PlayBoard NI

Aims & Objectives

Our Vision

A society where the right to play is both valued and realised.

Our Mission

Leading the Play Agenda.

As a membership organisation, PlayBoard works closely with and provides support to its members. Our membership is committed to helping us achieve our vision and mission as collectively, we all want to see improved play outcomes for all children and young people in Northern Ireland.

We wish to become known as an organisation that is underpinned by integrity and quality, an organisation that is outcome focused and solution orientated, that at all times operates in the best interests of our members, stakeholders and ultimately the children we seek to serve.

PlayBoard NI

Our Aims & Objectives

Aim 1

Be The Authoritive Voice For Play

Aim 2

Promote Quality In Play And Playwork Practice

Aim 3

Increase And Improve Opportunities For Play

Aim 4

PlayBoard’s Organisational Growth And Development

PlayBoard NI

Our Aims, Objectives And Outcomes

PlayBoard has a three-year strategic plan which sets out what we hope to achieve during this period. The plan is reviewed every year to take account of any changes that may have an impact on the work of PlayBoard.

PlayBoard provides recognised expertise of the highest standards in achieving our aims and objectives. We support practice, promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing while providing a focus for the development of high-quality delivery, learning and assessment.

PlayBoard strives to be an effective, innovative and responsive organisation, which brings evidence-based intelligence and best practice together to empower our members, communities, individuals and children and young people, while influencing continuous improvement in the delivery of play services.

The strategy for achieving our aims will be based on the following areas:

Aim 1: Be The Authoritive Voice For Play

Objectives:

  • 1.1 To advocate for play
    Outcome:
    The knowledge, conditions and actions unpinning policy will be better informed about the importance of resourcing and planning for play, this will result in improved outcomes for children and young people.

  • 1.2 To build our evidence based on practice and experience
    Outcome:
    The knowledge base for play will be enhanced, this will inform better planning and improved service delivery. Evidence will shape and inform policy decisions and spend.

  • 1.3 To strengthen our voice
    Outcome:
    The play volume will be turned up! More people will be aware of the benefits of play and this in turn will drive demand for better improved services.

Aim 2: Promote Quality In Play And Playwork Practice

Objectives:

  • 2.1: To develop and deliver a quality framework suitable for a number sectoral contexts
    Outcome:
    Improved play practice and quality play experiences for children.

  • 2.2: To promote and develop the playwork workforce
    Outcome:
    Professional recognition for playwork across the children’s sector.

  • 2.3: To deliver playwork
    Outcome:
    Improved play practice and better opportunities for children.

Aim 3: Increase And Improve Opportunities For Play

Objectives:

  • 3.1: Work with councils, schools and childcare settings to enhance understanding and knowledge of play and playwork
    Outcome:
    Better play experiences and opportunities for all children in particular children with disabilities or additional needs.

  • 3.2: Develop strategic alliances, collaborations and new partners to promote the health and inclusion benefits of play e.g. PHA, disability sector
    Outcome:
    PlayBoard will achieve cross sectoral apperception and investment in play.

  • 3.3: Enhance cross border profile to share learning and develop new relationships and partnerships
    Outcome:
    Increased profile for PlayBoard and greater opportunities for play in the Republic of Ireland.

Aim 4: PlayBoard’s Organisational Growth And Development

Objectives:

  • 4.1 : Advance PlayBoard’s economic growth
    Outcome:
    PlayBoard will be a strong, confident, fit for purpose organisation with strengthened profile and reach.

  • 4.2: Develop PlayBoard’s competence, capability and capacity
    Outcome:
    PlayBoard will be outcome informed and outcome based in its decision making.

  • 4.3: Enhance organisational leadership, culture and growth
    Outcome:
    PlayBoard will have strong leadership, management and decision making structures.

PlayBoard NI

Our Core Values

Core Value 1

We believe that play is a fundamental right of childhood and is central to children and young people’s development;

Core Value 2

We recognise, respect and value the voices of children and young people, putting their play needs at the core of everything that we do;

Core Value 3

We value and welcome the views of others and are committed to working collectively to drive the play agenda;

Core Value 4

We respect and embrace difference;

Core Value 5

We welcome challenge and embrace change;

Core Value 6

We support, value and respect each other.

PlayBoard NI

Core Values

PlayBoard’s core values help to define us as an organisation, guiding our behaviour, underpinning our operational delivery, and shaping the strategies we will pursue. All PlayBoard staff are expected to adhere to these values which place integrity, professionalism, teamwork, commitment and respect, at the heart of everything we do.

  • We believe that play is a fundamental right of childhood and is central to children and young people’s development;

  • We recognise, respect and value the voices of children and young people, putting their play needs at the core of everything that we do;

  • We value and welcome the views of others and are committed to working collectively to lead the play agenda;

  • We respect and embrace difference;

  • We welcome challenge and embrace change;

  • We support, value and respect each other.

Core Value 1

We believe that play is a fundamental right of childhood and is central to children and young people’s development;

  • We respect the play needs of all children and young people, working to ensure that shared, safe play spaces which meet these needs are available;

  • We believe that play is intrinsically motivated and that children and young people should be free to self-direct their own play activity with minimal input from adults;

  • We support all those who work for or who impact upon the playing child, using the Playwork Principles as our underpinning professional and ethical framework;

  • We are playful and innovative in our approach to play development and practice.

Core Value 2

We recognise, respect and value the voices of children and young people, putting their play needs at the core of everything that we do;

  • We ensure that all our work is play focused, supporting the development of a play culture, where children and young people’s play is considered to be the highest form of participation;

  • We listen to what children and young people have to say, striving to empower them to raise their voice on the play issues which impact upon their lives.

Core Value 3

We value and welcome the views of others and are committed to working collectively to drive the play agenda;

  • We listen to, respect and value the views of our membership, focusing our collective energy for greater impact;

  • We work in partnership with statutory, voluntary and community agencies and organisations to drive the play agenda;

  • We are committed to transparency and are open, honest, inclusive, fair and ethical in all of our relationships;

  • We base all aspects of our work on community development principles, promoting community ownership and striving to empower children, young people, parents, playworkers and the wider community;

  • We provide leadership in our field of expertise, challenging, praising and criticising where we must;

  • We accept responsibility for our actions.

Core Value 4

We respect and embrace difference;

  • We celebrate diversity and recognise that we, both as a corporate team and as a wider society, depend upon each other to bring about the change which is required;

  • We recognise, respect and advocate for the play needs of all children and young people irrespective of gender, background, cultural or racial origin or individual abilities;

  • We believe in the freedom to ‘be’: freedom to play, freedom to have our say and freedom to stand back and observe.

Core Value 5

We welcome challenge and embrace change;

  • We are a learning organisation and are responsive to change, new ideas and better ways of working;

  • We strive at all times to improve our understanding, knowledge and skills to achieve our vision and goals learning through reflective practice, research and evaluation;

  • We are courageous in our outlook, have an enterprising spirit and are willing to take on new challenges as they present themselves to us.

Core Value 6

We support, value and respect each other;

  • We strive to provide a dynamic, rewarding and safe working environment, providing ongoing support, training and development;

  • We recognise diversity in skills, and seek to provide all staff with an opportunity to flourish.

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