You are here: Home > QUALIFICATIONS

QUALIFICATIONS

Although some playworkers start work without a qualification all playworkers will be expected to gain one eventually.

Most playwork qualifications require learning through practical experience in a play setting combined with some study. Some written work will be required.

Find out more about accredited qualifications

What levels of qualifications are there?


Different levels of qualification are required depending on the nature of the job - see our pages on qualifications levels in the list on the left of this page.  As a rough guide:

Level 2 is for people who work under supervision

Level 3 is for people who work on their own initiative, plan and organise their work and supervise others

Level 4 is for experienced practitioners who are expected to manage or develop a complex setting or a number of settings across an area.

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