North East Centre for Playwork Education and Training is part of a National Network
Click on a link for more information about our work
The History of the North East Centre for Playwork Education and Training
The North East Consortium for Education and Training
Management of the North East Centre
The History of the North East Centre for Playwork Education and Training
The North East Centre is one of four centres, established in 1991 with government funding to develop and promote a range of training and education opportunities for playworkers in England. The other centres are based in the South West, the West Midlands and in Greater London. Over the last two years, five further centres have been developed, in Yorkshire and the Humber, the East, East Midlands, North West, and South East to give national coverage for the work.
The North East Centre for Playwork Education and Training provides
Information and advice about Playwork Qualifications and Training available in the North East which includes taught courses at further and higher education levels, and the Playwork National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
Support for training providers who wish to sign up to the SPRITO Code of Practice, the Register of Trainers or have playwork training courses endorsed
Information about national playwork initiatives
A Play Information Centre, based at the National Centre office, where you can browse or borrow booklets, training materials, videos, play magazines and journals and a host of other publications covering a wide variety of playwork-related topics such as play environments, legislation, funding, inclusion, participation and play policies
A free bi-monthly newsletter, downloadable from this site or posted to you directly if you are a member of our Consortium
A range of publications, including conference reports, training packs and a directory of key playwork contacts in the North East
A consultancy service for local authorities, Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships and play organisations
A range of networking opportunities and training events throughout the year, including our very popular annual conference
This work is funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and managed by SPRITO the National Training Organisation with responsibility for playwork. It includes support for the Regional Council for Education and Training in Playwork, organising and running national and regional events, and providing information to individuals and groups.
The North East Consortium for Education and Training
The North East Centre was initially established with the aid of a Consortium of people and agencies with an interest in playwork education and training. This Consortium continues to advise the centre on work that is needed in the region and meets twice a year for this purpose - in winter, to offer suggestions for the work programme in the coming year, and at the annual conference in the summer, to receive the annual report.
Membership is free and open to anyone based in the North East of England with an interest in playwork education and training who feels able to adopt the assumptions and values of playwork and agrees to abide by our Rules of Association. In return, members receive a free bi-monthly newsletter and regular mailings which contain updates on the work we are doing, information on forthcoming events, new publications and relevant national and regional initiatives.
A membership form is available for this purpose and should be completed and returned to the office.
Management of the North East Centre
The Management Committee is elected from the Consortium membership every two years and oversees the day to day running of the North East Centre. It is chaired by Prof. Richard Barker, a member of Northumbria University staff and includes representatives from the voluntary, statutory and private sectors in playwork. Members meet every two months when they receive a report on progress of the work and have the opportunity to engage with the development of the centre.
