This is the first e-newsletter from Playwork South East, incorporating Re:Play, and is a chance to catch up with news in playwork and play.

We are very excited about this new project - not only is it going to save a lot of money and time (stuffing all those envelopes and sticking on stamps and labels) but we will also be able to use the software behind it to analyse the reading habits of our members and determine what you find most interesting!  We really want to know what you want to hear about, so get in touch with your ideas!

Our intention is to send out a full e-newsletter every two months, and inbetween send you mini bulletins of information that can't wait - consultation news, events, news flashes.

As you will all know, our Development Officer Vanessa Roberts has taken on a 12 month secondment at West Sussex County Council, project managing the development of a Professional Learning Academy.  In the meantime we at Playwork South East are busy planning next year's conference, Spirit of Play, and are pleased to announce that Milton Keynes Play Association have been recruited to run it for us.  They have some great ideas for the event, so keep your eyes open for further details shortly after Christmas.  If you would like to attend, get in touch with your local EYDCP and ask them to sponsor your place.

Chris Martin, Policy Manager at The Playwork Unit, SkillsActive, is currently acting as liaison between PSE and the Playwork Unit.  He is also responsible for extended schools and leading on the UK Strategy Implementation Plan in England.  In January, our Endorsement & Quality Officer, Tony Delahoy, will take on more responsibilities by adding an extra day to his week for us.  All in all then, it's business as usual!

With best wishes from all at Playwork South East and Re:Play  for a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

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`Inclusive Play', a new factsheet written by Rachel Scott at Kids, has just been published by CPIS. 

Bob Hughes - PlayTypes - Speculations and Possibilities puts play under the microscope and suggests that rather than the sixteen playtypes already proposed there may be many more!  More information from ncpelondon@aol.com.

Track Pack:  Our website has been updated and now Track Pack is easier than ever to download.  Click here to see all the sessions available, and details of how to order either a full colour portfolio or the whole pack on CD.

Play Professionals is our new careers and training DVD which  promotes playwork as a viable and exciting career option to young people, as well as being an additional resource to support introductory training such as Making Choices.  

Play Policy for Out of School Clubs: an easy to understand guide from SkillsActive to writing a play policy for your club.

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Revised Making Choices Programme is Launched: The 'Making Choices' orientation programme has been reviewed and updated, to ensure that it meets current and future needs and trends in the development of children's services.

The Integrated Qualifications Framework: The development of IQF for the children's workforce was a key commitment in the government publication 'Building a World Class Workforce for Children, Young People and their Families' published in February 2006.

CACHE L3 DPW Syllabus - live since October. 

Review of Playwork Level 2 Standards:  SkillsActive is set to launch a consultation to review the playwork national occupational standards (NOS).

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Extended Services Seminar - Engaging Hearts & Minds, Reaching Strategic Goals - a report on this PSE/London Centre event, plus copies of the presentations from Gordon Sturrock and ContinYou

Making the Change to Inclusion - an event run by KIDs attended by Tony Delahoy, PSE Endorsement & Quality Officer. 

CPC AGM: The Children's Play Council AGM, attended by Pam Perry, a member of the Re:Play Steering Group.

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Foundation Degree in Playwork:  A new course will be starting in January - read some of the comments by present students.

MTCS Training Academy Arts and Crafts workshop for people who work in Playwork job roles (with children aged 3-16 years).

Calling all Trainers and Training Providers:  If you would like Playwork South East to advertise your training, please contact us and we will add it to our Training section of our website, and highlight in our e-newsletters.

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UKplayworkers - The Virtual Community for Playworkers is a useful, free intenet  resource for all people working with children at play, both in the UK and internationally, covering all things related to playwork.

A Hospital Play Specialist Group on Yahoo on the Internet:  A free group for playworkers working in a hospital or healthcare setting offering an opportunity for discussion as well as to share activities and ideas at home and abroad.

Common Threads has recently launched its new website with details on their training and publications, and also free resources as downloads. There is also a forum for debate and discussion on all the ‘hot topics', an on-line shop and special ‘web only' offers from time to time. 

0845 634 1328:  A free telephone advice line delivered by trainers at Fathers Direct, for workers and managers trying to engage with fathers.

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Playwork in Extended Schools Services:  A guide from SkillsActive for local authorities and advisors.

Extended Schools: 6 of the Best:  An article from Children Now that investigates examples of good practice in Extended Schools.

Designing Schools for Extended Services: This publication sets the policy contect and provides advice on how local authorities and schools can design facilities in partnership with their communities, other agencies and the private/voluntary sector.

Planning and funding extended schools: A guide for schools, local authorities and their partner organisations: This book is primarily aimed at schools but also offers LAs and potential partner organisations advice on planning, funding and setting up extended services. It depicts a number of case studies of current sustainable services offered by schools.

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Endorsement Update: Congratulations to Common Threads!

New Approval system at SkillsActive

Quanta visits on the horizon 

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Childrens Games Survey:  Help bring up to date a 1969 games survey by building a comprehensive profile of children's current outdoor play in Great Britain, taking into account children's views on why they play the games that they do.

Calling all Kent Play People! A survey looking to identify current networks of all children's services in the PVI sector across Kent, on behalf of the CWDC.

Level 2 NOS Consultation: SkillsActive are aiming to complete a review and re-write of the Playwork level 2 National Occupational Standards by the end of March 2007.

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