Other

Play England ups its game plan

3 mins read Early Years Play Education
As Play Wales prepares for closure, its English counterpart forges new links to boost play opportunities.

This summer, Play Wales received the crushing news it would no longer receive Welsh government funding. The organisation, which carries out Wales-wide research into play as well as supporting local play initiatives, now faces closure at the end of September.

The financial problems it is facing will be a familiar story for those involved in national play support in England. During the previous Labour government, Play Wales's English equivalent, Play England, was a thriving organisation, with about 70 staff prior to 2010.

According to 2009/10 accounts, it had an annual income of £6.7m, including a £2.4m grant from the then Department for Children, Schools and Families. But a change of government and austerity measures hit hard. In 2010 direct government funding ended, staff numbers decreased and it moved from being hosted by the National Children's Bureau to becoming a limited company and now an independent charity with just one staff member, programme development manager Steven Chown. So what are the implications for national bodies no longer supported to advocate play?

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

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this