mile End Park. Since the opening of the new track, the club now runs 10 sessions per week, catering for all abilities, including women and girls, disability groups and pupil referral units.
Community Project of the Year – Sponsored by sported.
Winner: Play The Game
The Play the Game project was set up by the Zesh Rehman Foundation (ZRF) in February 2012 to create structured football opportunities for young people from South Asian backgrounds living in Croydon. The sessions quickly became popular with 220 participants regularly attending the weekly sessions. From these young people, 20 have now been up skilled as young coaches/mentors who volunteer (some who are now paid) at the sessions across South London and with partner organizations, such as Crystal Palace FC and the Bangladeshi Welfare Association of Croydon. Due to the interest of the project, an 11 a-side football team called ZRF Knights FC – which is run by the volunteers from the project – was formed, of which 12 members of the team are our newly qualified coaches.
Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Skills Active
Winner: George Henry
George Henry first became involved with the Croydon Kickz programme as a young man very much on the margins of crime and anti-social behaviour. Slowly as a volunteer, he began to find a real sense of direction. Securing his FA Level 1 coaching qualification and two further awards, he became heavily involved with the programme: volunteering with the Crystal Palace Football Foundation in many roles, including leading the Heal the Streets football tournament; successfully developing partnerships around the Run-Dem Crew initiative; writing a successful funding bid and setting up his own youth charity. He has also represented the foundation at the Momentum Youth Conference and set up a young leaders programme.
Young Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Fulham Football Club Foundation
Winner: Abda Kazemi
Abda is an exceptionally talented and passionate individual who is dedicated to community volunteering, with hundreds of hours of sports volunteering logged through her school, primary schools, clubs and competitions. She has achieved over 400 hours of volunteering, including running a dance club in her local primary school, organising sports competitions and mentoring other sports leaders in her school. In December, Abda was chosen to represent YST in Doha, Qatar to launch the Lead your Generation programme. In addition to sports volunteering, Abda is a member of the UK Youth Parliament, a reporter for the BBC School Report, Chair of the Redbridge Youth Council and a Peer Mentor.
Inclusive & Active Champion – Sponsored by Interactive and the Greater London Authority
Winner: Fiona Healy & Hannah Chapman
Fiona and Hannah have gone above and beyond the expectations of their roles as Volunteer Club Co-ordinator and Club Secretary at disability athletics club Hackney Hurricanes. The continually growing membership and well attended events speaks volumes for their effort, commitment and understanding of inclusion. This can be demonstrated through their work with England Athletics to help create an associated mainstream club, which will lead to truly inclusive opportunities for all athletes. By doing outreach at disabled people's organisations and respite centres, they have also shown an understanding that to increase participation amongst disabled people it is vital to ask disabled people themselves.
Education Partner of the Year – Sponsored by Create Development
Winner: University of East London
Over the period of the last 12 months UEL have been instrumental in changing people's lives within East London. One of these examples can be found in the development and delivery of the innovative, inclusive programme Chairs in the Community. The ambitious and highly successful programme has provided access for over 3,000 local participants to use 40 Motivation Sports Wheelchairs, which has resulted in the delivery of over 200 inclusive wheelchair sport sessions, as well as the development of over 60 volunteers. UEL are also a key partner in the Sport Makers programme, East London Talent Coaching Breakfasts and are an active member of the Strategic Regeneration Framework Sports Groups.
PRO-ACTIVE Partners of the Year:
North Winner: Saracens
PRO-ACTIVE North London has decided to award Saracens the Partner of the Year Award for their all-round commitment to developing community sport in the last 12 months. Herman Beetge, Operations Manager at Saracens, was instrumental in the link between the GLA and their Team London Ambassadors to create a dedicated and enthusiastic workforce to enhance the Matchday experience of spectators at Allianz Park. With the help of the Sport Makers programme this has resulted in 250 Pioneers who have since contributed at least 10 hours of volunteering at the club.
Saracens have been very supportive of the idea of developing a new triathlon club based at their new venue and have assisted in organising a triathlon event. Thanks to Saracens one of our team members, together with British triathlon, are now working on this project with the hope of seeing in the future a new club open to all. Saracens have been heavily involved in our Sportivate programme, delivering a successful cheerleading project that established cheerleading activities in two new North London schools with over 50 girls regularly participating in them. This builds on the successful Saracens Schools of Cheer programme that has engaged over 250 girls in schools across Barnet. The club have also delivered a successful rugby project into schools linking rugby clubs across Barnet. It is for these reasons that they are a deserving recipient of the award.
West Winner: Brunel University
Brunel University has hosted PRO-ACTIVE West London since its creation in 2006 and has proved to be an outstanding partner, in every sense of the word. The University has world class sports facilities, a prestigious sports science department and are a leading light in sports related academic research. PAWL have benefited greatly in each of these areas, accessing fantastic sports facilities to run sessions for the wider community, working with sports science on mutually beneficial internships and student placements and developing sports research projects, with the University and external community sport partners. The partnership with the University has always been mutually beneficial and through PAWL the University has been able to further develop its community sports network across West London, leading to a number of exciting new projects and partnerships. One of these being the annual Street Games Festival held at the University, which allows a large number of disadvantaged young people from West London to access world class sports facilities, normally used by athletes such as Usain Bolt. The University have been integral to the success of PAWL and are worthy winners of the Partner of the Year award.
Central Winner: London South Bank University's Academy of Sport
Since PRO-ACTIVE Central London formed in 2006, London South Bank University's Academy of Sport has been an invaluable partner. More than just a host, LSBU has provided infrastructure and resources vital to the partnership. The Academy of Sport is a community sport hub providing courses, facilities and a base for 17 community sport organisations, including PRO-ACTIVE Central London. LSBU also supports workplace health providing hosted organisations with subsidised access to facilities and programmes. During 2012 the Academy worked closely with PRO-ACTIVE Central to develop an integrated coach education programme for both students and partner organisations, delivering 24 courses to over 300 participants. LSBU students have also supported the partnership. Through Sport Makers, 22 sports team officers now signpost students towards local community clubs for mutual benefit. LSBU student ambassadors have provided project support and gained work experience. The Academy of Sport Director has also provided a significant input into the development of PRO-ACTIVE London through the Interim Steering Group. The partnership between PRO-ACTIVE Central London and LSBU has been a huge and vital asset to our work for sport and physical activity. We would like to thank the LSBU Academy of Sport for their continued dedication and support.
East Winner: London Legacy Development Corporation
Over the last year PRO-ACTIVE East London has worked with countless committees and deserving partners during such a unique time for East London. With the gold-dust of the games settling, the PAEL Award goes this year to a partner whose support has fundamentally changed the way in which the partnership operates. The London Legacy Development Corporation has played a pivotal role in supporting PAEL to develop and deliver a variety of new legacy projects, working closely with the team as well as key partners and individuals. The organisation has embodied the spirit of partnership working and done their utmost to integrate legacy outcomes within an already well-established community sports offer. The impact the organisation has had on the PAEL team has been immense. They have encouraged and supported them to operate in a radically different way and as a result they have become more astute, and developed better clarity of purpose. The partnership has allowed them to understand and maximise opportunities to engage and bring new opportunities to East Londoners. The London Legacy Development Corporation has been integral to the success they have seen in recent projects, and this is the reason why they have recognised them as the highly regarded Partner of the Year. Their shared passion to create a legacy for the 2012 games for community sport is something that they value above all else.
South Winner: PRO-ACTIVE Bromley
PRO-ACTIVE South London's Partner of the Year has gone from strength to strength since they re-organised and re-structured 2 years ago. In that time they have attracted a significant number of new and active members, developed a borough-wide strategy for sport and physical activity and a facilities strategy, bid for additional internal and external funding to support specific areas of need identified by partners, run two annual sports forums for over 75 people each time and organised a major legacy festival last summer celebrating the legacy of the 2012 Games, attracting over 1,500 people, resulting in over 130 new participants attending ongoing sporting activities set up by 12 local partners as part of the Get Active South London programme. Driven largely by three key partners, the Local Authority, the Leisure Trust (mytimeactive) and the voluntary Sports Council, (Sport Bromley), with an highly respected and influential Independent Chair, our partner of the year has even attracted the full support of the CEO of Bromley Council, who has been inspired to retake his handball coaching qualification and set up a new handball club in the borough as part of his commitment to the Olympic legacy - and to show his support for P-ASL Partner of the Year for 2013 – Pro-Active Bromley.
This spring saw the European Health & Fitness Association (EHFA) Annual General Assembly took place in Cologne and was attended by SkillsActive’s CEO, Ian Taylor and John Greenway, President of REPs.
The event covered a range of particularly engaging topics, including social dialogue, anti-doping, qualifications and the EHFA Standards Council.
The EHFA is working with four national fitness industry associations to launch EHFA-E, which will allow European employer members to represent the active leisure sector in the current EU Social Dialogue DG Employment.
The active leisure sector is currently being looked at as part of a large-scale review on Directive 2005/36 EC, which aims to give mutual recognition of qualifications throughout the EU.
In other positive news, EU level 4 Pilates Instructor (UK level 3) and EU level 5 Pre Diabetes Exercise Specialist (UK level 4) have now been approved by the Standards Council.
Following from the Cologne event is the Annual EHFA Fitness Forum and National Fitness Association meeting is planned for 8-9th December in Amsterdam. REPs President John Greenway has been asked to make a presentation at this meeting to reflect on current EU developments as they affect the active leisure sector.
The AASE-Zine is our monthly newsletter on the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence.
It brings you the latest news on our star performing AASE athletes, as well useful updates on the apprenticeship framework.
If you have a story or message that you would like published in one of our upcoming issues, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Salary: Circa £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience.
Based: Head Office, Central London
Full time, 37.5 Hours per week
The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) is seeking to recruit a high quality Compliance and Standards Manager, to further enhance and develop the technical expertise within the Registers team.
This is a new and exciting role which is integral to ensuring compliance of our application processes and adherence to operating procedures alongside supporting the Registrar. This role will support from a technical perspective, the continued work of SkillsActive to grow the status of REPs, build on its reputation and enhance the value it offers to employers, employees and the public.
You will be largely stakeholder facing and will be the operational expert in all components relating to fitness professionals standards and qualifications. You will be required to attend and present at conferences, technical expert groups and stakeholder meetings with the ability to disseminate technical information in layman's terms to the wider business.
Your experience of working within the Health and Fitness industry alongside your ability to confidently solve problems whilst working and communicating effectively with all staff and client groups to achieve positive results will ensure success in this role.
For more information on this role see the: Job Description and Person Specification
To apply for this role
Please submit the following:-
1. Comprehensive curriculum vitae.
2. Covering letter setting out how you meet the job and person specification and clearly stating your expected salary. (2 pages maximum).
PLEASE NOTE - Applications without covering letter supporting application will not be reviewed.
3. Please complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Forms. Information given on this form will not be used as part of the selection process and will be treated as strictly confidential.
Email application to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Closing Date: Midday, 20th May 2013
Unfortunately we are not able to respond to all applicants, if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date please assume your application was not successful.
Skillsactive is working in partnership with Sports Marketing Network to help develop ‘The right skills for community sport’.
The partnership will deliver a national event which aims to develop understanding as to whether training and education providers, are helping to up-skill employees and volunteers in community sport. With the new opportunities and challenges that are created by both changes in people’s lives and the current economic situation, there has never been a better time to understand if the right skills for delivery are being acquired by activity facilitators to meet the needs of community sport today.
The one-day event bringing together providers from across sport and active leisure sector with employers and partners - sharing ideas, inspiration and experiences
It will address issues such as:
Date: 4th July,
Location: English Institute of Sport, Sheffield.
We would welcome your attendance to the event which will help to form the evolving landscape of community sport.
Last year, Doug Richard was commissioned by the Government to undertake a review of apprenticeships in England. Richard’s report came out in November 2012, with the Government publishing its response to the review during Apprenticeship Week 2013. The government is now asking employers across all sectors to participate in a consultation to understand how best to implement all recommendations from the Richard review.
The Government is in full support of the Review’s recommendations and anticipates the first changes being seen by 2014/15 with early adopting sectors, and with others following to adopt by 2015/16.The Government has set out a number of proposals (high in number with limited details) in response and are now consulting on these proposals.
SkillsActive wishes to consult with employers to inform our response. The consultation is open until 22 May 2013. More detailed plans and timescales for implementation are expected by autumn 2013.
If you would like to take part in the consultation please click here.
Highlights of key points and impications can be found here.
Independent Member of the Audit Governance and Risk Committee
Non-remunerate (Reasonable expenses paid)
Based: Head Office, Central London (occasional travel out of london may be required)
SkillsActive are looking to recruit Independent Member of the Audit Governance and Risk Committee.
The Audit Governance and Risk Committee is the principal sub-committee of the Board of Trustees. Independent members are required to provide the Committee with a mix of accounting, financial, risk management, information assurance, audit and corporate governance advice to enable the Committee to provide appropriate scrutiny and advice to the Board.
The Audit Committee operates under specific terms of reference authorised by the Board and meets 4 times a year to monitor and offer advice on appropriate standards for risk management and internal control and to review matters connected with audit and the provision of internal controls assurance. Meetings are usually held in London.
An independent member is required to provide the committee with a mix of specialist accounting, financial, risk management, information assurance, audit and corporate governance advice to enable the committee to provide appropriate scrutiny and advice to the Council.
For more information on this role see the: Job Description and Person Specification
To apply for this role
Please submit the following:-
1. Comprehensive curriculum vitae.
2. Covering letter setting out how you meet the job and person specification and clearly stating your expected salary. (2 pages maximum).
Email application to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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