Playwork, Education & Training

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National

Playwork vocational qualifications are changing

The new level 2 playwork qualification has been rolled out throughout the UK recently. It incorporates a 3 tiered approach to gaining the qualification, an award, a certificate and finally the diploma. Levels 3 and 4 in playwork are hoping to be available later in the year.

For more information have a look at the article in the new issue of Play Today (issue 70 Summer 2010) or visit the Skills active website.

The current Playwork NVQs (levels 2,3 and 4) will continue to be available for registration until 31st December 2010. No one will be able to register for an NQF NVQ in Playwork after this date. Once registered, candidates usually have 3 years to complete their qualification and claim certification, but this depends on the awarding organisation. Therefore, it should be possible for someone to register for an NVQ in mid December this year. However, the LSC has stated that funding will be switched to new QCF qualifications as they are accredited, in favour of current NQF qualifications, so public funding might be hard to find for NVQs in the coming months. The NVQs in Playwork will continue to be accepted as 'full and relevant' for practice in early years and childcare registered settings.

For details visit the SkillsActive website or click here

The New Playwork Level 2 Qualification - details available here

Progression Pathways in Playwork - details available here

How will the qualifications be funded?

LSC has yet to confirm this for definite as they keep changing the criteria for funding, and no qualification’s fundability will be confirmed by LSC until an awarding organisation has received accreditation for it by Ofqual. However, as things stand at the time of writing, it looks like the following will probably be the case for 19+ learners:

Award – LSC has now announced it will not fund any Award sized qualification at level 2 or above.

Certificate – This should be fundable under Adult Learner Responsive funding as working towards full competence.

Diploma – This should be fundable under Train to Gain funding, plus (if delivered in a college setting) under Adult Learner Responsive funding. However only the minimum credit value of 61 credits can be funded – for any learner selecting optional units which give a total credit value of more than 61, the credits above 61 will not be funded.

For 14-19 learners:

Award – This should be fundable as it will form part of the apprenticeship framework.

Certificate – This should be fundable as it will form part of the apprenticeship framework.

Diploma – This should be fundable as it will form part of the apprenticeship framework.

This information is up to date at the time of uploading to the website. SkillsActive can not be responsible for the accuracy of information provided by other agencies.

Further Questions and Answers on the New Playwork Level 2 - click here

Playwork survey highlights trends in sector

A brand new report, released 21st July 2010, shows that many playwork employers cannot find the staff with the skills they need.

Playwork People 4, SkillsActive’s survey of playworkers and playwork employers, shows that 60 per cent of employers surveyed said that they do not have all the skills they need across their workforce to run their business as they would like.

Yorkshire Play Open Day

Read the Blog produced by Becky Johnson from Eureka on the Fire Play Demonstation:

Eureka - 9th June 2010

Play Links

Risk-Benefit Assessment Workshop and Support

Playday Magazine - Young Reporters required:

We are seeking young reporters for our Playday 2010 magazine.

In a repeat of last year’s success, and to help celebrate Playday 2010, we are recruiting a team of young reporters to cover the campaign for a special Playday 2010 magazine that will feature stories, photos and all the excitement from the big day across the UK.

What it involves:
The team of young reporters will help us build a picture of how Playday is celebrated across the UK. The reporters can get involved in a number of ways.

Individuals, or small teams, can:
• Write a review of a Playday event.
• Take photos at a Playday event.
• Conduct an interview e.g. with an adult or young person who has organised a Playday event, special guests at an event, or local decision makers, adults, children or young people.
• Write a comment piece about this year’s Our place campaign.

For more ideas, download last year’s magazine from the ‘Media’ pages on the Playday website at http://www.playday.org.uk.

Although we can't pay contributors, they will get a chance to see their work in print in the Playday 2010 magazine to be published in September. Due to space constraints, we can’t publish all contributions in the magazine, but will do our best to publish those we are not able to use on at the Playday website.

Play England staff will be available to offer advice and support those who would like to get involved.

How to become a young reporter:
Children and young people (or an adult on their behalf) can simply email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it including their name, age (we are looking for children and young people of all ages), telephone number, contact email, and details about how they want to be involved.

Further information and advice about becoming a young reporter will be sent out to those who respond.

Earlyarts warmly invite you to apply for Phase 2 Pathfinders

For more information please click here

Level 2 Health and Safety in a Youth Work Setting

This course will provide delegates a clear understanding of the legal requirements upon them to ensure a safe environment for themselves, volunteers and young people. Delegates will cover the following areas:-