Links
Here is a selection of links (in alphabetical order) you may find useful. If you can think of any others we should add, please contact us and we will add them to the list.
4Children (formerly Kids Club Network)
4Children is the national charity dedicated to creating opportunities and building futures for children.
The Association of Directors of Children's Services
The Association of Directors of Children's Services - ADCS - is the national leadership Association in England for statutory directors of children's services and other children's services professionals in leadership roles.
Association of Volunteer Managers
Launched on 4th June, 2007, an association run by volunteer managers for volunteer managers.
CACHE
We are the only organisation whose sole aim is to develop courses and qualifications for people who work, or want to work, in child care. But what makes us stand out is our awareness of the bigger picture: the children, their carers, the sector as a whole.
Centres for Playwork Education & Training
A link to the SkillsActive website where you can find details of the nine regional centres for playwork education and training.
Child Accident Prevention Trust
Lots of information, news and advice.
Children's Information Services
Every local authority in England has a CIS which can help families, employers and childcare providers by:
providing informed and unbiased guidance on choosing childcare in your area
providing information on finding a good work–life balance
providing information on financial benefits
helping employers to create a good work–life balance for their employees
by offering childcare providers advice and support in finding employment and training.
Children's Play Council
Under the umbrella of the National Children's Bureau, the Children's Play Council (CPC) is an alliance of national and regional voluntary organisations, local authorities and partnerships promoting children's right to play and the development of play provision in England.
Children's Play Information Service
The CPIS is a specialist information resource on play, based at the National Children's Bureau and funded by the DCMS and the BIG Lottery Fund through the Play England project. CPIS provides a telephone, letter and email enquiry service; specific subject searches on request; details of organisations working in the field of play; and free factsheets and reading lists on play-related topics.
Children's Rights Alliance for England
CRAE is an alliance of over 380 voluntary and statutory organisations committed to the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
City & Guilds
City & Guilds is the UK's leading vocational awarding body, offering more than 500 qualifications over 28 sectors, including playwork.
Clubs for Young People
CYP is a UK-wide network of clubs, services, projects and activities, providing support for young people in their local community.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Acting to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
Early Support
This website is for anyone who works regularly with very young children and for families. It explains how the Early Support programme is facilitating better coordination of information and service delivery in response to the objectives set by the Government green paper Every Child Matters.
Edexcel
Edexcel works closely with schools, colleges, universities, employers and training providers to help them deliver Edexcel qualifications around the world.
European Social Fund
Supporting the annual UK Employment Action Plan, which sets out how UK policies and initiatives take account of the Employment Guidelines established within the European Employment Strategy. ESF is channelled through three Structural Fund Objectives and the EQUAL Community Initiative.
Every Child Matters
In 2003, the Government published a green paper called Every Child Matters. This was published alongside the formal response to the report into the death of Victoria Climbié. The green paper built on existing plans to strengthen preventative services and prompted an unprecedented debate about services for children, young people and families resulting in Every Child Matters: the Next Steps, and the Children Act 2004, providing the legislative spine for developing more effective and accessible services focused around the needs of children, young people and families.
Every Child Matters: Change for Children was published in November 2004 and this website was launched soon afterwards.
Every Disabled Child Matters
The government says that Every Child Matters – so why aren't disabled children getting their rights? An organisation aiming to put that right.
Extended Schools - Children Now
Join up to this new section in the Children Now magazine which gives practical advice and support for people involved in constructing extended schools. It will be accompanied by an email bulletin containing news updates and job vacancies.
EYDCP Training Officers
Contact your local training officer for details on training and qualifications in your area. Many of the south-east's EYDCPs also sponsor places at the PSE annual playworker conference.
Fair Play for Children
A play association that works to promote and protect the child's right to play.
Forest Schools
If you are currently running a Forest Schools project or initiative in the UK you can get yourself listed in the new Forest Schools directory on this brand new website. Contact dave@archimedes-training.co.uk to get your project listed or for more information.
Foundation Degree Forward
A government white paper The Future of Higher Education (published in January 2003) announced the establishment of Foundation Degree Forward (fdf). fdf was subsequently launched in the summer of 2003. fdf's primary objective is to support the development of high quality Foundation degrees. fdf works in partnership with all relevant agencies, institutions, organisations and interest groups to ensure that the development of Foundation degrees is driven by the needs of employers and students.
Foundation for Learning Disabilities
Promoting the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families.
Free Play Network
A network of individuals and organisations that aims to promote the need for better play opportunities for children.
Hospital Play Staff Education Trust
Information about training and career prospects.
Institute for Sport, Parks and Leisure
ISPAL is the new professional body representing the workforce in the sport, parks and leisure industries, formed from ILAM and NASD. ISPAL provides qualifications, CPD, training, career and job advice, a high tech and fast access information service, a magazine, and frequent e-zines.
In Our Hands
A Learning and Skills Council website giving advice on training and professional development.
Institute for Outdoor Learning
The Institute for Outdoor Learning encourages outdoor learning by developing quality, safety and opportunity to experience outdoor activity provision and by supporting and enhancing the good practice of those who work in the outdoors. IOL is a key player in representing and lobbying on behalf of the sector.
IOL supports your work whether you are a professional outdoor practitioner, field study officer, instructor, teacher, youth worker, outdoor leader, management development trainer, student or anyone involved in learning outdoors.
Joint National Council on Training for Playwork (JNCTP)
JNCTP exists to support and promote playwork education, training and qualifications that reflect the values of playwork. JNCTP is the national organisation for everyone involved in playwork education and training. It is completely independent of Government and all other national organisations.
Kent Play Clubs
Kent Play Clubs is a charity that enables local communities to provide affordable after school care and holiday schemes, packed with activities and new opportunities, for 4 – 12 year olds, in rural communities and urban areas where there is particular need.
Kids
This new site is an integral part of Kids' aim to provide a range of paths to inclusion, and incorporates their new logo and visual identity. The website also reflects the integration of Kids and inclusive play organisation, Kidsactive. The National Development Division offers training, consultancy, publications and advice to professionals as well as the Playwork Inclusion Project and the National Inclusive Play Network.
Kids PIP - Playwork Inclusion Project
Kids National Development Division runs the Playwork Inclusion Project (PIP) which is funded under a strategic partnership with the Sure Start Unit at the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). PIP aims to increase the numbers of disabled children in play and childcare settings, and promote a culture of inclusion and acceptance among play and childcare providers.This is carried out through training for service providers, regional seminars and network meetings on inclusive play, as well as by providing guidance for policy makers.
Lifelong Learning Network
Government supported website for the encouragement, promotion and development of lifelong learning, supported by the Individual Learning Division of the Department for Education and Skills
Life Long Learning UK
Lifelong Learning UK is the Sector Skills Council responsible for the professional development of all those working in community learning and development; further education; higher education; libraries, archives and information services; and work-based learning. (Since January 2004, LLUK has taken over the work of three former national training organisations, FENTO, PAULO and isNTO, together with the NTO responsibilities of HESDA.)
London Play
If you live or work in the Greater London area, sign up for London Play membership. It's free and benefits include free or discounted services, a quarterly newsletter and regular updates on play in the capital.
Live or work outside London? Become a supporter and benefit from discounts, play updates and news. Donations to help us better fulfil our mission are always welcome too.
Milton Keynes Play Association
A link to all the play associations in the south east.
National Association for Voluntary and Community Action
NAVCA is the national voice of local voluntary and community sector infrastructure in England. Our 360 members work with 140,000 local community groups and voluntary organisations which provide services, regenerate neighbourhoods, increase volunteering and tackle discrimination, in partnership with local public bodies.
National Association of Hospital Playstaff
The object of this charity is to promote the physical and mental well being of children and young people who are patients in hospital, hospice or receiving medical care at home. The charity aims to promote high professional standards for play staff, and to ensure the provision of appropriate therapeutic and stimulating play facilities in hospital. NAHPS provides professional support for all hospital play staff.
National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries
The National Association of Toy & Leisure Libraries (NATLL) is the national body for toy and leisure libraries in the UK. Founded in 1972 as the Toy Libraries Association (TLA), it became the National Toy Libraries Association (NTLA) and in 1993 was renamed the National Association of Toy & Leisure Libraries (NATLL). It has used the campaign title Play Matters since 1983.
National Council of Voluntary Childcare Organisations (NCVCCO)
Established in 1942, NCVCCO is an umbrella organisation with over 100 members, all of which are registered charities. Members are engaged in policy and practice development, delivering services to children, young people, their families and communities.
National Network of Playwork Education and Training
The Playwork Unit in SkillsActive supporting playwork and playworkers.
National Open College Network
NOCN provides national qualifications and programmes in a wide range of subject areas and offers a local accreditation service, through the OCNs, that provides recognition of achievement through the award of credit.
National Playing Fields Association
Playing fields protection is The National Playing Fields Association's (NPFA's) core business. It was founded in 1925 and granted a Royal Charter in 1933. It is the only organisation which has the specific responsibility for ensuring that everyone has play, sport and recreation space close to where they live.
Nixon McInness
If you like our website enough to want one of your own, contact Nixon McInnes for online strategy, design & development.
Open Space
The research centre for inclusive access to outdoor environments, in association with Landscape Architecture, Edinburgh College of Art and the School of the Built Environment, Heriot-Watt University.
OCR
A leading UK awarding body, dedicated to supporting education providers by offering respected qualifications and comprehensive support.
Oxfordshire Play Association
The new website for Oxfordshire Play Association.
Performance Hub
Working to help voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations achieve more through practical information and resources.
Places for Play Exhibition
A site created by PLAYLINK and the Free Play Network to illustrate some of the many imaginative ways of creating play environments.
Play Associations
Play Associations in the south east.
Play England
A new five-year project from the Children's Play Council to promote strategies for free play and to create a lasting support structure for play providers in England, funded through the BIG Lottery.
National Playbus Association
Based in Bristol and Edinburgh, National Playbus Association is the umbrella organisation supporting mobile community work across the United Kingdom.
Playground Fun
Commissioned by the DCMS to offer ideas to keep kids active with outside games. Aimed at 7-9 year olds, with games from other countries and cultures as well as old favourites.
Playlink
Playlink believes that children's freedom to play in their own way is vital to their physical and social development, learning, and quality of life. Their work is directed towards ensuring that all children have easy access to quality play environments.
Play Stories
This site provides a space for playworkers to share stories of their work.
Play Therapy UK
A complete information resource for therapeutic play, play therapy, filial play and creative arts therapies. It's designed for anyone interested in helping children with emotional literacy, behaviour or mental health problem.
RAISE
RAISE was established in 1999 in response to the growing importance of regions in determining social and economic policy. Its mission is "To enable voluntary/community organisations in the South East to influence regional policy wherever it is made or implemented for the benefit of the people they serve."
SkillsActive
The Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning, established by Employers in Sport and Recreation, Health and Fitness, Playwork, The Outdoors and Caravan industries.
SkillsActive Careers
This section of the SkillsActive website has been designed for anybody interested in the wide range of qualifications available across the Active Leisure and Learning Sector, or those wishing to pursue a career in the Sector.
Step in to Learning
A training and development programme for staff and managers in the early years and childcare sector.
SureStart
The government programme aiming to deliver the best start in life for every child, bringing together early education, childcare, health and family support.
Sussex Community Internet Project (SCIP)
SCIP provides IT services exclusively to charities, voluntary and community organisations and other not-for-profit groups in Surrey, Kent and Sussex.
Together for Children
The Together for Children partnership was formed to bring together national expertise in children's services and programme management. Each of the partner organisations has specific areas of expertise and togther they form a strong and dynamic team with an unrivalled national profile and a strong focus on support and delivery. Together for Children has been commissioned by the DfES to support and develop Local Authority children's centres until March 2008.
Training Providers
Playwork training providers in the south east.
Union Learn
Unionlearn helps unions to spread the lifelong learning message to even more members. Their Mission is to: "...increase workers' life chances and strengthen their voice at the workplace through high quality union learning"
VCS Engage
VCS Engage is a national programme, designed to strengthen the engagement of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in the Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda.
Volunteering England
Volunteering England works to support an increase in the quality, quantity, impact and accessibility of volunteering throughout England. This website offers a range of resources for anyone who works with or manages volunteers as well as to those who want to volunteer.
