Playtime in the Peak
2.0 Core Values
We have agreed a set of core values in relation to our commitment to play provision in the Borough:
- Play is an activity that has a value in its own right. It is about the fun and satisfaction of the participant and benefits children, young people, families and communities.
- Every child and young person in High Peak should be able to access play opportunities, play activities, play facilities relevant to their needs and play aspirations.
- Children and young people in High Peak have the right to secure safe, hazard free play environments and to lead active, healthy lives.
- Children and young people should be involved in the design of the environment in which they play.
- The views, opinions and experiences of children and young people should be taken into account in the development of policies and strategies and the decision making processes which impact upon their lives.
- The role of early years provision for play in child development is recognised within the strategy.
These values have taken account of the Play objectives outlined in ‘Best Play’, ‘Planning For Play’ a Play Policy for Derbyshire County Council, and good practice outlined in BLF guidance.
3.0 Our Vision
‘High Peak will be a child friendly place where all children and young people have access to play opportunities within their local communities, which offer variety, adventure and stimulus. They will be able to play freely and safely and make choices about where, how and when they play.’
4.0 Our Objectives
The main objectives of this play strategy are to:
- ensure and improve play space and play provision in terms of quality, quantity, accessibility and safety;
- ensure that play space and play provision is inclusive and meets the needs of all local children and young people;
- promote greater social inclusion;
- develop a balance between supervised and unsupervised provision according to local need;
- ensure that play spaces enhance the quality of the local environment for children and young people;
- improve the public realm as a child-friendly environment;
- provide a clear framework for investment priorities, action and workforce development;
- make clear links to other relevant strategies and plans in the borough;
- make the best use of natural environment and public realm.
In preparation of the strategy and our action plan, we have adopted a number of general principles, which develop the main objectives outlined above:
- The strategy will be targeted at children from 0 to 16 years old;
- Meaningful participation of children and young people in the process, to ensure relevance and ownership;
- Establishment of a clear vision and policy framework;
- Shared understanding and adoption of the principles of play as a child’s right and essential to their healthy development;
- Shared understanding of the principles of inclusion and the social model of disability;
- Understanding the play needs and aspirations of local children and young people;
- Formation of collaborative and enabling partnerships;
- Sustainability;
- Understanding of risk and safety issues in relation to children’s play;
- Quality, long-term design principles;
- Sustainable management and maintenance arrangements;
- Understanding and promotion of the recognised objectives of good play provision;
- Inclusive and accessible design principles.
The strategy will run for a period of five years, although the Action Plan covers a three year period initially. High Peak Borough Council is committed to an ongoing programme of capital funding for play provision within this five year period. The strategy will be reviewed annually and monitored through the councils performance monitoring system.
Consultation and Involvement
In the preparation of this strategy, we have utilised significant amounts of information resulting from consultation with residents, groups and other over recent years. The results of this exercise are summarised in an Appendix to the strategy:
- We are committed to involving children and young people in the preparation and delivery of the strategy and want them to be at the centre of the process.
- We will continue to use a variety of mechanisms to achieve engagement including peer involvement mechanisms.
- We believe that it is better to use existing structures and networks to achieve involvement and participation where they exist, rather than setting up specific groups and will adopt this approach in implementing this strategy.
- We have used local newspapers to get feedback on some basic issues around play and the results have been analysed and incorporated into the strategy.
- We have also asked a number of questions through the High Peak Citizens Panel and although the results are not yet finalised they will be reviewed as part of the ongoing updating of the action plan.
Each of the specific schemes within the project portfolio will also be the subject of detailed engagement and involvement in the detailed design and delivery stage of the scheme, when the project managers, our Parks Service, will engage with local residents, including young people, in agreeing the layout of the scheme and specific provision. This method has proved very successful in the past, as we can ensure a short timescale between involvement on design and the delivery of the scheme.
