SkillsActive welcomes the Government’s Fair Play strategy consultation for England.

Leonie Wilson, SkillsActive - 03/04/2008

The strategy is based on the claim that ‘play should be at the heart of children’s everyday lives and experiences through childhood’ and this is something that is also at the heart of the SkillsActive playwork unit.

The strategy calls for a professionalised workforce and the SkillsActive playwork unit is committed to delivering this. The playwork unit works alongside playwork employers, training providers, policy makers and individuals to ensure that playworkers are trained to the highest standards, and that their training is recognised across the industry.

In response to the strategy released today, Chris Martin, Playwork Policy manager for SkillsActive says:

“This strategy heralds an extremely exciting time for play and playwork and what’s particularly exciting for us at SkillsActive are the commitments to supporting the growth of playwork into a more highly qualified and respected profession.

As well as enabling an additional 4000 playworkers to achieve level 3 qualification, introducing measures to support continuing professional development of leaders and managers, and exploring how a graduate core can be of most benefit, I welcome the invitation to the playwork workforce to take their rightful place as ‘part of the key team around each child’.

The strategy calls for the playwork workforce to rise to the occasion, and I have every confidence in the dedication and commitment of the workforce to deliver success.

Another important link that the strategy makes is that between play, outdoor activities and organised sport. As the Sector Skills Councils covering these, we are excited about the opportunity of working across the three areas.

Skills and knowledge of play is highlighted throughout the document as essential for planners, parents, local authorities, and indeed all those who interact with children in their play. This is an area that SkillsActive is expert in, and looks forward to contributing to raising the awareness and skills of all those who need to understand play, whether they are Directors of Children’s Services or parents volunteering in an inclusive holiday playscheme.”