A playworker’s role is to support and facilitate children’s play.

They work to create an environment in which children are free to choose how and what they play. They do not usually organise children into structured activities.

The Playwork Principles provide an ethical and professional framework for playwork, that is much respected within the playwork profession.

Playwork Principles

These principles establish the professional and ethical framework for playwork and as such must be regarded as a whole.

They describe what is unique about play and playwork, and provide the playwork perspective for working with children and young people.

They are based on the recognition that children and young people’s capacity for positive development will be enhanced if given access to the broadest range of environments and play opportunities.

1. All children and young people need to play. The impulse to play is innate. Play is a biological, psychological and social necessity, and is fundamental to the healthy development and well-being of individuals and communities.

2. Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. That is, children and young people determine and control the content and intent of their play, by following their own instincts, ideas and interests, in their own way for their own reasons.

3. The prime focus and essence of playwork is to support and facilitate the play process and this should inform the development of play policy, strategy, training and education.

4. For playworkers, the play process takes precedence and playworkers act as advocates for play when engaging with adult-led agendas.

5. The role of the playworker is to support all children and young people in the creation of a space in which they can play.

6. The playworker's response to children and young people playing is based on a sound, up to date knowledge of the play process, and reflective practice.

7. Playworkers recognise their own impact on the play space and also the impact of children and young people’s play on the playworker.

8. Playworkers choose an intervention style that enables children and young people to extend their play. All playworker intervention must balance risk with the developmental benefit and well-being of children.

www.skillsactive.com/playwork/principles

 

Playworkers in community play provision can:

• encourage children to play outside more freely
• support children’s play by providing access to materials, equipment and people
• reduce children’s fears of bullying
• help children feel they have someone to talk to and turn to for advice
• bring together children, parents and other organisations in the community
• change the way people think about play and the way it is provided
• adhere to Playwork Principles 

Playwork training and qualifications

Most playworkers are trained on the job by their employer and expected to work towards one of several recognised qualifications in playwork.

As well as NVQs at Levels 2 and 3 there are courses leading to higher education qualifications at diploma and degree level in playwork.

SkillsActive is the Sector Skills Council leading on playwork training and education in playwork. SkillsActive works with deliverers and suppliers of vocational education to meet the skills and training needs of the sector and are responsible for developing National Occupational Standards in Playwork.

SkillsActive has developed Pathways to Playwork, an on-line tool to provide access to information about sector-approved qualifications and endorsed playwork training courses provided by quality assured training provision for the play workforce.

The Active Passport for Playwork provides a tool for people to keep a record of their own employment history and qualifications. This can also be a practical way of keeping a record of voluntary experience, which is especially useful for young volunteers and those who may progress into employed playwork.

There are a number of regional bodies providing training and education in playwork. Contact your local council or play association to find out about courses and training in your area.

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Tools and information

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Organisations