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Playworker

"What does it take to be a playworker?  Patience, having a sense of fun, being easy-going ... having empathy with children."

Playworkers work to support children by:

  • Making opportunities for them to create new and different spaces for playing; places big and small, inside or out, that are attractive and offer freedom to play
  • Providing or making available all kinds of everyday ‘stuff' that children might use in playing
  • Watching and learning from children about play and how to better support it
  • Being around if needed

Playworkers also listen to children, build relationships with them, foster their self-esteem, encourage independence, help them when they ask and stand up for them.  We also support children in creating uncertainty and challenge as part of their play - assessing the risks involved and intervening where absolutely necessary.  We deal with injuries and illness as they arise, liaise with parents and advocate for children's right to play in their community.

Although you may be able to start in this job without a relevant qualification you will be expected to gain one eventually.

Find out more about qualifications

Facial expressions, language or body language that communicates the child or young person’s wish to play or invite others to play
support and assist
The real or imagined boundary that keeps the play intact returns
decided by their own free will
in a steady and slowly increasing way
anything that could cause harm or loss
Based on natural responses rather than thought or training
Internally driven reasons for doing something
an inbuilt urge or desire
controlled by the individual
a way of categorising play into various different types. Currently 16 types are usually recognised.
thinking about what we do and identifying what we do well and what we could improve
the chance of harm or loss occurring
a careful examination of what could cause harm to people, so we can weigh up whether we have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm
An acronym for Stop, Look, Listen, Reflect, React, Reflect, Practice. This is designed to help us if we need to intervene