New National Occupational Standards for playwork published
The Playwork National Occupational Standards (NOS) are a set of standards outlining the competencies playworkers need in various areas of work.
For playwork, the NOS include the knowledge, understanding and skills required to be a playworker, playworker in charge or playwork manager.
The new NOS will be used to update playwork qualifications. The NOS can also be used by playworkers and employers to develop training, job descriptions and assess quality playwork practice.
Between 2024 and 2026, the UK Playwork NOS Consortium undertook a review of the National Occupational Standards for playwork. Following the review, new NOS were published in September 2026. Alongside the NOS, the consortium has also published a Functional Map and Glossary.
Download Playwork NOS Functional Map
Download Playwork NOS Glossary
The full set of NOS for playwork are available on the UK Standards and Framework Database.
Background
The UK Playwork NOS Consortium comprises Play Wales, Play Scotland, PlayBoard NI, Play England and The Playwork Foundation. The consortium was established to plan strategically across the four nations for the future of workforce development and sector skills initiatives, including a review of the NOS.
For more information on the purpose of NOS, approval process and the UK Playwork NOS Consortium please contact us and/or review our previous updates:
Playwork NOS consultation now open (March 2026)
Update: Playwork NOS Review (August 2025)
Update: Playwork NOS Review (December 2024)
Recruitment: UK Playwork NOS review (July 2024)
2024/25 Review of the National Occupational Standards for Playwork (NOS) (June 2024)
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