FAQs - qualifications

FAQs – qualifications

Playwork qualifications – frequently asked questions for staff working in registered childcare and playwork settings.

These frequently asked questions have been generated in response to qualification queries received by Play Wales, Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs, Social Care Wales and members of the Playwork Education and Training Council for Wales (PETC Wales).

They will be reviewed as changes to qualifications in Wales occur and as new questions are generated.

Please note there are two sets of questions – for those in year round settings and those working in holiday play schemes.

Year round settings How are childcare and playwork settings regulated?

Any settings working regularly with children under the age of 12 for more than two hours per day and more than five days per year are required by law to be registered with the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).

More information: www.careinspectorate.wales The ‘National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to 12 years’ (NMS) contain the standards against which settings are inspected and also any possible exemptions.

More information about the current NMS and childcare regulations: www.careinspectorate.wales/regulations-andnational-minimum-standards-day-care-and-play

I’ve received feedback from our CIW inspector that I don’t fully agree with, what should I do?

You are entitled to query decisions from inspectors that may relate to any aspect of your work.

This may include: qualifications and experience of staff, policies and procedures, working practices, risk management or the physical environment.

Not every setting meets these challenges in the same way and if you feel this is not reflected in the advice you have received, or feedback at the time of the inspection, then you should challenge what is being said.

Later, if you disagree with what is in your inspection report, it is okay to challenge this in writing, although you should try and do this within the timescale set. If you still feel that matters have not been resolved to your satisfaction you should contact Play Wales for further advice.

More information from CIW about responding to an inspection report: www.careinspectorate.wales/providing-a-careservice/our-inspections

What has changed in relation to qualification requirements for those working in registered settings?

In 2014, new regulations increased the age range that settings providing childcare need to be registered for. Settings looking after children up to the age of 12 are now required to be registered whereas previously it was those looking after children under eight. This means that in many cases, staff will need to hold a playwork qualification as well as an early years/childcare qualification.

We work with children up to the age of 12 and heard that we don’t need to gain playwork qualifications until 2021.

Is this correct?

Yes and no. In September 2017, Welsh Government issued a circular letter to clarify the qualification requirements for those working in registered settings with children up to the age of 12. The lead in time is for existing registered childcare settings to gain playwork qualifications to work with children over the age of eight by September 2021.

For new registrations, settings will need to demonstrate that the required ratios of qualified staff are met.

More information: www.gov.wales/topics/peopleand-communities/people/children-and-youngpeople/childcare/regulation/?skip=1&lang=en

When do I need to have playwork qualifications?

According to the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare, if you work in provision that is registered as open access playwork or out of school childcare you should have a playwork qualification that is listed on the SkillsActive List of Required Qualifications to work within the Playwork Sector in Wales. Playwork has always

been the qualification for people working in these types of settings with children up to the age of eight. Since changes to legislation, this now includes work with children up to the age of 12.

Where can I find the qualifications lists?

Social Care Wales’ List of Required Qualifictions to work within the Early Years and Childcare Sector in Wales and SkillsActive’s List of Required Qualifications to work within the Playwork Sector in Wales are both available to download at: www.playwales.org.uk/eng/requiredqualifications

What age ranges do playwork qualifications allow me to work with?

Playwork qualifications are mainly intended for those working with children aged five to 16 in a playwork setting. However, there may be occasions when children as young as three attend a playwork setting. There are some crossovers in the age ranges of different qualifications depending on the type of setting you work in. This allows for some flexibility.

The Children’s Care Learning and Development (CCLD) qualification is for those working with children under eight years old in early years and childcare settings. Youth work qualifications are intended for those working with young people

aged 11 to 25. This arrangement reflects the very different skills required to work in early years, playwork and youth work.

What about Children’s Care Learning and Development (CCLD) – doesn’t that qualify me to work with older children too?

No. Whilst CCLD includes learning around children’s development up to the age of 19 it has always been intended for those working solely with children under the age of eight. The assessment of practice within CCLD is only of work with children under five (early years settings).

The inclusion of children up to the age of 19 is intended to address the specific requirements of older disabled children and their respective developmental and care needs.

CCLD also does not contain any content on facilitating play using a playwork approach and is therefore unsuitable for those requiring playwork knowledge.

I am working in an open access playwork setting or after school club with children aged five and over, what qualifications do I need?

If you work in a non-supervisory role, you need a Level 2 playwork qualification that is included in the SkillsActive List of Required Qualifications for your type of provision. At Level 2 the regulations require that 50 percent of staff in a setting are qualified to Level 2, this is to allow staff train ‘on the job’.

If you work in a supervisory role, are the registered person or named person in charge of the setting, you need a Level 3 playwork qualification that is included in the SkillsActive List of Required Qualifications for your type of provision.

What about transitional awards?

There is currently a transitional award at Level 3 from early years to playwork. This award is intended for those with a Level 3 CCLD qualification to gain playwork knowledge. The transitional award is on the SkillsActive List of Required Qualifications and meets requirements for registration.

However, it was always intended for those whose main role is with children aged under eight. If staff are working more in a playwork role than an early years and childcare role they should be undertaking one of the diploma level playwork qualifications on the SkillsActive List of Required Qualifications.

For those with Level 2 CCLD, Agored Cymru’s Level 2 Award in Playwork Practice (L2APP) is suitable as a transitional award at Level 2.

More information about L2APP: www.playwales.org.uk/eng/l2app

I work in the early years and have a childcare qualification (for example CCLD) but also work in an out of school childcare setting, do I need a playwork qualification?

Yes. The qualification for people working in out of school childcare is playwork. If your work is mostly with younger children an appropriate transitional qualification will be suitable. However, if your out of school provision is part of a full day care registration it’s worth discussing with your CIW inspector to ask if they can apply any discretion regarding qualifications.

I only work with children under the age of five, do I need a playwork qualification?

No. If you work solely with children under the age of five you should hold the appropriate qualification listed on Social Care Wales’ List of Required Qualifications.

I have a teaching, youth work, sports coaching or other qualification – does that allow me to work in a playwork or out of school childcare setting?

No. Playwork is a distinct profession and has distinct skills and knowledge. Without an appropriate playwork qualification you can’t be a registered person, person in charge or part of the ratios of qualified non-supervisory staff (currently 50 percent of staff in any registered setting need to be Level 2 qualified).

Why are there two qualifications lists?

What are holiday play schemes?

Currently, Social Care Wales has responsibility for the early years and childcare workforce.

SkillsActive, the UK wide Sector Skills Council, has responsibility for playwork. Whilst some of the skills across these two sectors are shared they are currently represented by different organisations.

Holiday play schemes are short term provision operating during the school holidays and may be registered as either open access play provision or out of school childcare, depending on the level of care provided, as defined in the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to 12 years.

Can I access funded playwork qualifications?

Currently, most of the funding being made available by Welsh Government for playwork qualifications is through an apprenticeship route.

This approach includes a playwork qualification alongside numeracy, literacy and communication skills and is undertaken within the workplace.

If you wish to access a funded playwork qualification via a regular qualification route, you should approach Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales, Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs, local colleges and training providers to see if they are running any funded courses.

Holiday play schemes serve to meet the needs of the community and may be a small business or managed by the local authority, Community Council, larger third sector organisation, voluntary management committee or a community association.

Due to the short term nature of this type of provision, staff in holiday play schemes may be volunteers or paid. Staff may be qualified in other work with children or be studying for other roles within the children’s workforce.

What about online playwork courses?

We don’t recommend that learners undertake fully online courses. Playwork is a profession that requires skills in working with people. The teaching and assessment that happens in the classroom with other people is extremely important. When learners attend classroom sessions they benefit from direct contact with a tutor as well as the opportunity to share practice with other playworkers. This can not be replicated effectively by a distance learning course.

Care should also be taken as some online courses are offered as ‘accredited CPD’ which means they are professional development opportunities and do not qualify learners to be playworkers.

Holiday play schemes The FAQ’s for year round settings also apply to holiday play schemes but there are some special considerations to support holiday play schemes to overcome the challenges of qualifying a seasonal workforce.

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Why are there different qualification requirements for those working in holiday play schemes?

Because holiday play schemes are often staffed by volunteers, temporary staff or those who are qualified in other parts of the children’s workforce, Welsh Government recognises that requiring people to undertake diploma level qualifications that can take 12 to 18 months to complete is disproportionate and largely unachievable for most people.

To provide achievable, proportionate qualifications that reflect the way that holiday play schemes operate, and supports them to be registered, Welsh Government has funded the development of qualifications specifically for holiday play scheme staff: •

Level 2 Award in Playwork Practice (L2APP) for non-supervisory staff www.playwales.org.uk/eng/l2app

•

Level 3 Award in Managing a Holiday Play Scheme (MAHPS) for supervisory staff www.playwales.org.uk/eng/mahps

I am working in a holiday play scheme as a non-supervisory member of staff, what qualifications do I need?

Any of the Level 2 playwork qualifications on the SkillsActive List of Required Qualifications are suitable. Agored Cymru’s Level 2 Award in Playwork Practice (L2APP) has been developed especially for you. The course can be completed in three days taught time with additional time for assessment of knowledge and practice – a work placement of 20 hours is also required to complete the qualification.

I am working in a holiday play scheme as a manager, person in charge or registered person and I have an existing Level 3 qualification in a related field (teaching, youth work, early years), do I need another qualification?

Yes. You can undertake Agored Cymru’s Level 3 Managing a Holiday Play Scheme Award (MAHPS). This course can be completed in three

to four days taught time with additional time for assessment of knowledge. This course gives the contextual knowledge relating to playwork practice and your legal responsibilities as a manager of a holiday play scheme.

I am working on a holiday play scheme as a manager, person in charge or registered person but do not currently have a level 3 qualification, what qualification do I need?

You will need to complete a Level 3 playwork qualification from the SkillsActive List of Required Qualifications.

I am working in England and it seems there are different arrangements here.

There are. The Westminster Government has decided that any regulatory criteria will no longer include a requirement for providers to ensure any of their staff hold relevant qualifications. However, Play Wales recommends exploring a range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) options for playworkers in England: •

Attendance at key meetings, seminars and conferences

•

Undertaking short courses or larger qualifications

•

Private study and reading

•

Observation, mentoring and feedback on working practice.

Where can I find out more about playwork qualifications?

If you haven’t found the answer to your question in these FAQ’s please email our Workforce Development Officer: workforce@playwales.org.uk

December 2018 Š Play Wales

www.playwales.org.uk

Play Wales is the national organisation for children’s play, an independent charity supported by the Welsh Government to uphold children’s right to play and to provide advice and guidance on play-related matters.

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