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 General Comment notes that, "environments in which play and recreational opportunities are available to all children provide the conditions for creativity; opportunities to exercise competence through self-initiated play enhance motivation, physical activity and skill development". The General Comment therefore recognises that play is essential to the health and well-being of children.
It goes on to state that these "benefits are diminished, particularly in developing creativity, leadership and team spirit if control by adults is so pervasive that it undermines children's own efforts to organise and conduct their play activities".
Of particular relevance is the statement that "Article 31 rights are being denied for children in many parts of the world as a consequence of an emphasis on formal academic success", with the UN Committee highlighting that "early childhood education is increasingly focused on academic targets and formal learning at the expense of participation in play and attainment of broader development outcomes."
Lesli Godfrey, UK Strategic Lead for Playwork and the Children's Workforce at SkillsActive says:
"This is something for the government to consider, coming at a time when they are proposing a new 'early years educator' role for people working with under 6s, and particularly in the face of recent Department of Education research which found that educational input for 2 year olds has no significant impact on their outcomes at 5 years old. Playworkers are the most appropriately qualified staff to ensure that children up to 16 years old gain access to their Article 31 right to play freely, without adult direction and control.
"I'd also like to highlight the role which The International Play Association in the publication of The General Comment as they were instrumental in its development."
The General Comment obliges signatories to adopt a wide range of measures to ensure Article 31 rights are fulfilled both at national and local levels. It strongly encourages the adoption of legislation to address the principle of sufficiency of provision, the development of a dedicated policy to address these rights and a national plan of action for their implementation.
Mae SkillsActive Cymru wedi cytuno rhaglen o waith ar y cyd â Chwaraeon Cymru a fydd yn fodd i gyflwyno rhaglen helaeth tros y flwyddyn sydd ar ddod. Mae'n bleser hefyd gan SkillsActive Cymru eu bod wedi sicrhau cyllid gan Gynllun Peilot Cronfa Blaenoriaethau Sector Llywodraeth Cymru (SPFP) er mwy datblygu defnyddiau dysgu ac addysgu arloesol ar gyfer y cymhwyster lefel 3 Egwyddorion Gwaith Chwarae ar Waith (P3).
Bydd y buddsoddiad gan Chwaraeon Cymru yn dylanwadu'n llesol iawn ar ddarpariaeth Cynllun Busnes SkillsActive Cymru 2012-13 a bydd yn sicrhau ymwneud llawn gan gyflogwyr Cymru drwy'r holl sector Hamdden Egnïol, Dysgu a Lles.
Bydd cyllid Chwaraeon Cymru yn mynd tuag at nifer o fentrau y mae SkillsActive Cymru eisoes wedi dechrau eu gweithredu. Mae'r rhain yn cynnwys:
• Cynhyrchu Adroddiad Blynyddol ar Gyflwr y Diwydiant ar gyfer Cymru, a fydd yn trafod bylchau a phrinderau penodol i'r sector
• Datblygu Un Fframwaith Cymwysterau wedi ei lunio a'i gytuno gyda phrif randdeiliaid yng Nghymru
• Cynnydd yn nifer aelodau REP Cymru (Cofrestr y gweithwyr ymarfer proffesiynol) o 1000 i 1100, a chynnydd o 10% yn nifer y cyflogwyr yng Nghymru sy'n cofrestru gydag REP a chynnydd o 5% yn nifer yr hyfforddwyr sydd â chymhwyster lefel 3.
• Hyrwyddo pwysigrwydd Pasbortau 'Active' ar draws y sector.
Dyma'r sylw a gafwyd gan Richard Todd, Rheolwr SkillsActive, ynglŷn â buddsoddiad Chwaraeon Cymru:
"Mae SkillsActive Cymru wedi cynnal perthynas weithio iach gyda Chwaraeon Cymru ers oddeutu 10 mlynedd. Bydd y gweithgareddau y cytunwyd iddynt fod yn rhan o'r rhaglen hon yn dylanwadu'n llesol iawn ar Weledigaeth Chwaraeon Cymru ar gyfer Chwaraeon ac yn enwedig hefyd yr 'elfen o weithlu medrus a llawn angerdd', ac ar y cyd-destun strategol sydd wedi ei amlinellu yn nogfen Llywodraeth Cymru 'Creu Cymru Egnïol."
Bydd Cynllun Peilot Cronfa Blaenoriaethau Sector Llywodraeth Cymru y mae SkillsActive Cymru hefyd wedi llwyddo i'w sicrhau, yn gymorth anferthol gyda chyflenwi hyfforddiant gwaith chwarae ledled Cymru, trwy sicrhau bod sgiliau a hyfforddiant digonol gan y gweithlu a bod ganddynt yr adnoddau cywir.
Nod y prosiect yw datblygu a chwblhau defnyddiau dysgu ac addysgu dwyieithog ar gyfer y cymhwyster Lefel 3 a ddatblygwyd yn ddiweddar, sef 'Egwyddorion Gwaith Chwarae ar Waith' project aims to develop and finalise bilingual learning and teaching materials for the recently (P3).
Bydd y cyllid yn fodd i SkillsActive Cymru arwain y gwaith o ddatblygu cyfres gyflawn o adnoddau ar gyfer y Dyfarniad, y Dystysgrif a'r Diploma a fydd yn hyrwyddo dysgu o'r radd flaenaf. Bydd hyfforddwyr sy'n darparu cymwysterau Gwaith Chwarae Lefel 2 ar hyn o bryd yn cael eu huwchsgilio hefyd, a fydd yn fodd iddynt fwrw ymlaen â darparu lefel 3 ar raddfa eang ledled Cymru.
Dyma'r sylw a gafwyd ynglŷn â chyllid ar gyfer gwaith chwarae gan Debbie Willett, Rheolwr Technegol SkillsActive, Gwledydd Prydain:
"Mae Mesur Plant a Theuluoedd (Cymru) yn gosod dyletswydd ar bob awdurdod lleol i ddarparu digon o gyfleoedd i chwarae ar gyfer plant a phobl ifanc a bydd yn creu mwy o alw am gymwysterau yn y sector gwaith chwarae. Felly, bydd y prosiect hwn yn dylanwadu'n gadarnhaol ar y datblygiad strategol hwn a bydd yn gyfraniad sylweddol at fynd i'r afael â'r prinderau sgiliau sy'n bodoli ledled Cymru."
Mae darparu cymwysterau gwaith chwarae yn dal i fod yn ei ddyddiau cynnar yng Nghymru, felly bydd cynhyrchu'r adnoddau hyn yn dylanwadu'n llesol iawn ar ddatblygiad y seilwaith gwaith chwarae. Yn y pen draw, bydd dysgwyr yn elwa ar y datblygiadau hyn a byddant yn gallu datblygu ymhellach ar eu sgiliau gwaith chwarae.
Bydd y buddsoddiadau yn dod ag amrywiaeth gyflawn o fanteision i'r sectorau chwaraeon, ffitrwydd a gwaith chwarae yng Nghymru, rhai y bydd y gweithlu a'r cyhoedd yn ogystal yn elwa arnynt.
SkillsActive Wales has agreed a mutual programme of work with Sport Wales which will enable the delivery of an extensive programme over the coming year. SkillsActive Wales is also happy to have secured funding from the Welsh Government Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) to develop innovative learning and teaching materials for the level 3 Playwork Principles into Practice (P3) qualification.
The investment from Sport Wales will have a positive impact on the delivery of the SkillsActive Wales Business Plan 2012-13 and will ensure the full involvement of Welsh employers across the Active Leisure, Learning and Well-being sector.
The Sport Wales funding will go towards a number of initiatives which SkillsActive Wales has already begun to implement. These include:
• The production of an Annual State of the Industry Report for Wales, exploring sector specific gaps and shortages
• The development of a Single Qualification Framework, produced and agreed with key stakeholders in Wales
• An increase in REPs Wales members from 1000 to 1100, plus a 10% increase in the number of Welsh employers registering with REPs and a 5% increase in the number of instructors holding a level 3 qualification
• Promoting the importance of Active Passports across the sector.
In relation to the Sport Wales investment, SkillsActive Manager Richard Tobutt commented:
"SkillsActive Wales has maintained a healthy working relationship with Sport Wales for around 10 years. The activities agreed as part of this programme will positively impact on both the Sport Wales Vision for Sport, and particularly the 'skilled and passionate workforce strand', and the strategic context outlined in the Welsh Government 'Creating an Active Wales' document."
The Welsh Government Sector Priorities Fund Pilot also secured by SkillsActive Wales will massively assist playwork training delivery across Wales, by ensuring that the workforce is adequately skilled, trained and possesses the correct resources.
The project aims to develop and finalise bilingual learning and teaching materials for the recently developed Level 3 qualification entitled 'Playwork Principles into Practice' (P3).
The funding will allow SkillsActive Wales to lead the development of a full suite of resources for the Award, Certificate and Diploma which will promote high quality learning. Trainers currently delivering level 2 Playwork qualifications will also be upskilled, allowing them to progress the wide scale delivery of level 3 across Wales.
Concerning playwork funding, SkillsActive Technical Manager, Home Countries, Debbie Willets comments:
"The Children and Families (Wales) Measure places a duty on each local authority to provide sufficient play opportunities for children and young people and will increase the demand for qualifications within the playwork sector. Therefore, this project will have a positive impact on this strategic development and will go some of the way to address the skills shortages that exist across Wales."
Playwork qualification delivery is in its infancy in Wales, therefore the production of these resources will have a positive impact on the development of the playwork infrastructure. Ultimately, learners will benefit from these developments and will be able to further develop their playwork skills.
The investments will bring a whole range of benefits to the sport, fitness and playwork sectors in Wales, benefitting both the workforce and the general public.
A General Comment is an official statement that elaborates on the meaning of an aspect of the UNCRC that requires further interpretation or emphasis. The General Comment will define all elements of Article 31 and explain their importance in the growth and development of children and their impact on children's overall wellbeing.
Article 31 ensures that 'State Parties recognise the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities ... and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.'
The General Comment will provide guidance to the governments of the 192 countries (States Parties) that are signatories.
The General Comment aims to:
• Enhance understanding of the importance of Article 31 for children's well-being and development
• Provide interpretation to States Parties of the provisions, and consequent obligations, associated with Article 31
• Provide guidance on the legislative, judicial, administrative, social and educational measures necessary to ensure its implementation for all children without discrimination and on the basis of equality of opportunity
SkillsActive's UK Strategic Lead for Playwork and the Children's Workforce, Lesli Godfrey, said:
'SkillsActive welcomes the news that the United Nations has adopted the General Comment on Article 31 of the Convention on the Right's of the Child. Too often and for too long, governments have neglected to recognize that play is vitally important in helping children to reach their full potential in ways that education cannot. By providing play opportunities for children in their out of school hours we can, in time, see the resulting positive impact on the economy, the health of the nation and social cohesion. '
The award, established in honour of the former Head of Play at SkillsActive and a well-loved member of the playwork family, aims to recognise an individual who has made a significant contribution to the play and playwork sector. There are 4 other award categories: training provider, playwork writer, local development: sustaining front line playwork and playwork team.
If you'd like to make a nomination, the please follow this link to see the criteria and submit your form. The closing date for nominations is 31 January 2013. And while you're there, why not consider coming to the conference to see if your nominee wins an Award?
The conference is taking place on 5 and 6 March at the Winter Gardens, Eastbourne where there will be a wide variety of workshops, speakers, exhibitors and opportunities to network. SkillsActive will have a stand and be offering two workshops there, providing you with your chance to tell us what you need.
To book your place at the conference, follow this link
The strategy will set out the Scottish government's vision for play and will outline the action they are taking to achieve it. The key aim will be the embedding of play within children's services through the forthcoming Children and Young People's Bill.
The Scottish government will be consulting with key partners across the play sector to achieve this, with an aim of publishing their eventual strategy in 2013.
Aileen Campbell The Minister for Children and Young People commented saying that:
"I'm committed to supporting our children and families so they get the best start in life and go on to thrive and flourish."
"And a central part of getting it right in the early years is play. Although clearly (and rightly) centred on fun, play is also hugely important to a child's development and key to their physical, cognitive and social development."
The strategy will pull together and build on work previously undertaken within the play sector. It is hoped that through this the value of play will be recognised throughout society and national awareness regarding its benefits will be raised.
As far as we are aware, this is the first time that a government has made it a statutory duty to provide play opportunities for their younger citizens.
The Play Sufficiency Duty comes as part of the Welsh Governments anti-poverty agenda which recognises that children can have a poverty of experience, opportunity and aspiration, and that this kind of poverty can affect children from all social, cultural and economic backgrounds across Wales.
Congratulations to Play Wales staff who have worked closely with the Welsh Government to reach this goal.
The new Dragon Multi-Skills and Sport blueprint, for children at key stages 1 and 2 (primary school ages 5-11), will be used in schools, sports clubs and community settings such as leisure centres.
A similar scheme is already run in Canada, New Zealand and Australia where practitioners have found a good grounding in basic agility, balance and co-ordination skills leads to greater competency, and enjoyment, across all sports.
Chair of Sport Wales, Laura McAllister, said: "We want more children playing sport to a higher standard and more children having the skills to take part in sport and physical activity through their lives.
"It's important that children have the right skills as young as possible because it sets them on the path for better sporting experiences.
"At the moment we have pockets of excellent practice in developing the skills of children but we want to make that consistent across the board."
Contact SkillsActive | Work for SkillsActive | Our Board | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility
SkillsActive UK is a registered charity no. 1098336 and a company limited by guarantee registered in
England and Wales no. 4661021, registered office Castlewood House, 77-91 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DG.
© 2013 SkillsActive
