Resources

Play in government policy

A new UK Government took office on 11 May and is in the process of deciding its position on a number of policies and government strategies . As a result the resources listed on this page may not reflect current Government policy. All statutory guidance and legislation referred to continues to reflect the current legal position unless indicated otherwise.

Resources and further information relating to play in government policy.

1. 1. Creating strong, safe and prosperous communities www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/strongsafeprosperous This document provides statutory guidance to local authorities and their partners on creating strong, safe and prosperous communities.
   
   It covers the duty to involve and duties around Local Area Agreements in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. It also replaces previous guidance on Local Strategic Partnerships and Sustainable Community Strategies.
2. 2. Embedding the Play Strategy www.playengland.org.uk/playstrategy Draft strategic planning guidance to assist local authorities and their partners in fulfilling their key role in delivering the longer term aims of the national Play Strategy.
3. 3. Every Child Matters www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters Every Child Matters sets out the government’s approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to 19 years. The aim of Every Child Matters is to give all children the support they need to:
   
   - be healthy
   - stay safe
   - enjoy and achieve
   - make a positive contribution
   - achieve economic well-being.
4. 4. Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures: A strategy for children and young people’s health www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_094400 In December 2007, the government made a commitment in the Children’s Plan to publish a child health strategy jointly between the Department of Health (DH) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). This joint strategy presents the government’s vision for children and young people’s health and well-being.
5. 5. Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Cross-Government Strategy for England www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Obesity The government published this strategy in 2008 to support the creation of a healthy society. It deals with everything from early years, schools and food, to sport and physical activity, plus planning, transport and the health service.
6. 6. How play contributes to the National Indicator Set www.playengland.org.uk/resources This document suggests ways in which play provision can support the achievement of local authority indicators in the National Indicator Set.
7. 7. The Children’s Plan www.dcsf.gov.uk/childrensplan Published in 2007, The Children's Plan aims to strengthen support for all families during the formative early years of their children's lives.
   
   The Plan draws up the next steps in achieving world-class schools that involve parents fully in their children's learning, and how we can help young people enjoy safe, interesting and exciting things to do outside of school.
8. 8. The Play Strategy www.dcsf.gov.uk/play The first national Play Strategy sets out the government’s plans to improve and develop play facilities for children throughout the country.
   
   Based on consultation with thousands of children and young people, as well as their parents, the strategy outlines the short, medium and long-term objectives in bringing to life children’s right to play.
9. 9. Statutory Guidance to Children’s Trusts www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/resources-and-practice/IG00346 This is the revised statutory guidance for local authorities and agencies on the 'duty to cooperate' to improve children's well-being.
   
   It sets out in detail what a Children's Trust is and what it does. It’s intended for local authority senior managers and partner agencies, including schools, with responsibility for improving children's outcomes.

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