I find that people fall into one of two camps: Those who know and care about NOS and those who are blissfully (and contently) unaware of them! If you are in the first camp, then we have some exciting news for you (if you’re in the second camp… sorry!).
Play Wales has recently published a second information sheet about the review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for playwork which has been taking place over the summer and anticipated to run into 2025:
The update outlines the work that has taken place this summer as well as what is expected to happen next as the review progresses. One of the headlines is the establishment of a Writing Group who will:
- review current playwork NOS;
- develop a Functional Map for playwork NOS;
- develop a suite of NOS for playwork;
- consult with the Playwork NOS Advisory Group; and
- ensure the new playwork NOS the requirements set by the UK Standards and Framework Panel, the UK NOS Consortium and the Playwork NOS Scoping Review (2023).
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Caroline Kerr | Northern Ireland |
| Martin King-Sheard | Wales |
| Dianne Larrington | England |
| Kay Maxwell | Scotland |
| Karen Sharp (Chair) | Scotland |
| Sarah Turton | Wales |
| Meynell Walter | England |
| Mike Wragg | England |
Recruitment to the Playwork NOS Advisory Group is ongoing, with expertise in the areas of higher education, qualifications and awarding bodies, further education delivery, open-access playwork and/or out-of-school childcare being sought. Interested parties are invited to email a CV and covering letter to nosreview@play.wales.
If you’re not able to volunteer for the Advisory Group, you will have the opportunity to feedback on the NOS during a wider public consultation expected to take place in the summer of 2025.
The Playwork Foundation are proud to be a part of the UK NOS Consortium alongside Play England, Play Scotland, Play Wales and Playboard Northern Ireland, and excited to support the progression of the review into 2025.
You can find more information in the first information sheet issued in June this year:
The Playwork Foundation 