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Certificate of Higher Education in Playwork, Cert HE

University of Wales Trinity Saint David, the United Kingdom

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
Cert HEFull-time1 yearfind outfind outfind out

About Certificate of Higher Education in Playwork, Cert HE - at University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Course Overview

The programme is specifically designed for people who:

  • are interested in a career in Playwork
  • want to give something back to their community
  • may not have any prior qualifications
  • are seeking employment or career progression in Playwork
  • are juggling personal commitments
  • want to acquire new skills and a qualification

Key Features

  • Registration once a year in either October
  • Flexible delivery, evening or weekend
  • A FLEXIBLE University LEVEL 4 course
  • BITE-SIZED units and completely project-based
  • Assessment through assignments and NO EXAMINATIONS
  • BURSARIES available
  • NO UP-FRONT FEES - tuition fee loan repayments start when you earn over £21,000 per year

Delivered in Your Community:

  • Carmarthen
  • Llanelli
  • Swansea
  • Bridgend
  • Cardiff

This programme is unique in Wales, providing a specifically Welsh context. This programme has been designed in close collaboration with representatives from the field and offers the opportunity to gain a qualification which will stand candidates in good stead in the jobs market. Ultimately though the programme is developed in line with Playwork Principles and successful students will be in a position to provide children and young people with the best possible playwork provision.

The programme will appeal to you if you are interested in a career working with children and/or young people in an informal setting. You may be a volunteer in a local community group, already working in a play setting and wanting to add to your skills and knowledge. Playworkers bring lots of skills and abilities to the work and you may have experience of work in family support work, sport, youth work or work with children more broadly.

Key Features

Students with a Level 4 Playwork qualification commonly senior playworker, senior playwork development officer, playwork manager, playworker, holiday playscheme coordinator, adventure playworker/ manager, lead play ranger.

Modules

The programme starts by introducing you to a range of topics, relevant and stimulating subjects that enable you to better understand children, young people, organisations and the community.

The programme has a heavy workload and requires commitment on the part of learners, if you're committed to Play and the programme you'll experience such topics as the historical construction of childhood, concepts of community, safeguarding and child protection, the different types of play, the playworker as researcher, the importance of reflective practice, community profiling, working with power, planning for play, play and how it improves children's wellbeing, working with policy, managing play facilities and services.

In addition, you'll also receive help and guidance with basic study skills, information and communications technology, and we will support you throughout so as to help you make the most of your university experience.
The programme is being offered on our Carmarthen campus initially although subject to demand may be available elsewhere across Wales

Assessment

The teaching will be project/task-based to enable students to develop key employability skills through practical application in vocationally relevant areas. Upon successful completion of the programme students will have had the opportunity to gain skills knowledge which will provide useful in practice and in management of playwork.

New knowledge will include using information effectively, to communicate in a professional manner, to enhance their skills of reflective practice as well as the occupational skills required in playwork. Students learn skills and gain experiences throughout the programme, in the lecture room as well as in the field.

Skills gained include how to support others in gathering resources for play, establishing and developing working relationships, providing leadership, exploring how to raise funds for play, managing and developing play facilities, managing finance, reflecting on and developing practice, developing and reviewing operational plans for play provision and obtaining the facilities and services required for play provision. Throughout the programme students will be encouraged to work with children and young people in a playwork context.

The links between theory and practice will prove invaluable to the student.

Career Opportunities

Students will be able to use the Certificate in Wales and across the UK - the programme has been developed to equip students with skills and knowledge of Playwork as outlined within the National Occupational Standards for Playwork which are the standards for Playwork across the United Kingdom.

  • Playwork practitioner
  • Playwork development officer
  • Playwork senior practitioner
  • Out of school children's worker
  • Mobile playworker
  • Playwork specialist
  • Adventure playground manager

In addition students completing the programme will be able to apply to transfer credits into other programmes available within the University.

Further Information

This programme is unique in Wales - the only Level 4 academic qualification in Playwork in the Country. The specific focus on the Welsh context is something that cannot be gained elsewhere.

Course structure

Semester one

The programme starts with an introduction to help prepare you for Higher Education study. The first two introductory modules:

Play and Playwork Contexts
This module introduces students to the history and development of concepts of the child, play throughout the years and contemporary contexts for play and playwork within organisations, communities and society.

Playwork Skills and Knowledge
This module introduces students to the practical skills and knowledge necessary to create stimulating play experiences for children and young people and also introduces students to the importance of reflective practice

Semester two

Playwork and Wellbeing
Wellbeing of children is such an important topic in Wales; this module introduces students to the concept of wellbeing and the importance of planning to enhance the play experience and wellbeing.

Playwork in Practice
This module enables students to engage in a 30 hour work placement to apply skills, knowledge and understanding appropriately. The module also enables students to engage in reflective practice and to monitor and evaluate their role in playwork.

Study Skills in Playwork
we continue to support your development as a student by building on the work of the first semester, providing regular feedback on study skills.

Related Courses

  • BA Youth and Community Work
  • BA Education Studies: Primary

Entry requirements for this course

Contact University of Wales Trinity Saint David to find course entry requirements.

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