play strategy appendices doc -...

Horsham District Play Strategy and Action Plan

Appendices

page 1


1. Appendix 1 – Model Risk Assessment 3

2. Appendix 2 – Key Play Contacts 7

3. Appendix 3 – Horsham District Council Equipped Play Areas 9

4. Appendix 4 – Preliminary HDC Quality Checklist 13

5. Appendix 5 – Hopes, Fears and Ideas from Launch Meeting 14

6. Appendix 6 – Young Persons Play Review Questionnaire 20

7. Appendix 7 - Findings from Young Persons Play Review Questionnaire 24

8. Appendix 8 – Parents & Carers Questionnaire 27

9. Appendix 9 – Findings from Parents & Carers questionnaire 28

10. Appendix 10 – Wish List 31

page 2


page 3


page 4


page 5


2. Appendix 2 – Key Play Contacts

Roles within Horsham District Council that have an involvement with the provision offree Children’s Play opportunities:

Cabinet Member for Leisure and Cultural ServicesCabinet Member for Community Partnerships and Housing ServicesCommunity Development and Leisure Services Director

Leisure Services ManagerEvents & Promotions OfficerParks Services ManagerParks Community Liaison OfficerHead Countryside WardenCommunity Development ManagerYouth and Older Person OfficerCommunity CoachesArts Development Officer

Head of Strategic and Community PlanningPrinciple Planning OfficerParish Liaison Officer

Roles within West Sussex County Council that have an involvement with the provisionof free Children’s Play opportunities:

Extended Schools ConsultantInclusion Co-ordinator, Children and Young People's ServicesProject Co-ordinator, Children's FundPrincipal Youth Officer, Education I & LS Youth ServiceChildcare CoordinatorCounty CoordinatorAssociate Advisor, Education SIS WSYU

page 6


page 7


page 8


page 9


page 10


4. Appendix 4 – Preliminary HDC Quality Checklist

page 11


5. Appendix 5 Hopes, Fears and Ideas from Launch Meeting

HOPESInclusive Play Opportunities Open access to allAs easy access as possiblePlay Partnership can work together for the benefit of all children and young people Strategy should clearly identify needs of all age groupsInclusive areasInclusive for all childrenInclusion to be high on the agendaInclusive /balanced range of activitiesEngages all childrenAll encompassing play

Play EnvironmentsAs little control as possibleThat it will lead to innovative play solutions that challenge children and young people.More all weather playTo see more variety in activities open to young people More challenging and imaginative opportunitiesCreative and intelligent ideas to provide for teens but not at the expense of youngerchildrenRefurbishment of play areas -attractive to children-more likely to use Wide range of equipment and activitiesAll weather playIndoor and outNo limitsImprove service /facilitiesChildren will feel more relaxed and enjoy free timeThat children will be able to play in a safe environmentWithin walking/cycling distance from homeAttractive and friendly placesChildren should be able to play in the vicinity of their own homes-deal with the barriers

Natural playTo see children playing with natural thingsUse of the natural environmentNatural cycling areas

page 12


Teenage facilitiesChildren 10 -16 will have provision to do things in their spare time.That play provision will be improved particularly in rural areasBetter provision for young people 13-18 More things for 13 -16 Skateboard /street sports provision 20 years overdue in Steyning To occupy 15-18 year oldsThat equal priority will be given to 13-18 year Provide areas for teenagers where there is not a drugs and drinking culture that keepsothers awayRecognition of the play needs of teenagers

Supporting PlayAn open attitude by Horsham District CouncilEducation for parents to encourage good play and promote healthy relationshipsMore investmentOnce put into place hope that will continue to be funded and managed Partnerships with existing groupsPromotes family playAccess all resourcesChildren directed through schoolsImprove partnership workingSupervised park areasA strategy that is developed to meet the needs of the area ,not simply to satisfy theBig Lottery Fund Complementing Parish and District provisionImprove the understanding of play needsCommon sense by the judiciaryTarget funding and resources more effectivelyTake play to the childrenPlay happens where children want to beRespect for others and the equipmentLess vandalism on play facilitiesI hope that more children have play opportunities for longer Improve service /facilitiesThe targeting of facilities is successful

ConsultationConsultation is wide rangingThat young people will be consulted about what they want e.g. skate park in SteyningInvolve young people in developing the strategyInvolve children in the processLet's not assume we know what children want

page 13


FEARSInclusiveWill it be inclusive to allFocus on children 0-12 whilst ignoring young people e.g. 13 -19provision for 13 -16 yr olds will be forgottenSince youth matters not mentioned in the presentation will young people 13-19 beforgotten How to consult as widely as possible i.e. children with learning difficulties

Play OpportunitiesDon't want all areas to be formal and equippedToo many formal play zonesToo structuredSafely maintained equipmentLack of suitable sitesInsufficient natural play spacesThat there will be too many formal play areas that do not encourage the imaginationLots of glossy play areas that only appeal to families that already provide good playfor their children That any new play areas will not be usedThe play facilities will be ruined vandalised beyond repairCompensation culture stifles riskCatering for the minorityFear that the focus will be on play areas rather than play opportunitiesChildren will feel too afraid to use them

Financial/sustainabilityWasted moneyMoney not spent in the best wayProvision and maintenance costsWhen the funding goes who will make sure it keeps going (finance)Insufficient fundingWho will stay responsiblePaper exercise uses all fundsCessation of service due to lack of fundsCertain areas will be left out due to lack of fundsHDC won't put enough money into itFunding dries up Budgets are cutHorsham will use money at the expense of rural areasVandalism, Cynicism, loss of will to succeedWho will end up keeping the Strategy going?Lost impetusHow do you ensure facilties are sustainable, particularly those installed via 106

page 14


Barriers

VandalismVandalism lack of will to succeedPotential vandalismTeenagers not catered for, so they disrupt the play opportunities of younger childrenPlay becomes vandalismThey(play facilities) will be ruined vandalised beyond repairVandalism

AdultsGood ideas stopped by lack of site and concerned neighboursReactionary groups Friends of Horsham ParkPlanning obstructions/objectionsGood ideas stopped by lack of site and concerned neighboursGrumpy adultsFear of litigationNeighbours complaintsThat the economic pressures on parents lead to little involvement in playPeople may not like itAdult opposition to any suggestion

ProcessesLack of consultationLack of visionMaking the whole policy too controllingWill the HDC Strategy fit in with neighbouring Council's?Strategy fails to be joined upIt needs to be worth other partners joining inThe work will move too quickly therefore not giving time to develop a clear long term vision

OtherThat children have forgotten how to play and experiment - taking risks is important Media continue to publicise every incident involving childrenFear that Megan's Law is introducedLack of schools accessibilityCRB checks should not continue to make us not get involved Difficulty of involving individual children not just through groups

page 15


IDEASPlay EnvironmentsInformalMaking better use of what we have as informal areasExpand facilities for art and creative activitiesUnstructured playNatural areas, trees, wood, boulders.Home ZonesMaintain the natural environmentNatural play zonesAllocate areas without equipment in each areaMountain bike tracks in the forest areasHome Zones in new housing developmentsCreate many more natural areas for children to play inMake more adventure playgrounds tunnels, sand water etcAdopt a similar approach to the forestry commission to exploratory playNeed more of the natural play area to be enabledAreas that provide a creative play (building, natural elements,sand,sticks blocks etc for7-12 age group) Open accessEncourage competitiveness againMake play fun

FormalSpontaneous play enabled by sports coachesAdult play zonesLocal Play RangersTeenage play areasMore areas to play where you won't get wet in winter All play areas parks etc to be of the 21st century high tec nature of this electronic age More grown up things like ice skating or a teenage pub called a tub which is nonalcoholicHDC back to school organised sportPlaces that can involve a range of age ranges

Adult's RoleFacilities for barbecue etc so that parents can be present and doing something whilstkids play Educate parents on what play is and how it contributesDeal with the complainers not the children's play area or the children Good play practice is helped by parental encouragement- can we inform- educateparentsEducate families and children on staying safe to encourage them to go out and play

page 16


Partnership workingPromote friends of groups for sitesUse school partnershipsPlay recreation compactInvolve youths to take on projects and manage somePrivate Public PartnershipsEngage other organisations providing playPrivate Public PartnershipsExtended schools agendaUse voluntary groups organisations to promote play opportunities Involve schools with their local play area -sense of ownership Make funding go further by getting some things sponsored or donatedHDC back to school organised sportTo bring together the district and the wider local authority planning

ConsultationInclude drop outsInvolve trouble makers in discussionsInvolve children make it theirsInvolve young peopleInvolve young people in design/ ideas/planning areasInvite children to a brain stormingConsult with children prizes for realisable ideasCompetition for children to design their own play areasDevelop a play information trail across the District Find out what they want and encourage them to look after it properly

ProcessesBe brave!Spend the money sensiblyIdentify specific areas for budget purposesThat good practice is replicated, do not keep reinventing the wheelWork with what already exists then look biggerMake this a bigger issue in District budget debate so good practice is sustained

BarriersStage a campaign to remove some of the fearsReverse policies such as selling off playing fields

page 17


6. Appendix 6 – Young Persons Play Review Questionnaire

1 Where do you most like to go in your leisure time after school or weekends?

A On the street near to my house? ❑

B The local Play/Games area? ❑

C The local Skate park? ❑

E The local pond/river? ❑

F The local Park or Recreation ground? ❑

G The local woods? ❑

H The local shops? ❑

I Friends house? ❑

2 What do you most like to do when there?

A Meet/chat with friends? ❑

B Play ball games? ❑

C Skateboard? ❑

D Ride my bicycle? ❑

E Invent games? ❑

F Build dens? ❑

G Climb trees? ❑

I Explore? ❑

page 18


3 How often do you go there?

A More than once per week? ❑

B Less than once per week? ❑

4 What is the main reason for choosing this Location?

A Close to home? ❑

B I always feel safe there? ❑

C Lots of things to do? ❑

D Because my friends go there? ❑

E Easy to get to? ❑

F Because I can do the activity I choose? ❑

5 How often do you visit your local play area?

Please say what it is called __________________



C I don’t use the local play area? ❑

6 What stops you from going there more often?

A Too far away? ❑

B Don’t always feel safe? ❑

C Boring or limited facilities? ❑

D Not looked after very well? ❑

page 19


7 How often do you visit your local park or recreation ground?

Please say what it is called _______________________



C I don’t visit the local park? ❑

8 What is the main thing that stops you from going there more often?

A Too far away? ❑

B Don’t always feel safe? ❑

C Boring or limited facilities? ❑

D Not looked after very well? ❑

9 What is the one main thing that stops you from feeling safe when playing outside with friends?

A Road traffic? ❑

B Fear of bullying? ❑

C Told off by Adults? ❑

D Strangers? ❑

E Gangs? ❑

10 If you were to create your own perfect place to play which of the following do you feel is the most important?

A Lots of play equipment? ❑

B An adult to keep an eye on things? ❑

C An interesting landscape eg:Places to run, jump, hide, swing, make dens? ❑

D Away from cars and traffic? ❑

page 20


11 Should parents/carers be encouraged to support and join in their children’s leisure activities?

A Yes? ❑

B No? ❑

12 What is your age?

A 5-8? ❑

B 9-11? ❑

C 12-14? ❑

D 15-19? ❑

13 Boy or girl? _______________

14 What is your post code? ________________

page 21


7. Appendix 7 - Findings from Young Persons PlayReview Questionnaire

Current summary of findings from the Young Persons Play Review

Question 1Where do children and young people most like to go in their free leisure time.

The survey identified that the most popular place for children and young people to goin their leisure time was their friends house which accounted for 23% of the results.

This was followed by

20% The local park and recreation ground

17% The local Woods

13% The local shops

13% The local play area

8% The skate park

3% The street near to their house

Question 2What did they most like to do when thereThe most popular response was to meet and chat with friends, which accounted for40% of responses.


19% Playing ball games

10% Riding bicycles

10% Explore

9% Climbing trees

6% Skateboarding

4% Building dens

page 22


Question 3How often do they go to their most favoured place to play?

79% of the children and young people questioned said that they went to their favouriteplace more than once per week with 21% saying less than once per week

Question 4What was the main reason for choosing this location? 28% said that catching up with friends was the main reason for going to their favouritelocation, followed by

22% being close to home

21% lots of things to do

17% easy to get to

7% a feeling of safety

5% able to choose what to do

Question 5How often do children and young people visit their local play area?

55% of children and young people said that they don’t use the local play area

39% visit the local play area less than once per week,

6% of children responding said that they use the local play area more than once perweek.

Question 6What stops children and young people from visiting the local play area more often?50% of those who took part in the survey said that the main reason for not wanting togo to the local play area was boring or limited facilities.


26% not feeling safe

17% not looked after very well

7% the play area being too far away

page 23


Question 7How often do children and young people visit their local park or recreation ground?

47% of children questioned said that they visit the local park less than once per week.


41% saying that they that they visit more than once per week

16% did not visit the local park

Question 8What was the main reason for not visiting the local park more often?

56% of those questioned suggested that boring or limited facilities was the mainreason for not visiting the local park.

This was followed by 20% who said that they didn’t always feel safe

12% that it was too far away

12% the park wasn’t looked after very well

Question 9What stops children and young people from feeling safe when playing outsidewith friends?

A fear of gangs 52% was the main reason followed by

22% Bullying

15% being told off by adults

9% strangers

2% Road traffic

page 24


Question 10What would be the most important feature if children and young people coulddesign their own perfect place to play?

39% of children and young people questioned, suggested that an interestinglandscape where they could run, jump, hide, make dens etc, would be the mostimportant feature of a perfect place to play.


33% Away from traffic

24% Lots of play equipment

4% An adult to keep an eye on things

page 25


8. Appendix 8 – Parents & Carers Questionnaire

1 Do you think that being able to play outside is important to children and young people ?

2 Why do you think children and young people are not playing outside as much as they used to?

3 Do you think adults and parents have a role in supporting and encouraging children’s play? What might that role be?

4 Could Horsham District Council do more to encourage children’s play, if so what more should the Council be doing?

Please continue overleaf if necessary

Thank you

page 26


9. Appendix 9 - Findings from Parents & Carers questionnaire

Summary of findings from the Parents and CarersQuestionnaire

Do Parents and Carers think that being able to play outside is important to children and young people?

100% of responders said yes to this question

Why do parents and carers think that children and young people are not playing outside as much as they used to?

The vast majority of responses said that issues concerning safety were preventingchildren and young people from playing outside. The main themes being, generalsafety concerns 62%, road traffic 35%, fear of strangers 33% and gangs 9%.

Following this, 59% of responses said television and computer games were a barrierfollowed by mums at work 9%, bad weather 9%, lack of facilities close to home 8% andlack of community support 6%

Do parents and carers think they have a role in supporting and encouraging children’s play?

100% of responders said yes to this question

What might that role be?

Encouraging children to play outside more featured in 65% of responses.

More specifically this was identified as:

30% joining in activities

29% giving children the confidence to play outside

21%leading by example

supervising children’s play 20%

page 27


Other responses included, devoting more time to our children 14%, encouragechildren to use their imagination 12%, show children how to play 11%, limit TV andgames consoles 9%, support local play facilities 6%, give children permission to getdirty 6% and provide more family play opportunities 5%.

Could more be done in the public realm to encourage children’s play?

23% of responses said that they would like to see more supervision around communityareas, followed by:

17% more organised activities

15% make play areas better

Other responses included dog free, encourage play with other children, keep playareas clean, provide access to more initiatives like Springboard, more cycle routes,more social groups for children and young people, more indoor provision, encouragethe neighbourhood to take responsibility for play areas, provide more facilities, pressto support play initiatives, share information on play opportunities, age defined playareas, provide more seating for adults, provide shade and shelter.

page 28


page 29


page 30


page 31


page 32


page 33


page 34


page 35


page 36


page 37


page 38


page 39


page 40


page 41


page 42


page 43


page 44


page 45

play strategy appendices doc -...

Documents