Description
Book SynopsisUsing the UK government's play strategy for England (2008-10) as a case study, this is the first book to look in detail at children's play within public policy. It is an essential tool for practitioners and campaigners around the world.
Trade Review"a very interesting and engaging book for anyone who is looking for questions of why the development of a national Play Strategy has been such a hard journey, or for any international agency wishing to take this path in the future" Journal of Playwork Practice
"This is the story of the short-lived political recognition of children’s play by the UK government. Adrian Voce takes us through the exciting highs and subsequent lows with great clarity, attention to detail and no little passion." Fraser Brown, Leeds Beckett University
"Policy for play is a good read, and a starting point to asking questions." International Journal of Play
"This engaging and timely book is a really welcome addition to published work on play and policy in the UK. It will be an essential read for anyone seeking to understand how play and policy are interconnected in practice." John Horton, University of Northampton
"In 2010 a very promising Play Strategy for England was set out. The author of this book was an important actor in this process and shares his inspiring experiences in this book." Jan van Gils Director, Research Centre Childhood and Society, Belgium, until 2010
Table of ContentsTo play and to dream: restoring play to the heart of the campaign for children’s rights; For a change: finding the evidence for play policy; Advocates for play: playwork’s place at the heart of the play movement; New opportunities: lottery funding and the beginnings of public play policy; A vital and vibrant city: how devolved government in London set the benchmark for play policy; Making the case: the call for a national play strategy; Things to do, places to go: how play was overlooked by children’s services reform; Getting serious: the national play review; Lottery millions: the Children’s Play Initiative; Dirt is good: the Play England project; The best place in the world: the Play Strategy for England; Playbuilders: breaking the mould of the public playground; Everyday adventures: austerity brings an end to play policy in England; Skylarks and canaries: the legacy of the Play Strategy; A future unimagined: responding to children’s right to play: conclusions and recommendations.
