Leadership and Management in Playwork Programme
Edge Hill University is helping to deliver an exciting package of fully funded training for leaders and managers in play.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families' Children’s Plan clearly recognises the need for professionally qualified leaders in Playwork. The need for strong, well-trained leaders and managers throughout the whole children’s workforce was further reinforced in the recently-published 2020 Children and Young People’s Workforce Strategy.
The Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is leading on a range of developments with SkillsActive to support 200 people per year working in leadership and management roles across the play workforce. These developments will enable you to benefit from high quality, graduate level leadership and management training and development. The training, offered by Edge Hill University, will equip you to lead and manage in the context of integrated children’s services.
Is the programme suitable for me?
The programme is expected to attract participants whose role requires thinking strategically about playwork as part of integrated children’s services. This could include:
- Middle managers in local authorities;
- Play rangers and play champions;
- Leaders in play pathfinder and playbuilder local authorities;
- Play service managers and senior / lead practitioners.
For the first phase of the programme, you must work in any of the maintained, private, voluntary or independent sectors and should be in a paid role.
What are the benefits of the programme for me?
- A free graduate level and high quality training programme requiring up to ten days commitment (a combination of face-to-face and independent learning) plus additional independent study that will be delivered across a period of 24 weeks;
- Opportunities to enhance your leadership and management skills and apply them in the context of reflective learning;
- A focus on leadership and management for playwork settings in the context of integrated children’s services;
- Training underpinned by the Playwork Principles;
- A boost to your continuing professional development enabling you to support more and better quality play opportunities for children.
What are the benefits of the programme for my employer?
- Stronger and more creative leadership and management skills in leaders and / or managers with a focus on improving further the delivery of services and outcomes for children;
- Leaders and managers embracing a strategic vision and focus in the context of integrated working;
- Continuing professional development for employees that could link to further high level training and qualifications;
- Course costs fully funded by the Children's Workforce Development Council (employers are expected to support the candidate with release / cover and opportunities to apply learning back in the setting).
Where is the programme available?
The programme is offered at a number of locations. For January 2010 there will be intakes at Middleton, Greater Manchester, Coventry and Cornwall, subject to viability. The course lasts for 24 weeks with a commitment to ten days attendance required over that period.
How do I register?
- Download registration form (pdf) >>
- Return completed registration form to Delyth Mathieson, Faculty of Education, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
Where can I find out more?
If you are interested in finding out more about this exciting new initiative, please contact Jan Jackson in the first instance who will put you in touch with a member of our Playwork team. Jan can be contacted on 01695 650806 or by emailing jacksonj@edgehill.ac.uk.
