Risk Assessment Workshops for Play Providers

The workshop aims to enhance practitioners' understanding of, and confidence to address, the issue of risk in play. We do this by looking at the factors that affect practitioners' judgment, including their concerns about the potential for parental complaint or being thought negligent. A risk assessment is undertaken by workshop participants as part of the workshop.

The workshop explores the link between risk assessment and creating best possible play environments.

“the workshop has made a difference to my attitude to play and risk-taking in a positive way”

Workshop participant

At PLAYLINK we have found that the Risk & Play Workshop is a powerful tool enabling practitioners to become more confident in offering children challenging and stimulating play opportunities. The workshops focus on play in almost any setting: after school clubs, parks, adventure playgrounds, open space, schools, non-staffed playgrounds, childminders and nurseries.

“Thought provoking… the workshop will enable me to think of risks (and play) objectives more clearly…”

A member of the Regeneration and Inspection Unit, Greenwich

Workshop Content

Each workshop is designed to be responsive to the specific concerns of the participants. We aim to cover the questions below. The level of detail accorded each question varies in response to local need. The exception is the risk assessment process itself, which is mandatory for providers and is fully covered in every workshop.

1. Play: what is it?
2. Risk assessment: how do you get the balance right?
3. Reasonableness: how can you show that you make reasonable judgements about risk levels?
4. Negligence: the difference between negligence and an accident.
5. What constitutes a serious injury?
6. Culture of anxiety: how it affects judgement.
7. The play environment: what are the criteria by which judgements should be made?

How many workshop participants?

Generally, it is best not to exceed 15 participants per workshop but there can be some flexibility on this.

Cost

Each workshop costs from £950 plus expenses, usually only travel.

To discuss the Risk Assessment Workshop, please contact us.