A Career As A Playworker

What is playwork?

Playwork is a relatively new profession that exists because children tend not to have the freedom to go out and roam and play in the ways they used to. There is a growing number of play spaces staffed by playworkers – inside and out – that give children the freedoms and opportunities to play they wouldn’t otherwise have.

Playwork is a demanding, exciting and innovative occupation that is different every day and full of surprises and challenges.

What does a playworker do?

A playworker supports children by:

• Making opportunities for them to create new and different spaces for playing; places big and small, inside and out, that are attractive and offer freedom to play
• Providing or making available all kinds of every day ‘stuff’ that children might us 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. Playworkers also deal with injuries and illness, assess and manage all kinds of risks, liaise with parents and with other professionals and advocate for children’s right to play in their community.

Can I be a playworker?

Almost anyone can be a playworker – whatever age, ability or background you have. What really matters is whether you like and respect children and whether you can learn from them – see the world through their eyes. You also need to be able to think about what you are doing (and not doing) and learn as you go along.

Want to know more? Please click here for the skills active website.

What qualifications do I need?

Although you may be able to start without a qualification you will be expected to gain one eventually. Most playwork qualifications require learning through practical experience in a play setting, combined with some teaching/study. Some written work will be required.

There are now nationally recognised qualifications approved by the Department for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning and Skills, Wales, which are listed on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications.

Click here for more about qualifications

Different levels of qualification are required depending on the job and the level of responsibility. As a rough guide:

Level 2 qualifications are for people who work under supervision

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

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

Click here for more about what levels are required

Careers Wales provides careers guidance and information free to anyone living and working in Wales, and they provide advice on playwork as a career and playwork training courses – click here for further information.