Play England and government departments leading on play have published guidance which helps providers to strike a balance between the risks and benefits of offering children challenging play opportunities.
Play England commissioned David Ball, Tim Gill and Bernard Spiegal to produce the guide, which shows how play providers can replace current risk assessment practice with an approach to risk management that takes into account the benefits to children and young people of challenging play experiences, as well as the risks.
The guide builds on the Play Safety Forum’s position statement Managing risk in play provision (Play Safety Forum, 2002). It starts from the position that, while outside expertise and advice are valuable, the ultimate responsibility for making decisions rests with the provider.
This guide is written for those responsible for managing play provision, and for those involved in designing and maintaining such provision. The general approach should also be useful for those who manage other spaces and settings in which children play.
Managing Risk in Play Provision: Implemetation guide [5.9MB PDF].
A low resolution version of the guidance is also available:
Download low resolution version of the guidance [4.6MB PDF].
In December 2008, the government published the Play Strategy for England after an extensive consultation. As the contracted national delivery partner, Play England has produced DCSF guidance documents in support of the Play Strategy, including this guide and its sister publication Design for Play, published in July 2008.
Print copies of this publication are now available from the DCSF publications distributor:
www.teachernet.gov.uk/publications
Tel. 0845 602 2260
DCSF Publications
PO Box 5050
Sherwood Park
Annesley
Nottingham NG15 0DJ
Managing risk in play provision: A briefing for risk managers is aimed at local authorities and other public and voluntary agencies that manage play provision
This briefing argues for a balanced approach to play safety: one that ensures that overall goals and objectives are not compromised by excessive risk aversion.
Play England is part of NCB and is supported by the Big Lottery Fund
