Different types of staff and volunteers
The presence of adults who understand the importance of
encouraging and supporting children’s free play helps create a
secure atmosphere, encouraging children of differing ages,
abilities, interests and cultures to enjoy playing in their local
neighbourhoods.
There are many people in the community who can play a range of
roles, including parents, young people and other residents,
qualified playworkers and play rangers, friends of parks groups,
neighbourhood wardens, and police and community support
officers.
Informal supervision
A responsible adult, informally supervising a
play area or park will help to improve safety, even if his or her
role is not related to play activities.
That’s because children will know there is someone they can ask
for help. An adult can inhibit bullying or other anti-social
behaviour simply by being present. Informal supervision could be by
qualified playworkers or park rangers, members of a ‘friends of the
park’ management group, community police patrols, maintenance
staff, or even adults sitting in a café at a space designed for
people of all ages. Responsible adults can also lend a hand in
keeping the area in good condition.
Remember tackling serious safety issues, or crime, should only
be attempted by those who are trained to do so. A responsible adult
supervising a public space can call upon these services if
necessary.
Staffing play provision
Staffed play provision can also be a focus for
the community, promoting well-being and social cohesion amongst
local people.
Employing trained and qualified playworkers to staff the
provision can offer a more diverse, exciting and challenging range
of play opportunities and experiences than informally supervised or
unsupervised play areas.
Staffed play provision can include holiday play schemes, play
rangers, play centres and staffed adventure playgrounds. Some
staffed play provision offers parents formal childcare, but it may
also offer a space where children are free to come and go without
fees, and where their play is not directed by adults.
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Tools and information
Careers Play Wales provide brief summaries of key job roles in playwork.
Connexions Direct Connexions Direct provide careers advice about playwork. This describes what the work is like, hours and environment, salaries, skills and personal qualities, training and qualifications.