Qualifying the playwork workforce
The Children's Plan (DCSF, 2007) included a commitment that...
... the play strategy will support individuals in communities to take a professional role by providing funding to enable 4000 playworkers to achieve recognised play qualifications, and within that to enable a core of professionally qualified new graduate leaders to emerge."
In support of this commitment, a range of initiatives is being developed by CWDC in partnership with SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for active leisure and learning.
In this section:
Key areas of focus
- 4,000 playworkers to achieve a recognised play qualification at level 3;
- A new management and leadership programme for senior front-line staff;
-
Developing a core of professionally qualified graduate leaders.
Update on the Level 3 qualification initiative - guide for employers
Due to high levels of interest in the Level 3 initiative, applications have been split into two phases.
Phase 1: Applications received by CWDC before 17 July 2008
Phase 1 applications are being considered for 2,000 places on training courses available from September 2008.
Phase 2: Applications received by CWDC after 17 July 2008
Phase 2 applications will be considered for training courses from September 2009 and will be contacted towards the end of 2008.
Information for Phase 1 applicants (employers)
CWDC is supporting funding for up to 2,000 places from September 2008:
-
1,500 places for the Level 3 NVQ in Playwork qualification
-
500 places for Transitional Modules into Playwork from Early Years and Child Care titled the “Level 3 Award in Playwork for Early Years and Childcare Workers"
What to do next
For information on next steps please download the guide ‘Accessing Playwork Training Provision in the Level 3 Playwork Initiative’.
Further details on delivery models and the allocation of training places are published in the guide.
Level 3 NVQ in Playwork
Phase 1employers who applied for places on the Level 3 NVQ in Playwork will be contacted by a Train to Gain Skills Broker from their regional Learning and Skills Council. In preparation employers should identify which candidates to enter for Level 3 NVQ training this year from the total number of employees listed in their original application.
Transitional Modules into Playwork
Employers who requested places for the Transitional Modules into Playwork from Early Years and Child Care will be contacted directly by CWDC. Information on training providers offering the Transitional Modules into Playwork can be accessed from both the CACHE website and City & Guilds website. Download the list of providers offering CACHE approved qualifications here.
CWDC and SkillsActive would like to thank you for your interest in the Level 3 qualification initiative.
For individual queries please contact CWDC at playwork@cwdcouncil.org.uk
Which qualifications are being funded?
- Level 3 NVQ in Playwork;
- Transitional Modules into Playwork from Early Years and Child Care titled the 'Level 3 Award in Playwork for Early Eears and Childcare Workers'.
Who is eligible for the funding?
Those who will be eligible for funding for the Level 3 NVQ in Playwork are:
- those without a Level 2 qualification taking the Level 3 NVQ in Playwork qualification as their first award;
- those whose highest qualification is at Level 2;
- those who have a Level 3 qualification in a different subject.
Those who will be eligible for funding for the Transitional Modules into Playwork from Early Years and Child Care are those who have a Level 3 qualification in Early Years and Child Care.
What do I need to do now?
For employees
In the first instance, you should express your interest to your employer. They, in turn can email playwork@cwdcouncil.org.uk. CWDC will pass the request to the Learning and Skills Council who will work on your behalf to identify places for training from September 2009 based on the information provided in your form. Places will be agreed through the Train to Gain programme.
For employers
Please download the form below and email it to us at playwork@cwdcouncil.org.uk. CWDC will pass your request to the Learning and Skills Council who will work on your behalf to identify places for training from September 2009 based on the information provided in your form. Places will be agreed through the Train to Gain programme.