Leadership and Management Programme for Playworkers
Funded by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC)
Middlesex University is delivering this exciting package of fully funded training for leaders and managers in play. It aims to attract participants whose role requires them to think strategically about Playwork as part of integrated children’s services, such as:
- Middle managers in local authorities
- Play rangers and play champions
- Leaders in play pathfinder and playbuilder local authorities
- Play service managers, senior/lead practitioners
What is the Playworkers programme?
The Children's Workforce Development Council is providing funding to enable 600 playwork managers and leaders nationally to undertake leadership training by March 2011. This is to address the need for strong, well-trained leaders and managers that can improve provision, bring greater impact and achieve better results for children, families and their local communities. This will also free up properly trained,
motivated and resourced professionals in play, and empower them to get on with their job of working with families and children.
How will I benefit from the programme?
The purpose of the programme is to enhance your leadership and management skills. It will provide you with knowledge and understanding of leadership models and styles and allow you to reflect on your own skills in this context. It will help you understand how you operate in teams and as a leader of teams to ensure better outcomes for children, how to support your staff, work with professionals and a range of stakeholders to enable more and better access to play. You will also build confidence in strategic thinking and skills in terms of the context for Playwork in the Integrated Children’s Services.
Is this the right programme for me?
Candidates will have management and/or leadership experience and core skills around management of people, resources and change, as well as knowledge of child development and core values of play. This may be evidenced through qualifications and/or experience. You might be working in any of the maintained, private, voluntary or independent sectors. While this is a practical and practice based programme, candidates will need to evidence to training providers that they can benefit from this course, which will be targeted at final year undergraduate level.
What are the dates?
The next programme will start in September 2010.
Time:
10.30am - 3.30pm
Venue:
Middlesex University Trent Park Campus, Bramley Road, London N14 4YZ
What is the time commitment?
You will need to commit to attending all the programmed delivery sessions- eight days. While the workload will not be onerous, you will need to undertake some reading, exercises (some on-line) and reflective activities in your own time. You will need support from your manager to allow you access to the course and some time to carry out activities in the workplace.
What assessment will there be?
Many of the activities you undertake as we go through the programme can be submitted for assessment. This will be in the forms of Learning Plans and Reflective Learning Logs which will contribute to a portfolio which you will build up. However, there will also be some exercises and case study work which will be used for assessment.
Will the assessment gain university credits?
Having passed the assessed work, participants may be awarded 20 credits at HE level 3 (final year undergraduate). This is awaiting confirmation.
What will be included in the programme?
The programme has been approved by a Board of partners led by the Children’s Workforce Development Council to run nationally. The content is likely to cover: Models and styles of leadership, management skills, strategic thinking in the context of children’s integrated services, advocacy for play values while maintaining a focus on outcomes for children, young people and carers, playworker roles in relation to the Common Assessment Framework, supporting and developing staff, leading and managing teams, coaching and mentoring, partnership working, reflective practice.
How will the programme be delivered?
The programmed days will consist of some tutor input with an emphasis on interactive participation. There will be group work activity and some on-line exercises. On two half days, you will be in a smaller group called an Action Learning Set where you will be able to explore leadership issues in a facilitated and supportive environment.
Where can I go for more information?
Email: eypsadmin@mdx.ac.uk
Tel: 020 8411 6914
Middlesex University Trent Park Campus, Bramley Road, London N14 4YZ
