Here is our second e-newsletter, with a 'Spotlight' on Empowering Children where we have collected information and good practice that might be of interest.

Thank you to all our readers who sent their comments about our first edition, and we also are pleased to report that the results of our supporting software were very favourable: a large percentage of you opened, read and clicked on the links in most of our articles!  Hopefully future editions will continue to interest and inform, and please continue to send in your comments.

If you would like a text only version of this e-newsletter, please click on the box at the top on the right.   Paper versions are also available if you email us your address details.

For those unfamiliar with this type of newsletter, in order to read the full articles you click on anything underlined, which will then take you to where that article is stored.

Our next 'Spotlight' will be on Natural Play, so if you have any hints, tips, anecdotes or information you would like to share with playworkers all around the south east, please send us details here for our April e-newsletter.

Don't forget to get in quick with your booking at this year's Spirit of Play - always a great day with loads of fun and new experiences.

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The Base: An inspiring article about The Base in Milton Keynes, a playscheme for young carers where the children are the decision makers.

Children Are Service Users Too: Save the Children and the Cabinet Office have been working in partnership to create a guide which aims to help organisations improve the way in which children and young people's needs are taken into account in service design and delivery.

NCB publications focussing on consulting and empowering children. 

Clubs for Young People: A report on how young people are keen to get involved in the types of activities offered by extended schools, but nearly half want them offered in their community rather than in the classroom.

The Big Exchange: A campaign by Clubs for Young People to ensure that all young people have a voice in their various communities.

Office of the Children's Commissioner:  which is using the input of children and young people to develop a new website to reflect their views.

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Spirit of Play 2007:  you can now download the flier and booking form for this year's conference from our website, so don't waste any time in reserving your workshops as it's first come, first served! 

If you are a playworker, make sure you contact your EYDCP to see if they will sponsor your place - you will find all their contact details on our website. 

See you on the 17th!

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Adventure Playgrounds:   A list of suppliers of materials for building adventure playgrounds, as compiled by London Play.

Consulting Young Children: Click on the link for books and reports put together by the NCB.

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Kent Children's Fund Network: A brilliant opportunity for 'Learning through Practice".

Integrated Practice Training:  Research shows many practioners are confused about integrated working. Some said they had no idea what it means.  The training is being piloted in eight areas.

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Playwork People Survey: a playwork dedicated survey providing a vital source of information about skills, qualifications, patterns of work/pay, recruitment and retention in the sector.  For more information contact Beth Manwaring on 020 7632 2000 or by email  beth.mainwaring@skillsactive.com  or click on the link.

The Good Childhood Enquiry:  the state of modern childhood - SkillsActive will be responding to this enquiry so if you have any information that you feel you can add, contact Uzma Ahmad on 020 7632 2024 or ahmad@skillsactive.com. For more information about the GCE click on the link.

Every Disabled Child Matters:  EDCM are looking to increase their membership to 25,000 by July.  Click on the link to read what their Campaign Manager, Steve Broach, has to say.

Management Standards Centre:  Having the right managers is crucial to raising the skills of your workforce.  The MSC aims to build a future based on providing managers with world class standards that underpin qualifications for the sector that are truly employer driven and meets the needs of the modern learner.  Click on the link to find out how you can help them achieve this.

CPIS Play Research:  Are you involved in researching children's play? If so, the Children's Play Information Service would like to hear from you. They are developing a database of current research on children's play, and are in the process of inviting researchers to submit details of their projects. The database will eventually be available on their website, and will provide an ongoing record of play-related research in the United Kingdom.  If you are involved in a research project, and would like your project to be included on the database, please email CPIS or telephone 020 7843 6303.

OFSTED Childcare Registration:  The consultation seeks views on the proposed categories of childcare that should not be required to be registered, either on the Early Years Register (for 0-5s provision), or the compulsory element of the Ofsted Childcare Register (for childcare catering for 6-7 year olds only).

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10 Stupid Things: Are you ready for Half Term?  A list of activities to delve into when you need some inspiration.

Boredom Busters: Bournemouth Council's inclusive playscheme services.

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Developing Accessible Play Space:  a report commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Playschemes: Good Practice: a list of measures necessary for a well run and good quality playscheme. 

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Wendy Brookfield is the Regional Development Manager for the South East. 

Good Childhood Enquiry: read the evidence submitted by Play England.

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