Playwork skills council awarded grant to support training

SkillsActive secured a £230,000 grant from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ growth and innovation fund to help 1,000 playworkers gain a Level 3 transition to playwork qualification.

At least one staff member in each playwork setting must have a relevant Level 3 qualification for Ofsted registration. But SkillsActive claims that many staff gain Level 3 early years qualifications that are too general and do not have enough grounding in the principles of playwork.

SkillsActive chief executive Stephen Studd said: "This funding will help us address employer concerns around a lack of knowledge of the playwork principles and remove the cost barrier to becoming qualified in this area, an issue that is particularly pertinent for playwork employers at present."

The sector skills council is now working with the Skills Funding Agency to find a lead provider for the training and will examine whether the existing programme can be expanded.

"I would like to sincerely thank all of those employers from our sector who committed to working with us and grabbing this unique opportunity to invest in their workforce," Studd added. "We look forward to working with them and the lead provider, once appointed, to deliver this training and continue our mission to professionalise the workforce."