Why do we need Playwork England?
The provision for playwork qualifications in England has now reached a crisis point. Unsupported and unregulated, the English playwork sector is now in danger of losing its recognition as a distinct profession within the children’s workforce and being subsumed into other agendas and policies without appropriate representation and consultation with the English playwork sector.
The development of playwork training and education must reflect the modern playwork landscape and ensure that any new playwork NOS, available training or qualifications faithfully reflect the needs of the diverse playwork workforce across England. Playwork training and qualifications must therefore be built on rigorous data collection to ensure comprehensive representation and rigorous quality assurance processes (such as those achieved by a Standards Setting Organisation or SSO). Only once there is a robust and inclusive organisation which truly reflects the diverse needs of the playwork sector in England can a four nations alliance progress the healthy development of playwork education and training in the UK.
Playwork England is focused on collaboration and support; for trainers, training providers and trainees alike. We believe that in order to raise and ensure standards are high, collaboration and openness is key; doing with those in sector, not doing to them.
How does Playwork England work?
The structure of Playwork England is that of a consortium - “a group of two or more individuals that work together to achieve a common objective. Those that participate in a consortium pool resources but are otherwise only responsible for the obligations that are set out in the consortium's agreement”.
The Playwork England will hold 4 members meetings a year and membership is open to anyone who considers themselves to be a playworker, playwork trainer, playwork researcher or playwork advocate in England. This purpose of these meetings will be to consult and discuss with, share progress with, inform and be informed by members.
There is an appointed Executive Board (EB) responsible for oversight of the consortium. The founding EB will be appointed for 3 years with the intention to get the consortium operational and functioning well within the objectives, with demonstrable progress made towards aims/objectives.
The EB will be representative of the membership and will demonstrate the diverse make up of playwork in England. The EB will demonstrate geographical diversity, demographic inclusivity and represent those who have different levels of experience within playwork education and training. The EB and wider membership will actively seek to be representative of the places and settings in which playwork in England takes place demonstrating diversity of delivery representation.
Outside of the 4 members meetings, the Executive Board will meet more frequently, especially in the launch period and in response to specific pieces of work.
Anybody with an interest in playwork education and training, research and practice (particularly practicing playworkers) is welcome to join Playwork England. Just sign up on our home page!
What will Playwork England be doing?
Founding Playwork England EB members, with supporting academics and in partnership with SkillsActive as the current Standards Setting Organisation (SSO) for playwork in England, have begun to develop an annual review of the playwork workforce in England. This review will take place annually and provide robust data about the make-up, needs and priorities of the playwork sector in England. The findings from this data will be used to inform Playwork England strategy in the development of training and qualifications.
Playwork England is starting with these three broad areas of focus:
Playwork England will develop an effective and widely understood strategy which ensures that playwork maintains its distinct status and identity within England’s regulatory qualifications framework.
Playwork England will respond to the broader political and regulatory landscape of childhood and playwork in England, offering leadership in standards for the wider playwork workforce to ensure that playwork is valued and recognised as a profession across the UK.
Playwork England will seek to develop a collaborative framework of support for playwork training providers, trainers and facilitators across England.
Most importantly, Playwork England will be representative of everyone who is or believes themselves to be a playworker, playwork trainer, playwork researcher or playwork advocate in England.