Welcome

Introduction
Play Development enables communities and organisations to develop sustainable, high quality play opportunities and facilities for children and young people.

Work Environment
Play Development Workers work alongside children, parents and organisations in a participatory way, working in partnership with Integrated Children's Centres to promote the importance of play for the development of children, from babies to teenagers.

Daily Activities

• promote and champion children's play;
• work alongside children, parents and organisations to identify the unmet play needs of children and young people and where possible to help address those needs;
• work in partnership with existing or developing Integrated Children's Centres to promote and deliver the open access play element of the centres;
• actively seek development opportunities in communities;
• plan, deliver and support play projects, sessions and workshops;
• work with local communities in order to develop appropriate play opportunities;
• ensure that play opportunities take place in a challenging and safe environment and meet all the appropriate health and safety standards;
• provide information, advice and support to local initiatives;
• help recruit and support staff and volunteers;
• provide effective supervision and support to staff and volunteers;
• carry out regular evaluation of projects;
• monitor, maintain and manage the use of equipment;
• exercise budgetary control and assist in preparing estimates;
• carry out all administration duties in relation to projects.

Skills & Interests
You would need to be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge/experience of play development work and/or knowledge and experience of community development work;
• communicate clearly, verbally and in written form, including report writing;
• respect confidentiality;
• give presentations;
• work on your own initiative as well as part of a team;
• liaise effectively with other sections of the council and external agencies;
• be sensitive to individual needs;
• motivate staff;
• gather and disseminate information to all service users;
• sign post as required.

Entry Requirements
Playwork qualifications are available in an award, certificate and diploma format at level 2, level 3 and level 4/5.  People wishing to undertake the level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork (from early years) must have achieved a level 3 early years qualification based on either the early years, care and education standards or the children's care, learning and development standards.  Accepted entry qualifications include the level 3 NVQ in Children's Care, Learning and Development, the level 3 NVQ Early Years, Care and Education and the level 3 NVQ in Childcare and Education.  From July 2012, this also includes the level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (early years pathway) and the NNEB.

Future Prospects & Opportunities
This is a growing area with exciting challenges. The concept of education and social service professionals working in partnership with families for the sake of children is being developed in most authorities. Continuing Professional Development is standard.  There could be opportunities to develop in other aspects of the Early Years and Play Service and in social work with the appropriate qualifications.

Further Information & Services
Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk
Community Care Journal www.communitycare.co.uk
Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk/socialhealthcare
Health & Care Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org
National Council for Voluntary Youth Services www.ncvys.org.uk
Social Care Association www.socialcareassociation.co.uk

You may find further information about this area of work through Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or in your local library, careers office or school careers library.