By March 2011, every top tier local authority in
England will be able to host a one-day professional development
seminar designed to be a catalyst for long-term change.
It’s a chance for participants to discuss the latest thinking on
the importance of children’s play, and to identify actions they can
take forward in their individual areas of work.
The professional development seminar is a highly practical
event, using exercises, case studies and group discussions,
facilitated by experts in the field.
The overall aim is to help local authorities and their partners
create more child-friendly communities.
As the lead body on play, the local authority is responsible for
hosting the Play Shaper event and identifying whom to invite. All
facilitators and participant materials are provided free of
charge.
Play Shaper certificate
Following the one-day professional development seminar
participants can obtain a Play Shaper certificate, which
acknowledges ten hours of continuing professional development
(CPD).
Each Play Shaper seminar is tailored to the specific
requirements of the area and the needs of its Local Area Agreement,
Local Strategic Framework, Children and Young People’s Plan and
other local priorities.
Where planning and the built environment are a particular
concern, a limited number of ‘Placemaking and Play’ modules will be
available in certain areas from spring 2010. In addition, a module
is being developed for those who supervise places where
children play, such as the police and parks' staff.
Local authorities are encouraged to build Play Shaper into
ongoing training and continuing professional development, and we
welcome all suggestions on how we could facilitate this.
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