NVQ L4 - Playwork

The NVQ Level 4 in Playwork is a nationally recognised qualification for play-workers, awarded by City & Guilds. The course is designed to enhance candidates’ personal growth and development and so enable them to perform their role with greater confidence. A potential job role after completion is Playwork Manager.

How does it work?

Play-workers would be expected to demonstrate competence in providing child-centred play environments and developing opportunities in the community, whilst upholding to protect children from abuse. Candidates are expected to work effectively with colleagues in a team, promote children’s development and relationships through play, and work within Health & Safety guidelines. Candidates must demonstrate competency in four mandatory units and five optional units.

Mandatory units are:

• Work with colleagues and other partners to develop an organisational framework for play
• Develop, manage and review operational plans for play provision
• Establish and develop working relationships (Common Unit with Early Years)
• Reflect on and develop practice (Common Unit with Early Years)

Optional units can be chosen from:

• Obtain additional finance for the organisation
• Manage finance for your area of responsibility
• Recruit, select and keep colleagues
• Provide leadership in your area of responsibility
• Allocate and monitor the progress and quality of work in your area of responsibility
• Provide learning opportunities for colleagues
• Provide Information to support decision making,/li>
• Obtain the facilities and services required for play provision
• Manage and develop play facilities and services
• Work with other organisations, agencies and professionals
• Develop and implement procedures to safeguard children and young people
• Research, design and facilitate possibilities for self-directed play
• Support others in accessing the resources they need to provide play environments