Contexts of Play and Playwork

In the world of playwork it is sometimes easy to forget that playwork can take place in many different places and in different ways across the diversity of children that we work with.

Inclusion is an action - Nic James & Sion Edwards

This session explores the journey of establishing playwork provision for children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g. autism, ADHD) on an adventure playground in Wales. It also outlines the experience of the neurodivergent playworkers who made it happen - how it impacted their practice, challenged their preconceptions, and changed the way they themselves were perceived and treated. What happens when the needs of the many collide with the needs of the few? What happens when the opinions of the powerful oppose the experience of the minority? Whether just starting out or already delivering inclusive provision, this session will share our (and your) practical tips and resources to make authentic inclusive play a reality.

TIME: 9:30 - 10:45 LENGTH: 1 hour 15 minutes

Play and playwork in healthcare and health policy - Adrian Voce

This session will consider current developments within the NHS in England, which is increasingly considering the vital role of play specialists and playworkers in the care and treatment of babies, children and young people. NHS England is soon to publish new national standards and guidance for health play services, produced for it by a taskforce jointly convened with Starlight, who have also been commissioned to lead on a new workforce development strategy for the health play field. We will explore the implications of these developments for playwork; and, in this election year, how growing evidence of the role of play in children's health and wellbeing may hold out opportunities for wider policy gains for the play advocacy movement.

TIME: 11:00 - 11:45 LENGTH: 45minutes

Playwork Practice with the Prison Sector -
Emma Booth

This session will discuss the preliminary findings of my PhD research “An examination of Playwork Practice, within the Prison Sector”. The session will focus on the practice of playwork in prisons, from the playworkers perspective and consider a range of the challenges faced with this environment. 

TIME: 11:45 - 13:15 LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes

TBC

TIME: 13:30 - 14:15 LENGTH: 45 minutes