'Play is what I do when everyone else has stopped telling me what to do.'
This poignant comment should make us all pause for thought. The child who said it probably agrees that too many children spend too much time being controlled and contained in today's world - while others are ignored and neglected. 'Inspire me with your ideas and knowledge but let me express my own creativity,' is probably what most children would say to adults if they could. And this is the key role of the playworker.
Now new national occupational standards for the NVQ/SVQ Playwork Level 2 are about to be introduced to more accurately reflect this philosophy.
Welcoming the new standards, Paul Bonel, director of the SPRITO Playwork Unit, the Government-funded training organisation for playwork, says, 'The old standards put too little emphasis on the protection, the facilitation and support of children's play. They needed to be updated.'
Workplace training
For those playworkers who are unfamiliar with the different types of qualifications in playwork, National (or Scottish) Vocational Qualifications (NVQ/SVQs) allow playworkers to be assessed without having gained any previous qualifications or undertaken any previous courses or study.
The playworker will have to show, however, that they have gained the required 'underpinning knowledge' relating to playwork and show a commitment to its values and assumptions (these guidelines are set out in 'Heart of the Matter', Out of School, 12 September). This may require some sessions at a local college.
NVQ/SVQ Playwork Level 2 is aimed at playworkers who do not have full responsibility for a playsetting. Those that do, should be working towards, or hold, a Level 3 qualification in playwork. The National Standards for Out of School Care, which are now enforced by Ofsted, stipulate that the person in charge needs an appropriate Level 3 qualification with two years'
experience, and that half the rest of the staff have an appropriate Level 2 qualification (Out of School will be running a series on different playwork qualifications next year to help readers get the training they need).
One of the attractions of an NVQ is that candidates can train in the workplace -an advantage if it is difficult to attend college for practical reasons. They are assessed by qualified assessors either from their own workplace, or by assessors from a local NVQ Assessment Centre. The procedure varies from area to area but, unlike some other qualifications, it is generally accessible throughout the country. If you get an NVQ it should make you more competent and confident in your work, and will increase your value in the employment market. You will also be able to progress to further education.
NVQ structure
Each NVQ is made up of a number of 'units of competence'. A unit represents one distinct aspect of the job and is the smallest division of the award for which the candidate can receive credit.
Since the introduction of the last set of standards, the world of playwork has changed. Playworkers operate in a vast variety of settings such as adventure playgrounds, after-school clubs, before-and after-school settings, holiday playschemes, lunchtime playworkers in schools, youth workers and on traveller playschemes.
The review process of the NVQ, carried out by the technical experts group at SPRITO, began over a year ago. The new standards are designed to reflect the values of play more closely, as well as meet the needs of the ever-expanding job opportunities.
Some past candidates of the old NVQ/SVQ Playwork Level 2 had difficulties demonstrating competence with an older age range of children as many work with the under-fives. It was also felt that there was too much duplication between units. The language and terminology has also been simplified in the new standards, which will make life much easier for candidates and assessors. In addition, the playwork assumptions and values have been integrated to a much greater extent into the new standards thus allowing candidates a greater opportunity of demonstrating knowledge and competence.
Regional training days are being held during the autumn for the new NVQ. Contact 01323 738 380.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE NEW NVQ/SVQ PLAYWORK LEVEL 2
The new NVQ/SVQ Playwork Level 2 is due to come on stream early in 2003. If you want to take it you should:
* Tell your employer. They need to know because you will be assessed in the workplace and may need to take some time off to attend college. You don't have to be in employment to take the new NVQ/SVQ - you could perhaps be working as a volunteer - but you will need access to a playwork setting and you will need some experience of playwork otherwise you won't be able to be assessed. The qualification is not for new entrants into playwork.
* Find out where your nearest NVQ Assessment Centre is and register, saying that you want to wait for the new NVQ/SVQ in Playwork level 2. You can find out your nearest centre by ringing the awarding bodies for the qualification. Here is a list of some of them:
* CACHE 01727 847 636
* City and Guilds 0207 294 2800
* EdExcel 0870 240 9800
* Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) 0845 279 1000 Or your local playwork development officer may be able to give advice.
There are nine in England. Contact the Playwork Unit at SPRITO on 0207 388 7755 ext 207 for telephone numbers. Scottish readers can contact SPRITO Scotland on joan@spritoscotland.org.uk
* A meeting will then be arranged with an assessor who will explain the programme.
* The average time for a Level 2 NVQ is one year; a Level 3 usually takes two.
* The cost of taking the qualification will vary considerably around the UK. The maximum fee would be about 1,000 but most candidates will pay less than 200 with subsidies from Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships and employers. If you need help with finance try contacting the forum at the DfES-funded website on www.playworkvq.com.
HOW THE NEW NVQ IS BROKEN DOWN
The new standards for the NVQ/SVQ Playwork Level 2 consist of six mandatory units and two additional units for playworkers wishing to broaden their study further.
Mandatory (Core) Units
1 Contribute to positive relationships in the play setting (PW1)
2 Support children's play (PW2)
3 Contribute to the health and safety of the play environment (PW3)
4 Deal with accidents and emergencies (C35)
5 Support the protection of children from abuse (C36)
6 Contribute to the work of your team (A52)
Additional Units
7 Contribute to children and young people's healthy eating and personal hygiene (PW4)
8 Escort and supervise children outside the play setting (PW5)
When carrying out any of the activities covered in the unit, candidates must ensure that they are putting playwork values into practice. There are 12 values and not all apply to each unit, so, for example, in the above unit PW2 the following playwork values apply:
1 Child at the centre of the process
2 Empowering children
3 Self-directed play
4 Opportunities for risk, challenge, growth of confidence and self-esteem
6 Individuality
8 Equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice
9 New experiences
12 Access
In addition to this the candidate must demonstrate that their work covers a range of requirements: For example in PW2.1 you must cover the following types of:
A children and young people
1 With additional needs
2 From differing social backgrounds
3 From differing cultural backgrounds
4 Boys
5 Girls
From two of the following:
B age groups
1 4 - 7 years
2 8 - 12 years
3 13 - 16 years
A further three groups exist to fulfil the criteria PW2.1. They are play environment, setting, and resources.
