The first national Play Strategy sets out the government’s vision and commitments for better play opportunities for children in England.
The strategy focus is not just on the places where children play, including parks and green spaces, schools and children’s centres, but also considers how communities and neighbourhoods can become more child-friendly.
Government has published non-statutory guidance to assist local authorities and their partners to fulfil their key role in delivering the longer term aims of the Play Strategy.
The guidance will help local decision makers put children’s play at the heart of their local communities. The guidance shows how planning and investing in local play space – and considering children’s needs within the wider environment – can benefit children, families and whole communities.Embedding the Play Strategy is published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
The guidance is based on the publication of the same name, which Play England wrote and submitted to government following an open consultation in October 2009. Play England encouraged all agencies and professionals with a role in delivering the Play Strategy to respond.The strategy, published in December 2008, was built on the responses to Fair Play: A consultation on the play strategy and reflects the views of the children, families and professionals that responded.
The Play Strategy is published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Play England has produced two documents summarising the main commitments announced the Play Strategy for England.Play England also published a summary of the consultation document which preceded this, Fair Play.
Play England has worked with different professional bodies to see how they can support the implementation of the national Play Strategy in their work. One example is advice from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to Chief Constables and Commissioners. This communication underlines the important role community based officers have in actively encouraging children and young people to play in public areas, safely.
Download ACPO letter of support [27KB PDF].
Play England is part of NCB and is supported by the Big Lottery Fund
