Playwork Level 3

APPRENTICESHIP

Playwork Level 3

Level 3 Apprenticeship

Playwork The City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Playwork is aimed at learners who are already working in a playwork setting and are in a supervisory role. Settings could be out-of-school work (including afterschool or breakfast clubs) and seasonal holiday clubs. Learners may already be working as Playworkers or Assistant Playworkers or as Children’s Holiday Representatives.

Learners could use the qualification as an Assistant Play Worker / Play Centre Assistant working with children aged 4 – 16 years in: - Play schemes Adventure playgrounds - After-school clubs - Holiday provision

Contents Apprenticeship Framework Level 3 QCF Diploma in Advanced Playwork Essential Skills Qualifications Welsh Language Development

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Apprenticeship Framework The aim of the advanced playwork apprenticeship is to provide learners with the skills and knowledge needed to progress into roles within the sector.

The programme prepares learners for roles such as: • Playworker – supervisor • Deputy Club Manager • Club Manager

Who is this apprenticeship for?

The City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Playwork is aimed at learners who are already working in a playwork setting and are in a supervisory role. Settings could be outof-school work (including afterschool or breakfast clubs) and seasonal holiday clubs. Learners may already be working as Playworkers or Assistant Playworkers or as Children’s Holiday Representatives.

Overview On completion of this apprenticeship you will achieve the following: • Apprenticeship Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Playwork • Level 2 Essential Skills in Communication and Application of Number • Prentis-iaith Welsh Language Development On the following pages, you will find information relating to the main qualification (Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Playwork), as well as other aspects that will make up this apprenticeship programme, including Essential Skills and Welsh Language Development.

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Level 3 Diploma in Playwork This is the qualification you will be completing alongside your employment.

Length of time to complete We will tailor your learning programmes to suit your needs, so that each learner’s experience is unique. While learner’s needs will be different, the recommended time to complete this programme is 16 months.

Course Delivery This programme will primarily be delivered through 1-to-1 sessions with a member of the ACT delivery team, using a mixture of face-to-face and remote learning sessions. An ACT assessor will meet with the learner, either in the workplace or through digital means (for example, Microsoft Teams) once a month for approximately two hours to support progress.

Learners will also be set tasks to complete between each visit, for approximately 4 hours per month (please note – this is just a guide and will vary based on learner needs).

Examples of some of the tasks that might be set by our assessors include: •

Research the Principles and Values of Playwork?

•

Explain how the National Minimum standards impact on your role?

What you will learn This programme is made up of a mixture of mandatory units (these have to be completed by all learners as part of the qualification) and optional units (we will work with you to decide what units are relevant to your role, and your business).

A brief overview of these units is below.

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Mandatory Units •

Understand Playwork Principles

•

Understand Children and Young People’s Self-Directed Play

•

•

•

•

in the Play Environment •

Understand How to Plan for and Support Children and Young People’s

Wellbeing of Children and Young

Self-Directed Play •

Engage in Personal Development in

Understand the Organisation

Health, Social Care or Children’s and

Framework for Play

Young People’s Settings

Understand How to Support

•

Contribute to an Organisational

Positive Outcomes for Children and

Framework that Reflects the Needs,

Young People

and Protects, the Rights of Children and

Understand Relationships in the

Young People

Play Environment •

Understand Health, Safety and Security

Understand How to Safeguard the People

•

•

•

Develop and Maintain a Healthy, Safe

Develop and Promote Positive

and Secure Play Environment for

Relationships in a Play Environment

Children and Young People

Plan for and Support Children and Young People’s Self-Directed Play

Optional units* • Work with Colleagues in a Playwork Team • Engage with Parents, Carers and Families in a Play environment • Administer Playwork Provision • Inclusive Play, Working with Disabled Children and Young People • Promote Own Organisation in the Community •

• Contribute to Evaluating, Developing and Promoting Services • Organise and Supervise Travel • Manage a Budget • Recruit, Select and Keep Colleagues • Provide Learning Opportunities for Colleagues • Allocate and Monitor the Progress and Quality of Work in Own Area of Responsibility

* Don’t worry! During the first visit/meeting, our assessors’ work with all learners and employers to review which of the optional units are the most appropriate for your programme.

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Have any questions about our Level 3 Diploma in Playwork?

We are here to help. If you have any further questions or enquiries about the main qualification element of the programme, please contact our Route Manager: Helen Clarke Route Manager for Playwork, CCPLD, CYP helenclarke@acttraining.org.uk

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Essential Skills Qualifications When you agree to undertake an apprenticeship, you may be required to complete Essential Skills as part of your Apprenticeship framework.

What are Essential Skills?

The Essential Skills Wales (ESW) will be initially assessed via an online Wales Essential Skills Toolkit (WEST) Assessment. If a Learner already holds an ESW certificate or equivalent qualification this can provide a proxy and learners will not need to complete that ESW element of the programme. Where a Learner is not exempt an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) will be generated from the initial WEST assessment. The modules delivery will include independent learning via WEST, prior to guided learning sessions preparing the Learner for their assessment. ESWs are assessed via controlled tasks and confirmatory tests for Communication and Application of Number, Digital Literacy is assessed via a controlled task and structured discussion.

Proxy If you already hold qualifications, these may be used as ‘proxy’ towards your apprenticeship framework. As a result, you will be exempt from achieving that particular Essential Skill, if you wish. This will be discussed with you before you sign up. Below are some examples, although this list is not exhaustive.

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Essential Skill

Proxy

Communication Level 1

GCSE G or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills Wales

Communication Level 2

GCSE C or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills Wales

Communication Level 3

AS/A Level E or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills Wales

Application of Number Level 1

GCSE G or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills Wales

Application of Number Level 2

GCSE C or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills Wales

Application of Number Level 3

AS/A Level E or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills Wales

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Welsh Language Development As part of your Welsh Government funded framework, you will be supported to develop and maintain your Welsh language skills for the workplace.

What is Welsh Language Development?

ACT are committed to playing their part in the Welsh Government Million Speakers strategy. All learners will complete the Prentis-iaith Welsh Language Development course as part of your framework with us.

Don’t panic – this is as a means of development and is aimed to support you with the development of your Welsh Language skills. This course is specially designed to give apprentices a basic knowledge of Welsh for the workplace and consists of 6 interactive modules to complete online. The course will be completed throughout your framework, with support from your assessor.

Already bilingual?

If you are Welsh speaking you will undertake your learning bilingually. In practice this means that you can choose the elements of your learning that you would like to complete through the medium of Welsh. You will be able to discuss your particular preferences with your assessor.

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