Training, Education & Qualifications
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Playwork within the children’s workforce
There is growing recognition and understanding of the importance of investing in children and young people. In recent times the interest and understanding of the value of play has gained momentum. The value of play has been debated in social policy and is increasingly seen as a key driver in terms of meeting outcomes.
This is evidenced in the emergence of policy frameworks that support integrated children’s services. This new vision of integrated services throughout childhood requires a programme of reform and sustained investment across the age range. Consistent with ‘Success Through Skills’ this means that thousands of qualified workers will be required to create a children’s profession based on a more unified qualifications and skills framework. This will support a more coordinated approach between professions, more flexible career paths and less fragmented services for children and families.
Where do playworkers work?
Playwork takes place in a variety of settings including childcare, daycare and youth work settings. Playwork can also be facilitated in specialist settings such as hospitals, refuges, extended school provision, children’s homes and prisons. Playwork can be taken to outdoor environments e.g. via play rangers and mobile play provision. Play happens inevitably in out- of- school provision.
There is growing recognition and understanding of the importance of investing in children and young people. In recent times the interest and understanding of the value of play has gained momentum. The value of play has been debated in social policy and is increasingly seen as a key driver in terms of meeting outcomes.
This is evidenced in the emergence of policy frameworks that support integrated children’s services. This new vision of integrated services throughout childhood requires a programme of reform and sustained investment across the age range. Consistent with ‘Success Through Skills’ this means that thousands of qualified workers will be required to create a children’s profession based on a more unified qualifications and skills framework. This will support a more coordinated approach between professions, more flexible career paths and less fragmented services for children and families.
Where do playworkers work?
Playwork takes place in a variety of settings including childcare, daycare and youth work settings. Playwork can also be facilitated in specialist settings such as hospitals, refuges, extended school provision, children’s homes and prisons. Playwork can be taken to outdoor environments e.g. via play rangers and mobile play provision. Play happens inevitably in out- of- school provision.
| Setting |
Role |
| Daycare | PlayWorker |
| Childcare Worker | |
| Schoolage Childcare | PlayWorker |
| Childcare Worker | |
| Youth Club | Youth Worker |
| PlayWorker | |
| Play Ranger | |
| Registered child-minder | Childcare Worker |
| PlayWorker | |
| Community Centre | Play Development Officer |
| PlayWorker | |
| Play Ranger | |
| College / Training Provider | PlayWork Tutor |
| Assessor | |
| Internal Verifier | |
| Awarding Organisation | External Verifier |
| In the Home | Child-Minder |
What qualification is best for me?
Purpose of setting: The focus of the setting is a key element in determining what a relevant qualification might be. The aim and focus of the setting will guide what staff do. For example a setting with a focus on education may ask for a childcare qualification while a setting that focuses on play and promoting play is likely to ask for a playwork qualification.
Age range: Another important factor is the age range of children attending the setting. Childcare qualifications cover a broad age range of 0 to 16, but you may focus on one age range when completing course work in order to provide evidence for the qualification. This may not provide the relevant experience or knowledge for the older age range and therefore not be suitable for a play or out of school setting.
What is an employer looking for? There are a number of things that an employer is looking for including relevant qualifications, suitable experience of working with children and young people, an ability to work alone and as part of a team, good interpersonal skills, an ability to communicate with parents and someone who understands the challenges that come with working with children & young people.
For more information download 'An introduction to playwork qualifications and careers in Northern Ireland'
Examples of playwork qualifications
- NVQ Playwork level 2
- NVQ Playwork level 3
- NVQ Playwork level 4
- Award/ Certificate / Diploma in Playwork – Level 2
- Award/ Certificate / Diploma in Playwork – Level 3
- Level 3 Award in Playwork for early years and childcare Workers (Transitional Modules) Honours degree in playwork
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[1] Our Pledge - Ten Year Strategy for Children and Young People
[2] Success through Skills, the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland (2006)
