Skills Circle Play Wrexham 2004

Introduction

Since the findings of the Play Strategy 2002-2007, identified a need for a co-ordinated and cohesive approach to Play training; the Play department of Wrexham County Borough worked on an idea to address this and other issues, finally coming up with the concept of a Skills Circle.

The Skills Circle is initially a rolling programme that aims to develop the knowledge, skills and support that you will need to provide excellent play opportunities when you work alongside children and young people in your play setting. The Skills Circle will meet every six/eight weeks on an informal basis for participants to share and inform other group members and to monitor their progress in developing and assessing their training.

Entry Requirements

To be included you will be selected by recommendation from your employer. You will be play based with the focus initially being in Communities First areas on the pilot scheme. An emphasis will be placed on representation from a variety of play settings to offer a spectrum of play opportunities and services available within the County.

Course Content

The course will enable you to implement the Quality Assurance Framework 'First Claim' in your play setting. Over the three years the course will address the progressive levels of the quality framework and it's implementation. It will cover the playwork curriculum; types of play; intervention styles; factors that determine the type of play offered; the types of behaviours encountered in the play setting and the successful implementation of the Quality Framework and continual self-assessment in addition to the identified training needs of the course members.

Assessment

As a member of the Skills Circle you will create a portfolio of training and experience through a network of supportive colleagues. This will provide you with the support and motivation to enable the successful implementation of the Quality Assurance Framework into your work place. It will facilitate the identity and sourcing of training, which will be formal, as in funding a set course, in-house or through a workplace of a participating Skills Circle member. Play placements can be arranged within the play setting of participating members and regular feedback sessions in the monthly/ six weekly meetings attended by the participants will ensure the monitoring of progress for the individual.

Career Opportunities

The course is a pilot scheme being run by the County Council in partnership with Play interested parties. It is seen as an opportunity to recognise good play work practice and to develop home- grown play workers giving them access to relevant training and opportunities to develop through the play sector. By networking, having access to new research, attending play conferences and meeting other people working in a similar field we can raise the quality of play opportunities we provide for children and young people.

Terms of Reference for Play Wrexham Skills Circle

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