CYP Now - Police officers to go back to school in play service pilots

Police officers are to learn about play and school playgrounds will open outside normal hours as part of the government's 85m pound play pathfinders initiative, CYP Now has learned.

The initiative, announced in the Children's Plan, will see 30 local authorities in England test out new approaches to play services. Each authority taking part will also build a large adventure playground or play park.

Paul Bonel, director of the playwork unit at skills body SkillsActive, was in favour of the idea of training up police officers and other non-play workers, such as teachers.

"It's a good idea in principle and can help underpin the work of police officers and teachers," he said. "It will primarily be about raising awareness of playwork but will also help these professionals to communicate better and build more positive relationships with children. There are introduction to playwork courses, such as our Making Choices course, that could be adapted for this purpose."

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