This online event explores the potential overlaps and intersections in services privided to children and young people in the UK, focusing on the perspective of playworkers and youth workers. While both professions aim to support the development and well-being of young people, they often operate within distinctive frameworks, with youth work typically emphasising personal and social development and playwork prioritising the facilitation of play in safe environments.

The targeted age range for playwork and youth work could be perceived to be confusing. Play England describe how play in all neighbourhoods should have places and spaces for children and young people to play. The National Youth Agency describe how youth work should be offered to 8-19 years olds (and up to 25 years for young adults with additional needs). This suggests there are significant overlaps in terms of who playworkers and youth workers are wanting to engage with, requiring a better understanding of where the two professions share many values and where certain aspects may be more distinctive.

This event was first inspired by a Youth & Policy article called the An Age of Uncertainty, written by Gemma Lockyer Turnbull. You can read the article here.

Programme:

10.00am Welcome

10.15am Playwork and Youth Work from a Youth Work Perspective: Gemma Lockyer Turnbull, Deputy CEO at NE Youth and PhD Student at Northumbria University

10.30am Playwork and Youth Work from a Playwork Perspective, Dr Ali Long and Dr Mike Wragg, Leeds Beckett University

10.45am Discussion and questions

11.15am Closing remarks: Fin Cullen, Mike Seal and Tina Salter

For more information, see the flyer below and use the QR code to book your place: