Play Strategy For Scotland: Learning About Play - Investigating Play Through Relevant Qualifications In Scotland

Section G: Play Training Survey Results

PLAY TRAINING SURVEY RESULTS

Play Training Survey

The second element of Action 7.1 was to review current play training available in Scotland; this was specifically training not related to qualifications but Continuous Practice Development (CPD). It was known that such training is provided by a variety of organisations with different geographical remits across the country. In order to capture as much of this information as possible a widely-publicised online survey was used. The survey was publicised through various membership networks and their social media platforms, such as IPA Scotland, Play Scotland, SPPA and SOSCN.

It should be noted that this survey will not have captured all play training providers in Scotland- as it was an optional survey which some organisations may have chosen not to participate and others, despite best attempts, may not have been aware of it. At best, this provides a barometer of the kind of Continuing Professional Development Training that is available in terms of play across Scotland.

The results do provide the contact details, as well as training courses, of many training providers in a geographical spread across the country (west, east, central, north, north east and south east), and an indication of the CPD play training that is currently available.

Methodology

Through consultation with the Action 7.1 steering group an online questionnaire was developed to capture information from play training providers across Scotland. The survey asked respondents for contact information, geographical areas of operation; awareness of the National Play Strategy and associated Action Plan, as well as the UN General Comment on article 31, and if these had affected the content of their training. Respondents were then asked to provide details of all their play training courses provided: course name; duration of training; if it referenced the UNCRC, article 31, General Comment on article 31, the National play strategy, GIRFEC/SHANARRI and inclusive play; whether it was accredited by SQA; a brief description of the course content; the main target audience; whether the course could be of use to others out with the main audience, and why.

A full list of the questions can be found in the appendices.

The survey was available only online and was hosted by freeonlinsurveys.com. The survey was live from July to September 2014. Various member organisations were asked to publicise the survey through their networks: Grounds for Learning; International Play Association (Scotland); Play Scotland; Scottish Out of School Care Network; Scottish Childminding Association and the Scottish Pre-school Play Association. Known contacts within various local authorities were also asked to disseminate the information. Inspiring Scotland also disseminated the information to organisations within its portfolio of play organisations.

A total of 68 responses were logged, however 31 of these proved to be blank or have insufficient data to be of use; 6 organisations also repeated responses. There were also a number of colleges and qualification providers which also completed the survey but these were also discounted, as the purpose of this survey was to map Continuing Professional Development training and not qualifications.

Some training organisations also provided information about training courses which were neither related to play nor physical activity, such as healthy snacks or using floor books, and they have not been included.

A total of 22 unique responses from different play training providers were analysed.

Results from Training Provider Survey

1. Are you restricted to working within specific geographical locations in Scotland?

Yes (6) 24% No (16) 76%

6 training organisations indicated that they were only able to operate within specific geographical areas; the areas are Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire; South Ayrshire and Scottish Borders. Three organisations indicated they work primarily in specific locations City of Edinburgh; Highlands/Moray and Midlothian although training could be either open to participants from other areas or delivered in other areas.

2. During the past 12 months in which local authorities have you delivered play training?

Figure 4: Local Authority Areas where play training is delivered

During the past 12 months we can see that the most play training has been delivered within Glasgow (12 training providers), followed by Aberdeen City (9 training providers), then City of Edinburgh (8 training providers) and then Fife, Midlothian and Stirling (5 training providers). At the opposite end of the scale, none of the training providers has said they had delivered play training in East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire or the Western Isles.

3. Are you aware of the National Play Strategy and associated Action Plan?

Yes (22) 100% No (0) 0%

All of the play training providers are aware of the National Play Strategy and associated Action Plan.

4. If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, have you changed your play training to support any aspects of the action plan?

Yes (10) 50% No (10) 50%

There was an even split in terms of whether the training providers had changed their play training to support any aspects of the action plan- some of those who said 'no' indicated that their training already contained aspects of the play strategy anyway, prior to its publication.

5. If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, please can you state how you changed your training? (Below is a selection of comments as to how training has been changed.)

"One of the key elements of our training is supporting play in the community and at home."

"By incorporating the vision of the Scottish Play Strategy and demonstrating how links can be made to the action plan. By promoting Scotland's Play Strategy to those who do not know about it and providing the links to download it."

"Although much of our work pre-dates the Play Strategy, we have increased our promotion (and therefore uptake) of our Playtime Revolution and INSET/In-service work to complement changing mindsets and approaches more than physical spaces."

"Incorporating information re the Play Strategy into the training content and supporting groups with their plans to implement it."

"Used to evidence need for play, and as to support argument for play."

"One of the key elements of our training is supporting play in the community and at home."

6. Are you aware of the UN's General Comment on article 31, the child's right to culture, leisure, rest and play?

Yes (22) 100% No (0)

All training providers are aware of the General Comment on article 31.

7. If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, have you changed your play training to support any aspects of the action plan?

Yes (12) 55% No (10) 45%

Similar to the response above some of those play training providers who said 'no' indicated that their training already contained aspects of the general comment, prior to its publication.

8. If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, can you please state how the training has been changed to reflect the General Comment on article 31?

"Ensure candidate's awareness of the UNCRC and an overview of the relevant articles within this and ensuring that the candidates recognise how they facilitate and promote these within their practice."

"The training now includes a slide to explain Article 31. We discuss Inclusion and what it means, how we can include children with ASN to reach their potential and access activities and play in mainstream settings."

"All play training refers to Article 31 in its entirety. I also include the General comment on Article 31 and indicate how we each need to improve our understanding of this article in order to facilitate play. I also link other articles that naturally present themselves when working alongside children in their playful states."

"The training session focuses on article 31 and the child's right to play."

"In 2011, I changed my approach to working with schools to ensure that we took a sustainable and rights-based approach. I have always ensured that any work is participative and fully involves children, My recent book puts valuing play as one of the golden principles of learning outdoors - so that ideas around play go beyond simply playtimes in schools."

"Including statements from the general comment and demonstrating how article 31 links naturally to other articles has been well received. Also raising awareness of what a general comment is and how crucial this has been to the play movement."

The following table summarises the responses from the play training providers in terms of the organisation's name, geographical area of operation, training course title, length of course, current target audience and potential additional target audience.

Full contact details of the organisations as well as training course descriptors and details can be found in the appendices.

TABLE K: Play Training course Providers

Course	Length	Target audience	Additional Target
ABERDEEN PLAY FORUM (Aberdeen City/Aberdeenshire only)
Positive Play Training	3 days	PSAs	Teachers, childcare practitioners and play workers would benefit.
Introduction to play	2 hours	Childcare practitioners and playworkers	Education staff, and other professionals working with children and young people
Play theories	2 hours	Childcare practitioners and playworkers	Don't know
Loose parts play workshop	1 hour	Childcare practitioners and playworkers	None
Den building workshop	1 hour	Childcare practitioners and playworkers
ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT (South Ayrshire only)
Play	1 full day	Modern apprenticeships 16 - 19	Play leaders within ASC
CAPABILITY SCOTLAND (Across Scotland)
Everybody in - inclusive play training	3 hours	Mainstream childcare workers	None
All together now	4 x 30 min sessions	Pre-school children up to teenagers	Nursery and other childcare staff, possibly even school learning assistants/teachers.
CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL, PLAY DEVELOPMENT (City of Edinburgh, although some events are open to partners in other local authorities)
Introductory loose parts play training	Full day	School staff (head teacher, teachers, support & janitorial staff), authority wide or in individual schools
CARE AND LEARNING ALLIANCE (CALA) (Mainly in Highland and Moray- some training now available across Scotland.)
BHF Active Club	2 hours	Out of school care staff	Don't know
Play into practice	Full day, 1 day per week for 5 weeks	New or unqualified out of school care practitioners.	Unqualified play workers
Risky play	2 hours	Early years and out of school care staff	Don't know
Risk assessment for childcare providers	2 hours	Staff working in childcare 0 - 16.	Don't know
Messy play	2 hours	Parents or practitioners working with children 0 - 5s and 3 - 12 years (adapted to suit)	Don't know
CREATIVE STAR LEARNING COMPANY (Across Scotland)
Bespoke courses	Twilight/half day/full day	School staff in primary schools and early years & childcare settings. Predominantly during school hours rather than out of school provision.	Don't know
Professional site visits to schools	Half day/ full day	Children, parents, school staff, interested members of the school community	Outdoor educators, rangers, gardeners and others who work with children but may not have considered facilitating play as part of their remit.
Family & Community Development West Lothian (Across Scotland)
Adventure time	3 hours	Anyone who works where children play	Don't know
Snack Attack	2 hours	Anyone who works where children play.	Don't know
Playing with the Playwork Curriculum	2 hours	Anyone who works where children play.	Don't know
Grounds for Learning (Across Scotland)
Bespoke training / supported sessions	1 day to 10 days across 14 months	School staff - leadership, teachers and play supervisors.	None
Playtime Revolution	10 sessions of 1hr each	School staff - leadership, teachers and play supervisors.	Don't know
Let Loose	Half to full day	School staff - leadership, teachers and play supervisors.	Don't know
Play Designer Training	1 day	Landscape Architects / Architects.	Local authority staff, especially risk managers, insurance managers and property maintenance managers.
HiMATS (Across Scotland)
Process of Play, on-line self-study course	Flexible	Childcare workers	The course is suitable for everyone working with children either as an introduction/foundation course or CPD - childminders and summer play scheme staff would find it useful. Workers who have SVQs or HNCs would find it useful as a CPD course
Play into Practice	6 days (delivered in partnership with CALA)	Early years and out of school care staff	Childminders and crèche workers would find this useful amongst other childcare workers
Playing Up!	3 full days plus self-study	Experienced childcare workers	All staff who already hold a qualification - including team leaders and managers.
IPA SCOTLAND (Across Scotland)
Article 31 and the child's right to play	2 hours	Networks of individuals working with children and young people across Scotland.	Anyone working with children, young people and families; parents and carers.
Megan's Specialist Training (Across Scotland)
Playworkers toolkit	12 hours (delivered by 4 sessions of 3 hours)	Support workers, practitioners, managers in out of school care	Street workers, play rangers, education professionals (teachers/classroom assistants), youth workers
Observing Play	3 hours	Support workers, practitioners, managers in out of school care	As above
Article 31	3 hours	Support workers, practitioners, managers in out of school care	As above
Reviewing Scotland's Play Strategy	6 hours	Support workers, practitioners, managers in out of school care	As above
Midlothian Association of Play (Primarily in Midlothian, but can work with partners in other local authorities.)
Free play	2.5 - 3.5 hours	People who are relatively new to children's play from any sector. It is aimed primarily at those working with children aged 5-12 although elements are applicable to all ages.	Currently most people who book this course are playworkers from after school clubs or playgroups in Midlothian. It would benefit the same people throughout Scotland. It would also benefit anyone working where children play - residential childcare, school staff, youth workers, etc.
Engaging children in developing your play services	2.5 - 3.5 hours	The session is primarily aimed at those working with children aged 5-12 in a play setting, though elements will be relevant to younger age groups.	As above
Creating inclusive play opportunities	2.5 - 3.5 hours	It draws on work with children aged 5-12 although much of it will be relevant to younger age groups.	As above
Developing a play policy	2.5 - 3.5 hours	Anyone working where children play	As above
Playwork intervention approaches	2.5 - 3.5 hours	People with some playwork experience and knowledge who are looking to expand more on this and reflect further on their practice.	As above
Risk and play	2.5 - 3.5 hours	Anyone working where children play, primarily those working with children aged 5 upwards though general principles would be applicable to younger age groups.	As above
PLAY BORDERS (Scottish Borders only)
Old School Games workshop	2 hours	Staff in child care settings (including early years, schools and out of school clubs)/child minders/parent/carer	Don't know
PLAY FIRST (SCOTLAND) LTD (Across Scotland)
Playing with Plants	2 - 4 hours	Playworkers	Local authorities additional to ones already working in.
Play with Tools	2 - 4 hours	Playworkers	As above
Float your boat	2 hours	Playworkers	As Above
PEEK - POSSIBILITIES FOR EACH AND EVERY KID (Across Scotland)
An introduction to Play Theory	Full day/ half day	PSAs, Nursery teachers & Youth Workers	Teachers & Head teachers need to also buy into this training so that in a school environment leaders can better support and understand the staff working in the ground.
Ideas for Free Play Outdoors	Full day/ half day	PSAs, Nursery teachers/youth workers and young volunteers	After school care and parents
Physical Literacy & Active Play	1 or 2 full days	Other play workers / nursery workers/Young Volunteers	Out of School Cares, Youth Workers, PSAs
Cotton Wool Culture and Risk Benefit	Full day/ half day	PSAs, Nursery teachers & Youth Workers	After school care setting; planners & designers; parents
Play Scotland (Across Scotland)
Play Strategy	4-7 hours	4 hours - all involved with children and wider policies. 7 hours - as above plus practising play workers	Architects, planners and transport should be part of this course. Sometimes they come to the course depending on the local authority.
Managing Risk in Play Provision	4 hours	Playworkers, early years, education, open space, parks,	Teachers and head teachers
PDA Strategic Planning for Play	One day a month for four months.	Local authority planners, architects, education, health, green space, play workers.	Senior managers across departments in local authorities
Scottish Out of School Care Network (SOSCN) (Across Scotland)
Health and wellbeing - physical activity	2 - 3 hours	Out of school care staff	Other childcare providers and potentially teaching staff.
Achieving Quality Scotland Mentoring Programme	6 x 2 hour sessions	Out of school care services	Other group childcare services
Scottish Pre-school Play Association (SPPA) - soon to become Early Years Scotland (Across Scotland)
Learning Together Through Play	This varies according to the needs and interests of the particular individuals and groups	Prison Staff, Prisoners, Prisoners' Partners and children 0-5	There is a range of staff in the voluntary sector, such as family support workers who may well benefit from this training. Also support staff linked to contexts such as, hospital, homeless settings, health and social care, residential childcare, fostering, some nursery provision and so forth. In fact, this kind of training would be helpful and relevant for any setting where staff work to support parents and children to improve and strengthen relationships and interactions through shared play.
Stay and Play and Off To a Good Start	The number and duration of sessions vary according to the needs and interests of individuals and particular groups.	Parents of young children 0-5 years	There are probably many parents and young children who would enjoy and benefit from this type of learning, development and experience
Smart Play Network (Across Scotland)
Introduction to Free Play using Scrap and Loose Parts	1 day (but can be adapted to a half day)	Practitioners working with children and families.	Pupil Support Assistants (PSAs) - although some LAs recognise the need to provide training to PSAs in play, others do not. Social Workers - students and qualified teachers.
Positive Play	1 - 3 days	PSAs	Specific geographical locations - there seems to be an emphasis on play training for central belt Authorities, Aberdeen and perhaps Highland, but many others are not accessing this for a number of reasons.
Play on Wheels Workshops (Dundee and Fife)	Varied - 2 hour, four to eight week sessions	Parents and Practitioners	Areas outwith Dundee and Fife
Starcatchers (Across Scotland)
Creative Skills Programme	24 hours in total- either half days or full days	Early years practitioners and HNC students	Playworkers, childminders and early years practitioners in the third sector
TCV Scotland (The Conservation Volunteers Scotland) (Across Scotland)
Outdoor play	Full day	Staff who work with children and want to gain skills in outdoor play	Professionals who work with children with disabilities and who would like encourage outdoor play

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

As highlighted in the introduction this section is most relevant as an information gathering tool to ascertain what sort of play training is available in Scotland at present and at best can be seen as a barometer of what is currently available.

Questions for further consideration

1. Why do some local authorities experience a much higher percentage of play training than others- is this due to local availability, population sizes (and therefore increased demand) or some other factor such as a local authority area being more generally supportive of play than others?
2. In areas where there is little or no evidence of additional play training being undertaken, should these be seen to be "target areas" for additional play training?
3. Many of the training providers have identified that their training courses have a specific target audience e.g. out of school care workers, or teaching staff, but equally there are other audiences who could benefit from this training- is there a way of facilitating and encouraging joint training for different target audiences?
4. Is there a need/would it be beneficial for a play training providers forum to discuss issues and also ensure that there is shared guidance and perspectives in terms of what is being delivered, i.e. agreed common core values?
5. Would a national directory of play training providers be of use; if so, how would this operate and who would be responsible for ensuring that it is maintained?