Level 3 Apprenticeship Playwork
The City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Playwork is aimed at learners who are already working in a playwork setting and are in a supervisory role. Settings could be out-of-school work (including afterschool or breakfast clubs) and seasonal holiday clubs. Learners may already be working as Playworkers or Assistant Playworkers or as Children’s Holiday Representatives.
Learners could use the qualification as an Assistant Play Worker / Play Centre Assistant working with children aged 4 – 16 years in: - Play schemes - Adventure playgrounds - After-school clubs - Holiday provision
Contents
Q
Apprenticeship Framework
Level 3 QCF Diploma in Advanced Playwork
Essential Skills Qualifications
Welsh Language Development
Apprenticeship Framework
The aim of the advanced playwork apprenticeship is to provide learners with the skills and knowledge needed to progress into roles within the sector.
The programme prepares learners for roles such as:
• Playworker – supervisor
• Deputy Club Manager
• Club Manager
Who is this apprenticeship for?
The City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Playwork is aimed at learners who are already working in a playwork setting and are in a supervisory role. Settings could be out-ofschool work (including afterschool or breakfast clubs) and seasonal holiday clubs. Learners may already be working as Playworkers or Assistant Playworkers or as Children’s Holiday Representatives.
Overview
On completion of this apprenticeship you will achieve the following:
• Apprenticeship Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Playwork
• Level 2 Essential Skills in Communication and Application of Number
• Prentis-iaith Welsh Language Development
On the following pages, you will find information relating to the main qualification (Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Playwork), as well as other aspects that will make up this apprenticeship programme, including Essential Skills and Welsh Language Development
Level 3 Diploma in Playwork
This is the qualification you will be completing alongside your employment
Length of time to complete
We will tailor your learning programmes to suit your needs, so that each learner’s experience is unique. While learner’s needs will be different, the recommended time to complete this programme is 16 months
Course Delivery
This programme will primarily be delivered through 1-to-1 sessions with a member of the ACT delivery team, using a mixture of face-to-face and remote learning sessions. An ACT assessor will meet with the learner, either in the workplace or through digital means (for example, Microsoft Teams) once a month for approximately two hours to support progress.
Learners will also be set tasks to complete between each visit, for approximately 4 hours per month (please note – this is just a guide and will vary based on learner needs).
Examples of some of the tasks that might be set by our assessors include:
• Research the Principles and Values of Playwork?
• Explain how the National Minimum standards impact on your role?
What you will learn
This programme is made up of a mixture of mandatory units (these have to be completed by all learners as part of the qualification) and optional units (we will work with you to decide what units are relevant to your role, and your business).
A brief overview of these units is below.
Mandatory Units
• Understand Playwork Principles
• Understand Children and Young People’s Self-Directed Play
• Understand How to Safeguard the Wellbeing of Children and Young People
• Understand the Organisation Framework for Play
• Understand How to Support Positive Outcomes for Children and Young People
• Understand Relationships in the Play Environment
• Develop and Promote Positive Relationships in a Play Environment
• Plan for and Support Children and Young People’s Self-Directed Play
• Understand Health, Safety and Security in the Play Environment
• Understand How to Plan for and Support Children and Young People’s SelfDirected Play
• Engage in Personal Development in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings
• Contribute to an Organisational Framework that Reflects the Needs, and Protects, the Rights of Children and Young People
• Develop and Maintain a Healthy, Safe and Secure Play Environment for Children and Young People
Optional units*
• Work with Colleagues in a Playwork Team
• Engage with Parents, Carers and Families in a Play environment
• Administer Playwork Provision
• Inclusive Play, Working with Disabled Children and Young People
• Promote Own Organisation in the Community
•
• Contribute to Evaluating, Developing and Promoting Services
• Organise and Supervise Travel
• Manage a Budget
• Recruit, Select and Keep Colleagues
• Provide Learning Opportunities for Colleagues
• Allocate and Monitor the Progress and Quality of Work in Own Area of Responsibility
* Don’t worry! During the first visit/meeting, our assessors’ work with all learners and employers to review which of the optional units are the most appropriate for your programme.
Have any questions about our Level 3
Diploma in Playwork?
We are here to help. If you have any further questions or enquiries about the main qualification element of the programme, please contact our Route Manager:
Helen Clarke Route Manager for Playwork, CCPLD, CYP helenclarke@acttraining.org.uk
Essential Skills Qualifications
When you agree to undertake an apprenticeship, you may be required to complete Essential Skills as part of your Apprenticeship framework.
What are Essential Skills?
The Essential Skills Wales (ESW) will be initially assessed via an online Wales Essential Skills Toolkit (WEST) Assessment. If a Learner already holds an ESW certificate or equivalent qualification this can provide a proxy and learners will not need to complete that ESW element of the programme. Where a Learner is not exempt an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) will be generated from the initial WEST assessment. The modules delivery will include independent learning via WEST, prior to guided learning sessions preparing the Learner for their assessment. ESWs are assessed via controlled tasks and confirmatory tests for Communication and Application of Number, Digital Literacy is assessed via a controlled task and structured discussion.
Proxy
If you already hold qualifications, these may be used as ‘proxy’ towards your apprenticeship framework. As a result, you will be exempt from achieving that particular Essential Skill, if you wish. This will be discussed with you before you sign up. Below are some examples, although this list is not exhaustive.
Essential Skill
Communication Level 1
Communication Level 2
Communication Level 3
Application of Number Level 1
Application of Number Level 2
Application of Number Level 3
Proxy
GCSE G or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills Wales
GCSE C or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills Wales
AS/A Level E or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills
Wales
GCSE G or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills Wales
GCSE C or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills Wales
AS/A Level E or above, Key Skills or Essential Skills
Wales
Welsh Language Development
As part of your Welsh Government funded framework, you will be supported to develop and maintain your Welsh language skills for the workplace.
What is Welsh Language Development?
ACT are committed to playing their part in the Welsh Government Million Speakers strategy. All learners will complete the Prentis-iaith Welsh Language Development course as part of your framework with us.
Don’t panic – this is as a means of development and is aimed to support you with the development of your Welsh Language skills. This course is specially designed to give apprentices a basic knowledge of Welsh for the workplace and consists of 6 interactive modules to complete online. The course will be completed throughout your framework, with support from your assessor.
Already bilingual?
If you are Welsh speaking you will undertake your learning bilingually. In practice this means that you can choose the elements of your learning that you would like to complete through the medium of Welsh. You will be able to discuss your particular preferences with your assessor