A Comparison of Playworkers and Non-playworkers Who Use a Playwork Approach

Abstract

The International Playwork Census (IPC) was undertaken to compare demographic data from both playworkers and non-playworkers who use a playwork approach in their work. Data were collected from 273 responses in nineteen di ff erent countries re fl ecting the growth of playwork from its United Kingdom beginnings. Results showed the combined playwork (102 responses) and non-playwork (171 responses) workforce is female, white with no registered disability with an average age of 44.8 years. There were also signi fi cant di ff erences between job roles in relation to sector employed, playwork training and play quali fi cations undertaken. There were di ff erences between playworkers and non-playworkers. Playworkers were signi fi cantly found to work in management or practice within the Third (Voluntary) sector and have playwork quali fi cations. Non-playworkers were signi fi cantly employed in the statutory sector, work at the board level and have no playwork quali fi cation. Up-to-date demographic data are important to develop the professionalisation of playwork. This study provides a current pro fi le of professionals working with children in a play context who see themselves as belonging to the playwork fi eld. It provides a unique insight into two di ff erent sectors within the playwork fi eld: adults who describe themselves as “ playworkers ” and adults who describe their practice as “ a playwork approach ” .