University of Gloucestershire

Since 1991 the University has supported the development of playwork training materials through the National Centre for Playwork Education, South West. The University, in partnership with the National Centre for Playwork Education, South West, successfully developed the Certificate of Higher Education in Playwork through distance learning. This course has been developed by playworkers for playworkers and offers an accessible way for the playwork field to gain a higher education qualification.

The purpose of the University of Gloucestershire’s work in CWLWM is to focus on the management and monitoring of partnership finance and activities, and coordination of the transnational work. The University will take an overview of the project and coordinate equal opportunities, dissemination and mainstreaming work of the partnership.

The University will translate into Welsh and make freely available throughout Wales ‘Getting it Right Legally’, an easy to read and use handbook to guide and advise community play and childcare organisations through the legal issues involved in setting up. Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs were involved in developing this guide in response to feedback from childcare and play workers in Wales and England. Four ‘how to use it’ sessions, delivered by the key individuals involved in producing the guide, will enable ‘GIRL’ to be used by partners and others in Wales alongside their own business support resources.

In addition, ‘GIRL 2’, guiding community play and childcare organisations wishing to contract to deliver services, will also be developed and promoted throughout Wales.

The University of Gloucestershire’s CWLWM work will result in:

• The development and maintenance of systems and processes for effective management of ESF projects.
• Innovative examples of successful equal opportunities working.
• Transnational co-operation with shared examples of best practice in a range of childcare settings.
• An awareness-raising, co-ordinated image to promote jobs in the care sector.
• Dissemination of Getting it Right Legally throughout Wales.