National Play Resource Centre

Play Policy

Introduction

In 1992 Ireland ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in doing so they agreed to Article 31, which says:

“States Parties recognise the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.”

The signing of the UN Convention on the rights of the Child led to the formation of the National Children’s Office and the appointment of a Minister with responsibility for Children.

In 2000 the Government published the National Children’s Strategy. The Strategy noted

“The need for more opportunities for community-based play, leisure and cultural activities was high on the list of issues raised by children during the consultation process.”

The Strategy proposed that:

• National Play and Recreational policies be developed that will provide a comprehensive approach to children’s play and recreation;
• Local Play and Recreation needs be incorporated into local strategies for Economic, Social and Cultural Development;
• v Each local authority will designate an officer to be responsible for the development of play and recreation activity.

Ready Steady Play! A National Play Policy

The National Play Policy was launched by Brian Lenihan TD in July 2004. Its overall aim is to create better play opportunities for all children. The overall objective is to plan for an increase in public play facilities and thereby improve the quality of life of children living in Ireland by providing them with more play opportunities.

The specific objectives include:

• To give children a voice in the design and implementation of play policies and facilities;
• To raise awareness of the importance of play;
• To ensure that children’s play needs are met through the development of a child friendly environment;
• To maximise the range of public play opportunities available to all children particularly children who are marginalized, disadvantaged or who have a disability;
• To improve the quality and safety of playgrounds and play areas;
• To ensure that the relevant training and qualifications are available to persons offering play and related services to children;
• To develop a partnership approach in funding and developing play opportunities;
• To improve information on, and evaluation and monitoring of, play provision for children in Ireland.

The play policy lists over 50 actions. One of which is the setting up of a National Play Resource Centre. Some key actions relating to the work of the Resource Centre include:

• Involving children in the development of play policies and play facilities;
• Each city/county Development Board will carry out an assessment of play facilities and prepare a coordinated play plan;
• Each local authority will designate a play officer and produce a local play policy;
• Local authorities and others will use creative landscaping to provide new play opportunities;
• Local authorities will consider taking on responsibility for the insurance and maintenance of community play facilities.

In a recent survey local authorities were asked for information on progress to the publication of a play policy. The results are produced in the table below.

About 50% of local authorities currently have a local play policy. Other local authorities are actively working on producing a play policy.

The play policies for the relevant local authority can be found on their website.

If you would like information about developing a Play Policy two guides have been produced one by the Mayor of London and the other by the Children’s Play Council in England.

For more information contact the National Play Resource Centre:

Consultation

It is a requirement that children participate in the development of play policies and in the development of play opportunities in their areas. There are several publications providing information and advice on consultation.

References

National Children’s Strategy, Department of Health and Children 2000
Ready Steady Play! The National Play Policy. National Children’s Office 2004
Guide for Preparing Play Strategies, Mayor of London, 2005
Planning for Play, Children’s Play Council, 2006

Young Voices, 2005 available from the Office of the Minister for Children
Draw and Write N W Health Board 2005
Guide to Good Practice in Community Consultation, Monaghan Community Forum 2006

All publications can be obtained from the National Play Resource Centre