WEDNESDAY PM
ROUND TABLES 16 - 20
TABLE.16
Campaigning against the cuts
Unite the Union
Unite for playworkers - Playworkers and the trade union movement - a discussion for activists and noobies
To be a playworker is to be engaged in politics; our very work is a political statement. How is it then that most playworkers are not members of a trade union or politically active? Are these statements true? – Discuss.
Trade Unions exist to better people’s lives through working together. They have struggled to improve working conditions, pay, and the quality of life for those who work, and to a large extend they have succeeded. Many of the practices we take for granted today, such as working a reasonable number of hours per week, paid holidays and employer contributions to pensions are all a result of the trade union movement’s work.
Unite argues that playworkers should be paid a professional rate for the professional work we do. If we are not working actively towards this we are devaluing the very work we do with children and young people. When we say that we should be treated as professionals and rewarded accordingly, we are also saying that children’s play should be valued.
Only by working together can these results be achieved. This round table, facilitated by Chris Martin from the Community and Youth Workers in Unite the Union (formerly CYWU), aims to look at how playworkers can engage with trade unions, and how unions can engage with playworkers, and what the issues are.
Warning – this round table may contain controversial discussion and extreme opinions!
TABLE 17
Funding for playwork
As an ‘ex’ LSC person and having the sort of mind that can address these complicated matters. Steve is possibly one of the best people currently around to help us with ideas and processes to do with playwork and where the money is coming from.
TABLE 18
Inclusive playwork
Another talk about disabled children and being inclusive? But we've heard it all before?!
You may have listened to information about inclusive play before, but are you actually supporting disabled children in the communities in which you work? Do you reflect and assess your own policies, procedures and practice (on an ongoing basis) to uncover how it is you can make your setting a welcoming and supportive environment for all children?
During this round table we will play games and use group discussions to explore the following questions (and any others you want answers to!):
* What does inclusion mean to you personally?
* What does inclusion mean in your setting?
* What does an inclusive play setting look and feel like?
* But what if parents of disabled children don't want their child to come to our setting? What else can we do?TABLE 19
Childrens’ Play and the outdoors
Children’s Play and the Outdoors. Playwork Partnerships has advocated on behalf of children and young people in this work since 2004, have written publications and courses to support this work. In this session there will be an opportunity to explore children’s access to free play in the outdoor, what playworkers and local community groups can do to support children’s access to the outdoors, an opportunity to share experiences and celebrate successes exploring how barriers might be overcome to increase children’s enjoyment of their local spaces.
TABLE 20
Play rangers or mobile playworkers
Steve Bowers and the Exeter Team
The Exeter play ranger team have been working very hard! But are they play rangers or mobile playworkers? What is the difference and what are the overlaps. This table explores the conundrum that has been raised by the over familiarity with a job title of ‘play ranger’ and the possible lack of understanding of just what they are.
Organised by 
in a better enviroment 