Play Quest

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Play Quest Programme

The Play Quest Programme which was established in 2006 supports children’s opportunity to participate through play.  This model explores ways of listening to and respecting children by supporting them to communicate their views and make changes within services, organisations, families and communities. 

Play Quest has worked with children aged 0 – 10 years and with practitioners across a wide variety of organisations in Northern Ireland.  Through the programme opportunities are created for children to participate as decision makers about things that matter to them, whatever their age, skills, abilities or needs.  The Play Quest Team has worked in over 100 organisations such as play based afterschool provision, schools, preschools, parent and toddler groups, community groups, youth clubs, Girl Guides, Home Start, and respite disability groups. 

The Programme, which is a model of participatory practice, is based on a playwork approach. Working collaboratively with children, a team of Play Rangers model opportunities for children to participate through play.  PlayBoard believe that an essential element to promoting children’s participation is to value their decision making and spontaneous play. As the Play Quest programme focuses specifically on play it therefore builds upon participation which is naturally already present with children.

Practitioners taking part in the programme go through a process of modifying and questioning their own values, feelings, knowledge and practices and allows for reflection on these.  Play Rangers model for practitioners how environments can be changed to be more child-friendly and playful, which in turn increases the participation of children and young people.

Practitioners engage, involve and communicate with children on different levels and this is central to the work of the Play Quest programme.  The approach used encourages a shift away from focusing on individual activities to exploring how children participate as an overall approach.  The model aims to support children to plan, negotiate and resource their play and to make decisions for themselves about their play environment.  Play opportunities that offer challenge and risk-taking are also encouraged.

The model allows for the choice and control of play to stay with the children and practitioners are encouraged to stand back and not make any unnecessary interventions in the flow of play.  This low intervention is balanced by the practitioner being ready and available to respond to the needs or the invitation of the child. 

Play Quest Audit
PlayBoard believes that spaces can be made more playable for children by looking at what they offer to the playing child.  The Play Quest model audits existing provision to identify gaps and also consults with those who use it, to help make simple changes which can have a lasting impact. 

Through play children have the ultimate control and freedom to determine their own actions.  Different spaces hold different potential and they can be developed to provide wider play opportunities and more positive environments for children.  To do this effectively the Play Quest team carry out an audit that enables them to build up a layered understanding of play and playing within the organisation.  This includes auditing:

The audit also includes mapping the physical attributes of the outdoor area, which includes taking photographs.  This is then followed by observations over a period of time which allows for the Play Rangers to gain an understanding of what is happening where. Audits also include:

Quotes on Play Quest

"There was an enthusiastic response by children involved in the Play Quest activities that were well matched to the needs and interests of the children" (Education and Training Inspectorate (2009)

"Children and young people observed continue to gain enjoyment and to develop skills in decision-making processes. For example, in the Play Quest programmes children were observed solving problems, sharing ideas and communicating well with each other through the very good play activities provided by the play rangers" (Education and Training Inspectorate (2009)

"The Play Quest programme is providing a very different yet complimentary service to other programmes such as those using a youth work approach to participation, for example." (Armitage, M, 2008)

"Children are involved in choosing of games/activities of their choice and when buying new equipment.  I would like them to be more involved in the day to day organisation now.” (voluntary project manager). This is demonstrating a useful level of added value to the involvement of Play Quest."  (Armitage, M, 2008)

If you are interested in this programme click here to download the resource  or to view playquest'sfootage on Youtube click here