Playworker Level 2

Throughout our playworker qualification, learners will build a vast skill set taught across multiple units all relating to areas within the course. Some of these areas will include:

• How to support children and young people’s freely chosen, self-directed play by enhancing the play using appropriate intervention style. Foster children and young people’s development in line with their culture, age and stage of development.

• How to build playful relationships with children, recognising professional boundaries and provide a diverse, inclusive, and accessible setting for all children and young people, taking into consideration any additional requirements they may have.

• How to observe children and young people playing, including how they interact with different environments, other children and young people and staff. Keep reflective records to inform future planning and learn how to use their knowledge of child development, adapting to different behaviours and possible learning needs.

• How to advocate for all children and young people’s right to play when liaising with parents, carer givers, colleagues, local residents, and other professionals.

• How to facilitate the creation of inspiring play spaces with opportunities to include a range of loose parts which foster and stimulate children and young people’s imagination and build an understanding of sustainable attitudes.

• How to choose intervention styles that support children and young people, responding to their behaviour and extending their play.

• How to build and maintain a professional relationship with parents and caregivers in relation to their children’s experiences in the playwork setting/local community.

• How to assist in regular health and safety checks and the maintenance of equipment, resources, and play structures.

• How to identify and report any issues and respond calmly to any accidents or emergencies that may occur during a playwork session, as well as contributing to the process of risk-benefit assessment in children and young people’s play.

• How to work in line with safeguarding policies and procedures to prevent and protect all children from harm. • How to contribute to appropriate administration and financial record keeping in relation to the play setting.

• How to follow policies and procedures that support the health and wellbeing of children and young people, including preparing and providing food and activities.

• How to work as part of a team to assist in cleaning and tidying up, including site opening and closure procedures, and to support and supervise children in off-site activities, including trips, outings, residentials and other community events.

• How to participate in appraisals, professional development and training opportunities, work within the professional boundaries of a playworker, protect the child’s welfare and reflect individually and as part of a team to improve playwork practice.

To enrol on our playworker level 2 apprenticeship, you must:

• Be employed in an appropriate role where they care for and support children in taking responsibility for themselves and their own playing whilst creating a stimulating and adventurous space for children to learn and explore.

• Have achieved level 1 English and Maths prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Employers may set additional entry requirements.

On successful completion of this playworker apprenticeship, learners will be eligible for the following roles:

• Engagement worker

• Inclusion/support playworker

• Play ranger

• Playground assistant

• Playworker

• Before and After School Clubs

• Adventure Playgrounds

• Mobile Play Provision, for example a Playbus.

Potential employers may include local councils and government, charities and voluntary management committees, private companies offering after-school/ breakfast/holiday clubs, and private day care nurseries.

The EPA for this playworker qualification consists of:

Multiple Choice Questions Test

• The test will have 40 multiple-choice questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete it.

Professional Discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

• It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 7 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.

Observation with questions

• You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 3 hours. They will ask you at least 4 questions.

Upon successful completion, playworkers are graded: Pass, or Distinction as an overall grade.

Off-the-Job training (OTJ) is a requirement for all apprenticeship standards at all levels. Apprentices must spend 20% of their working hours undertaking OTJ throughout their learning or practical period. OTJ is defined as “learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads toward the achievement of an apprenticeship.”

Off-the-Job training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship programme and teach new knowledge, skills and/or behaviours that will help you reach competence in your occupation.

Guide to Off-the-Job Training