'Play is of fundamental importance for children and young people's health and well-being.'
(Planning for Play, 2006)
The role of the Play and Youth Development service
-
Co-ordinate the delivery, development and promotion of play for children aged 3 to 16 years throughout the Borough by responding to local issues and national directives.
-
Facilitate, support and develop projects and initiatives, which promote the engagement and consultation of young people throughout the Borough by responding to local issues and working in partnership with other services to assist in their delivery.
In seeking to achieve the broad aim of Guildford Borough Council’s vision for play, the service has identified seven strategic aims that form the basis of the Play Development Strategy:
The six strategic aims:
- To set a framework within which play can contribute to improving the quality of community life as a whole.
- To widen accessibility of play in Guildford in terms of location, times a year and types of play provision with an emphasis on social inclusion and a multi-agency approach.
- To provide advice, encourage and enable participation by all sections of the community in play by the provision of good quality, safe and suitable facilities, services and opportunities, by supporting the efforts of committees, schools, community groups and individuals.
- To encourage partnerships to develop a clear protocol for working together effectively so as to deliver coherent training, advice, promotion, support and information services that build capacity and strengthen the quality, choice, accessibility and diversity of provision locally.
- To fund or help seek funding for sustainable play provision and initiatives that effectively meet local needs and demonstrate the benefits of good play opportunities specifically to disadvantaged communities and disabled children and young people.
- To demonstrate the importance of good play provision in Guildford through the creation and development of new and existing holiday playschemes and after school clubs.
- To seek to meet the 5 outcomes identified in the Every Child Matters document (further information on this document is provided below).
Every Child Matters
The Government's publication Every Child Matters emphasises the cross-cutting agenda role that play provides in potential outcome areas, namely:
- Being Healthy
- Staying Safe
- Enjoying and Achieving
- Making a Positive Contribution
- Economic Well-being
Web: Every Child Matters website (this page opens in a new window)
Young People
Guildford Borough Council website has a dedicated Young People's section which, provides information and guidance on accessing facilities, services and activities.
Play and Youth Development Officer
Cultural Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Email: playdevelopment@guildford.gov.uk
Tel: 01483 444764