This echoes previous research for Playday and is a timely reminder that for all the new playgrounds under the government's capital programme, the work of the Play Strategy has barely begun.
The challenges are huge. Traffic, crime, fear of strangers and the absence of trusted adults from parks and other public spaces continue to mark the outdoor world as a no-go area for large numbers of children.
Children's trusts are preoccupied with service integration, joint commissioning and other reforms but, as statutory guidance makes clear: "Play can drive improvements across all five Every Child Matters outcomes. The task of promoting communities that are more child-friendly will require a strategic approach to play across the local area ... working closely with the broader Local Strategic Partnership on issues such as town and highways planning".
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
