Playwork

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway - Playwork is 68 credits

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway – Advanced Playwork is 65 credits

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 5 Pathway - Advanced Practitioner in Playwork is 87 credits

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 5 Pathway – Manager in Playwork is 87 credits

Entry requirements

Potential apprentices should have a positive, motivating and can do attitude with the ability to work both as part of a team or on their own and the willingness to work shifts and travel between sites. Apprentices must hold a valid enhanced DBS check.  This is the responsibility of the employer who should be able to advise the DBS number if requested by the provider.

Level 2 & Level 3

The Level 2 Apprenticeship in Playwork is designed for those individuals who are employed in a Playwork setting and starting on their career within this sector by developing their skills and knowledge.

The Level 3 Apprenticeship is designed for someone who is over the age of 18 and wishes to progress their playwork career within either their current employment or as part of a new role.

Level 5

This higher apprenticeship is designed for those individuals who are in employed in a senior role within the Playwork [LH1] sector and[LH2]  wish to further develop their skills and knowledge.  For example, as Advanced Practitioner in Playwork or Manager.

This Pathway provides a professional route to train those employed in the Playwork sector to progess their skills and knowledge.

It is good practice that apprentices are interviewed by both their employer and training provider and undergo a centre devised initial assessment, testing their literacy and numeracy skills as well as their attitude to the workplace (including interactions the children in their care and with work colleagues) and record any related experience and knowledge.

Potential apprentices for this Pathway:

• must have an interest and commitment to working with children and young people through play/playwork and have previous experience and qualifications in the area.
• must be able to demonstrate their ability through initial assessment to communicate in English and /or Welsh at Essential Skills (GCSE A*-C) and the application of number to an Essential Skills level 1 at entry.
• Must be over  19 years old
• Must hold a valid enhanced DBS check

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Lefel 2: Playwork

Lefel 2: Playwork Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following Combined qualifications below.

Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge qualifications.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

56 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 2 Diploma in Playwork

12 credits for transferrable skills - 6 credits for each Essential Skills Wales qualification

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is 572 training hours. Over a 12 months period.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 3: Playwork

Level 3: Playwork Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following Combined below.

Please see Annex 2 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge qualifications.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Apprentices completing this Pathway will achieve a minimum of 65 credits in total.

53 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 3 Diploma in Playwork

12 credits for transferrable skills - 6 credits for each Essential Skills Wales qualification

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is 530 training hours.  Over 18 Months.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 5: Advanced Practitioner in Playwork

Level 5: Advanced Practitioner in Playwork Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following Combined qualification below.

Please see Annex 3 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge qualifications.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Apprentices completing this pathway will achieve a total of 87 credits made up of the following components of the Pathways:

Level 5 Diploma in Advanced Playwork - a minimum of 75 credits

Essential Skills Wales - 12 credits in total

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is 702 training hours. Over a 12 month period.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 5: Manager in Playwork

Level 5: Manager in Playwork Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following Combined qualifications below.

Please see Annex 4 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge qualifications.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Apprentices completing this pathway will achieve a total of 87 credits made up of the following components of the Pathways:

Level 5 Diploma in Advanced Playwork - a minimum of 75 credits

Essential Skills Wales - 12 credits in total

The total amount of training hours - which includes both on and off-the-job learning for this Pathway is 750 training hours. Over a 12 month period.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Other additional requirements

Information about the Playwork Sector

What is playwork?

Playwork is a recognised profession. Playwork is child-centred and ensures that play is the main focus. It is important to know that playwork qualifications can also be valuable for anyone working with children

The role of the playworker is varied and is about much more than keeping children entertained. Playworkers support and facilitate children's play and this requires a range of skills.

You will learn about these on any of the playwork qualifications described.

Important playwork qualities for playworkers include:

- A belief that children are the experts about their play

- A belief that children have a right to play

- A commitment to including all children

- A willingness to let children take the lead in their own play

- A willingness to step back when necessary so children can play in their own   way

- An awareness that risk taking is an important part of play and that an adult’s role is to balance this with the physical and emotional benefits of play

- An appreciation of the value of observation and how this helps adults

understand children and their play

- An ability to reflect on good and bad experiences to improve playwork practice

- A creative approach to working with others

- A good understanding of how to provide resources for play

Further information can be found here:

• Different career paths in Playwork - Clybiau Plant Cymru (EN)
• Playwork - Play Wales
• National Minimum Standards for regulated childcare | GOV.WALES

Apprenticeship Levels

For information about the different apprenticeship levels offered please see: Apprenticeship levels explained | Careers Wales

Job roles

Level 2 - Playworker

Works under supervision of the Playworker in charge, contributing to the organisation and facilitation of Playwork opportunities

Level 3 - Playworker/Senior Playworker

Responsible for supervising the team in the Playwork setting, ensuring that policies and procedures are followed, and that a range of Playwork opportunities are provided.

Level 5 - Advanced Practitioner

Responsible for play sufficiency assessment and fulfilment; oversee county wide provision, seek funding for city and regional projects,

identify, access and deliver training. Work with children; engage with communities and partners. Promote children’s right to play across adult agendas.

Level 5 - Playwork Manager

Holds responsibility for staff management, budgets, training, induction, inspections, policies, supervision, local funding applications, strategy development, health and safety. May directly work with children and oversee playwork provision.

Progression

Level 2

Progression into the Apprenticeship

There are no pre-defined routes into the Foundation level Playwork apprenticeship, however learners wishing to progress into this apprenticeship programme could come from a variety of backgrounds (academic or vocational) with a variety of qualifications.

Learners can also progress into this programme if they are already employed in the sector and wish to develop their knowledge and skills to progress their careers.

Progression from the Apprenticeship

On completion of this programme, apprentices can further progress their career in the sector.

Apprentices can progress onto the L3 Apprenticeship in Playwork. Gaining level 3 and above qualifications either as part of the Apprenticeship in Playwork programme or in a further education college will allow candidates to become assistant managers and managers in a Playwork setting and be responsible for qualified staff.

Playworkers are employed by local authorities, voluntary organisations or private companies.

There are some full-time jobs but most employment opportunities within Playwork are part time. Some are seasonal, for instance in the school holidays.

Level 3

Progression into the Apprenticeship

There are no pre-defined entry routes. Learners may be progressing directly from their L2 Assistant Playworker Apprenticeship or could come from a variety of backgrounds (academic or vocational) with a variety of qualifications. 

Learners can also progress into this apprenticeship if they are already employed in the sector and wish to develop their knowledge and skills to progress their careers. Learners can also progress into this apprenticeship programme from employment in a different sector as a career change.

Progression from the Apprenticeship

On completion of the Apprenticeship in Playwork, level 3 qualifications will allow candidates to become assistant managers and managers in play setting and be responsible for qualified staff.

Playworkers are employed by local authorities, voluntary organisations or private companies.

There are some full-time jobs but most employment opportunities within Playwork are part time. Some are seasonal, for instance in the school holidays.

On completion of this programme, learners can also progress onto a variety of Further or Higher Education courses to study subjects related to the sector, subject to the course entry requirements.

Level 5

Progression into the Apprenticeship

Learners might be already working in a level 3 Playwork post as a Playworker or senior Playworker / supervisor and wish to progress their career into management work, or to further develop their understanding and practice in Playwork with children in order to enhance the service offered.

They may also be recruited from related sectors in the children’s workforce – early years or youth work – and wish to gain a qualification that enables them to move into a more generic management role working across settings which offer a service to a wider age range of children and young people.

Progression from the Apprenticeship

Learners may wish to progress from their apprenticeship to a related degree programme. However, acceptance to degree courses will be done at the discretion and rules of each individual HE institution.

On completion of this apprenticeship, learners will be equipped to take up posts in management in children’s services and senior practitioner posts working across a chain of provision or in a large, multi-sector setting offering a range of services for children and families.

Equality and diversity

Apprenticeship pathways should be inclusive and show an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should promote equal opportunities for everyone, including people with protected characteristics as identified in the Equality Act 2010.  

The protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics

Employers/providers must be able to demonstrate their selection, recruitment and employment practices are in line with the Equality Act and that there are no overt or covert discriminatory practices in relation to any of the protected characteristics.

The Apprenticeship in Playwork aims to promote diversity, opportunity and inclusion by offering a high quality learning experience. It must be delivered in a setting free from prejudice and discrimination, where all learners can contribute fully and freely and feel valued.

By encouraging more employers from a wider variety of play settings to take on apprentices, we will not only increase the uptake of Playwork Pathways, but also contribute towards encouraging more open access to the sector and representation of a wider variety of communities and employers. 

Additional learning needs (ALN)

Learning providers must identify and support apprentices with ALN from the start of their apprenticeship.  This includes carrying out initial assessments to find out if there are barriers to learning and making sure the right support is in place. These plans must be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the learner’s progress and changing needs.

Providers must be proactive to make sure apprentices with ALN are retained and succeed. This includes promoting equality and diversity, complying with disability discrimination legislation, and giving all learners equitable access to learning opportunities. Providers should work with employers, support agencies and other stakeholders to give tailored support that meets individual learner needs, including putting reasonable adjustments in place.

Welsh language

Research shows that we need more Welsh speakers in childcare. This is essential to help meet the Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 target of a million Welsh speakers, and also to promote equity and inclusion in line with the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan.

In Wales, apprenticeships can be completed in Welsh or bilingually. This helps create a more diverse and representative workforce and is in line with the Action Plan’s commitment to equitable opportunities and inclusive learning environments.

Responsible sector bodies created bilingual resources to engage learners and employers by supporting a diverse workforce. 

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Medr

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