City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Playwork
Qualification summary
The qualification aims to provide skills and knowledge for playworkers within a supervisory role or those interested in becoming supervisors at play settings. It is part of a flexible suite of qualifications City & Guilds is developing in this area, in consultation with SkillsActive.
The new qualifications have been designed in consultation with both industry and educational centres. They have been designed as such to offer total flexibility to centres to help improve the student learning environment, and to provide fit-for-purpose qualifications to those playworkers working in varying locations and situations.
The qualification links closely to the National Occupational Standards and will provide opportunities for candidates to demonstrate they have acquired much of the underpinning knowledge for the NVQ in Playwork, should they wish to progress to this at a later stage.
For the Diploma, the mandatory and optional unit structure, provides all candidates with a broad introduction to Level 3 Playwork and then allows candidates to opt for subjects of particular interest and relevance to them. Mandatory units cover the promotion of the Assumptions and Values of Playwork, Health and Safety, Developing and promoting positive relationships and Inclusion within the play setting.
SkillsActive are currently developing a Strategy for training playworkers, and this qualification will be recognised as the technical certificate component for their Advanced Apprenticeship framework.
Qualification details
VRQ - Vocationally-Related Qualification
Accreditation start date:
Operational start date in centres:
For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.
When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
For further information on 14-19 qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DCSF
Section 96 website.
For further information on 19+ qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DIUS
Section 97 website.
For further information on Wales, visit the
DCELLS website.
For further information on Northern Ireland, visit the
DELNI and
DENI websites.
As this qualification has been developed to provide opportunities for candidates to generate evidence of the underpinning knowledge for the NVQ in Playwork, this is one of the likely progression routes on completion of this Diploma in Playwork. Those not taking the Diploma as part of the Advanced Apprenticeship programme, may wish to progress to do so.
A Foundation Degree in Playwork is currently being piloted and could provide another option for progression for playworkers in the future.
A Progression Route diagram has been included within the Qualification Handbook
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01 Health, Public Services and Care
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01.5
Child Development and Well Being
Practical Demonstration / Assignment
The assignments are externally set, internally marked and externally moderated
Candidates must complete all 6 mandatory units from Group A, and any one of the optional units from Group B
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A -
Mandatory Units
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A/500/2655 - Promote the Assumptions and Values of Playwork
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F/500/2656 - Promote, support and plan self directed play
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R/500/2659 - Reflect, develop and improve personal and organisational practice in the play setting
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J/500/2657 - Promote and establish the health, safety and well being of children in the play setting
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L/500/2658 - Develop and promote positive relationships in the play setting
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J/500/2660 - Inclusive Playwork
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B -
Optional Units
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L/500/2661 - Recruit, select and retain colleagues in the play setting
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R/500/2662 - Develop playwork opportunities in the community
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Y/500/2663 - Administer playwork provision and manage a budget
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D/500/2664 - Work with parents and carers in the play setting
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H/500/2665 - Organise and supervise travel outside the play setting
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K/500/2666 - Ensuring quality within the play setting