The Scottish Playwork Education, Training and Qualifications Implementation Plan has been developed from the UK's ten-year action plan for playwork and education, Quality Training, Quality Play 2006-2011, which was launched in June (News, 22 June). The plan echoes the themes in the Scottish Executive's National Review of the Early Years and Childcare Workforce. It is based on five key themes of work, each with identified aims and specific actions.
Marguerite Hunter-Blair, director of Play Scotland, said, 'We welcome the launch of this implementation plan. It gives huge significance to the importance of play and this is a further step along the road to professionalising the workforce.'
The Scottish plan, implemented by SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for play, expands on the UK-wide strategy and considers how it can be implemented over the next five years within the Scottish childcare and playwork context.
Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, Maria Eagle, the minister for children and young people, launched a play policy consultation designed to inform the country's future play strategy.
Ms Eagle said, 'Play is a powerful medium for teaching values to children and an essential part of a child's development. We can harness the benefits of play to help secure a society which is inclusive, tolerant and respectful of difference.'
Barney McNeany, Northern Ireland's Commissioner for Children and Young People, said that that he was pleased that the government was now 'advancing play as a key issue'. He added, 'The consultation marks an important step towards making sure that children and young people have better, safer and appropriate facilities for play.'
He urged individuals and organisations to respond to the Consultation on a Play Policy for Northern Ireland at www.allchildrenni.gov.uk, by 31 January.
