ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Chair’s Report
The last year will be remembered for one thing, and everything which has happened over this time will of necessity be related to that. Covid. The fears, the attempts to manage and the changes which have emerged due to it. For children, the main point of life is the activity of interacting with the world; this has been curtailed, and for Playwork, the main point is facilitating a behaviour which is mainly social; also curtailed. This has produced a range of creative and innovative responses from those active in playwork and, most of all, has been a period of intense reflection both on those responses and the nature and future of playwork, a craft which is already suffering from politically motivated cuts and a consequent hollowing out as some see their future in greener pastures.
The Playwork Foundation began it’s year without Covid featuring at the last AGM, which saw us say goodbye to Penny Wilson and Eddie Nuttall as trustees, and welcome Jackie Boldon and Vicky Edwards as new trustees. As per the constitution, these new trustees were nominated by volunteering themselves at the meeting, to be formally appointed by the Board at the subsequent trustees meeting. Officer roles also changed, with Karen Benjamin filling the Treasurer’s role and Simon Rix that of Chair. Anne-Marie Mackin also joined the board as a trustee a few months later.
Almost immediately events overtook us all, and Playwork’s response was forced into the virtual and other support methods by lockdown. Playwork organisations around the countries of these islands have risen magnificently to the challenges presented by both the pandemic and the varying and sometimes conflicting guidance which has been available. Responses have ranged from distributing play packs, advice and ideas around communities, to online play sessions, to providing play sessions under social distancing and ‘bubble’ rules and guidance, to disinfecting entire sites several times a day, to using their position in and contact with communities to address need such as food distribution.
While the Foundation’s online presence has been hampered both by technical difficulties and continually fluctuating guidance, members and trustees have been involved with and/or led such initiatives such as online reflective practice, Meynell’s online nine week conference, delivery of online play sessions and Playwork in Progress, which has developed an international participation.
Fundraising for Foundation projects and development has been a problem over the year as funders diverted programmes into emergency, direct Covid responses. The Foundation agreed that it was not appropriate to increase competition over these pots as a second tier organisation, and that applications made could be wasted. However, the Foundation has continued to develop partnerships and plans to support the continued existence of playwork and it’s advancement as we emerge from the pandemic.
A significant proportion of this work has been around training and qualifications. Since the requirement for qualifications in England was removed by the Government, playwork has suffered across the UK through not having an active or interested sector skills council and each nation has had to go it alone in terms of reviewing qualifications which are not necessarily available in the other nations. As playwork in England was also deregulated, the availability and uptake of any playwork qualifications there has been extremely sparse for a number of years now.
The Foundation has worked with a group of playwork employers on both the proposed Trailblazer apprenticeship (England only) and a new Level 2 regulated qualification which could be attached to it, but could also be available as a stand-alone qualification. These have led the Foundation into some new and exciting areas. There is also no Playwork Education
and Training Council in England, unlike the other three countries which make up the United Kingdom, making coordinated working difficult; and so we are now working with Play England to create one. There is also no body which can fulfil the required function of maintaining an oversight of the knowledge, skills, conduct and practice of the occupation, craft or profession of playwork; and we have been looking at setting this up. Some of the requirements here are external and need to be responded to in order to be able to maintain and develop playwork; some of them are the mechanics to be able to do so. The Foundation has and will continue to liaise with stakeholders and concerned parties in the four Nations in pursuit of them as a work plan for the coming year.
Thanks are due to those who have sat as board members over the last year, which could be described, as in the well known curse, as ‘interesting times’. The Board thanks all those who have contributed to and worked with foundation activities through the year, and welcomes those playworkers who will, no doubt, be queueing up to join us in the coming.
Below please find the ‘roadmap’ we are currently working on to set out what we are doing and where the Playwork Foundation – this is definitely a work in progress at present, but we wanted to share it with you and invite you to work with us!
UK Playwork Foundation - Roadmap
----- Start of picture text -----
Priorities Now Next Later
Raising the profile of the Planning Playwork and Setting up a
playwork sector Alternative Education campaign group
conference
(providing leadership, Heritage Lottery
communication & bid
facilitated discussions
around the future of Becoming a
playwork – cutting edge professional body
practice/trends and for playwork
linking to the bigger
picture)
Playwork News Playwork in Progress Expanding
Website - restructuring Playwork in
(being ‘on the pulse’ – Facebook Progress?
what’s happening when, Twitter?
where, how and why,
events, training,
projects closing,
opening and
celebrating)
Creating a knowledge Developing playwork Contributing to Developing
base for playwork apprenticeships and Playwork NOS playwork
training courses review archives,
including
playwork
research
Partnership working Working with other
NPO’s – establishing a
PETC England
Supporting Summer of
Play campaign
----- End of picture text -----
Ongoing governance Membership, APM, and management of Accounts, charity Annual report etc.
Summary of the main achievements of The Playwork Foundation charity during the year
Over the last financial year the Trustees of The Playwork Foundation have met regularly to further the aims of the charity.
We have organised and hosted The ADDaPT training course run by Martin King-Sheard from Play Wales where 12 Playwork Trainers undertook this qualification in order to deliver P2 & P3 Playwork Qualifications in England.
We have had a presence and attended the National Playwork conference in March in Eastbourne.
We have worked with Play England and the other national bodies to develop a Manifesto for Play.
We have delivered the first of our seminar days to honour the work of the late Perry Else & Gordon Sturrock on The Play Cycle to Adventure Playground Workers in Leicestershire.
We have had and continue to have a key role on the Playwork Apprenticeship Trailblazer group, developing the standard, endpoint assessment and trainer/learner materials.
We have been involved in funding applications in partnership with The University of Gloucestershire and Playwork Partnerships, and independently to AVIVA.
We have been writing articles for our newsletters.
Future Plans
We hope to be continuing with the delivery of Seminar days in Wrexham, Evesham and Sheffield once Covid restrictions allow
We will be finalising the work on the website and improving communication with our members through more regular newsletters and relevant articles of interest to the sector, particularly playwork during Covid 19 lockdown. We aim to introduce a new membership system after approval at our members meeting in June
We are working towards a conference in partnership with Play Torbay on Alternative Education provision entitled ‘No Need to Exclude’.
We will help finalise the development of the new Playwork Apprenticeship in England. We are working with the four nations to establish a PETC England (Playwork Education and Training Council)
We will be continuing in applying for funding to support our work.
We will be organising members meets and our AGM.
Karen Benjamin (Treasurer) June 2021
Registered Charity Number 1176557 Registered Company Number CE012854
The Playwork Foundation
Report and Unaudited Accounts
31 March 2021
Incorporating P&W Social Accountants
The Playwork Foundation The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2021
Introduction
The trustees present their annual report and accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021.
Legal and Administrative Details
The Playwork Foundation (or "the Charity") was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Commission on 8 January 2018.
Charity Commission Registration: 1176557 Company number: CE012854
Trustees:
S Bazley K Benjamin J Bolden (appointed 12th June 2020) S Edwards V Edwards (appointed 12th June 2020) J Green Anne-Marie Mackin (appointed 18th January 2021) B McIlwrath S Rix M Stobart A Wood
Contact Office:
53 Aversley Road Birmingham B38 8PD
Accountants:
P&W Social Accountants 10 Newent Road Northfield Birmingham
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The Playwork Foundation
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2021
Objectives and Activities of the Charity
The object of the Charity is to advance and promote education, for the public benefit, in children's play and playwork, in particular but not exclusively by:
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Providing information;
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Raising awareness;
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Facilitating discourse;
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Carrying out research; and
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Building capacity.
The Foundation
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Provides advocacy;
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Advice and information;
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Sponsors or undertakes research; and
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Acts as an umbrella or resource body for playworkers and playwork.
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
Over the last financial year the Trustees of The Playwork Foundation have met regularly to further the aims of the charity.
We have organised and hosted The ADDaPT training course run by Martin King-Sheard from Play Wales where 12 Playwork Trainers undertook this qualification in order to deliver P2 & P3 Playwork Qualifications in England.
We have had a presence and attended the National Playwork conference in March in Eastbourne.
We have worked with Play England and the other national bodies to develop a Manifesto for Play.
We have delivered the first of our seminar days to honour the work of the late Perry Else & Gordon Sturrock on The Play Cycle to Adventure Playground Workers in Leicestershire.
We have had and continue to have a key role on the Playwork Apprenticeship Trailblazer group, developing the standard, endpoint assessment and trainer/learner materials.
We have been involved in funding applications in partnership with The University of Gloucestershire and Playwork Partnerships, and independently to AVIVA.
We have been writing articles for our newsletters.
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The Playwork Foundation The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2021 Future Plans
We hope to be continuing with the delivery of Seminar days in Wrexham, Evesham and Sheffield once Covid restrictions allow.
We will be finalising the work on the website and improving communication with our members through more regular newsletters and relevant articles of interest to the sector, particularly playwork during Covid 19 lockdown. We aim to introduce a new membership system after approval at our members meeting in June.
We are working towards a conference in partnership with Play Torbay on Alternative Education provision entitled ‘No Need to Exclude’.
We will help finalise the development of the new Playwork Apprenticeship in England. We are working with the four nations to establish a PETC England (Playwork Education and Training Council).
We will be continuing in applying for funding to support our work.
We will be organising members meets and our AGM.
Structure, Governance and Management
Nature of the Governing Document and constitution of the charity
The Charity is controlled by its governing document, adopted on 8 January 2018, and was registered with the Charity Commission on 8 January 2018. The Foundation is registered as a CIO as defined by the Charities Act 2006.
Trustee Selection
The Trustees have regard to the skills knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the Charity. Trustees are selected to give the charity a good mix of appropriate professional skills.
Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011, and have referred to and taken due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and consider the charity's activities are for the public benefit.
Financial Review
Policies on reserves
The Charity is currently building up free reserves in order to deliver its aims and objectives, a full policy on reserves will be produced by the Trustees once the charity begins to recognise expenditure.
Internal Control & Risk Management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The trustees are responsible for the internal controls, and review them on an annual basis. They also actively review the major risks which the charity faces, and review them on a regular basis.
Transactions and Financial position
The Statement of Financial Activities show net outgoing resources for the year of £244 (2020: incoming resources of £80).
The total reserves at the year end of 31 March 2021 stand at £2,455 (2020: £1,110).
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The Playwork Foundation The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 March 2021
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The Charities Act require the board of trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Board is required to :-
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
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state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed , subject to any material
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departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
The trustees are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with regulations made under the Charities Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are also responsible for the contents of the trustees' report, and the responsibility of the independent examiner in relation to the trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that, on the face of the report, there are no inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.
Method of preparation of accounts
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's Governing Document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2015 (SORP 2015).
This report was approved by the board of trustees on 31st May 2021
K Benjamin Trustee
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Accountants' Report to the Trustees of
The Playwork Foundation
You have approved the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes. In accordance with your instructions, we have compiled these unaudited accounts from the accounting records and information and explanations supplied to us.
R B Welch FCA MA Chartered Accountant P&W Social Accountants 10 Newent Road Northfield Birmingham B31 2ED
31st May 2021
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The Playwork Foundation Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2021
| Note Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Activities for generating funds 3 Total incoming resources Resources expended on charitable activities 4 Total resources expended Net (outgoing) / incoming resources before transfers between funds Gross transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 7 Total Funds carried forward 7 |
Unrestricted Unrestricted & Total & Total Funds Funds 2021 2020 £ £ 244 40 244 40 1,589 120 1,589 120 (1,345) (80) - - (1,345) (80) 2,455 2,535 1,110 2,455 |
|---|---|
The net movement in funds referred to above is the net incoming resources as defined in the SORP and is reconciled to the total funds as shown in the Balance Sheet as required by the SORP paragraph 4.60.
All activities derive from continuing operations
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| The Playwork Foundation Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021 Note Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors Amounts falling within one year 6 Provisions for liabilities and charges Net assets The funds of the charity : Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted revenue funds 7 1,110 Total unrestricted funds Total charity funds |
2021 £ 1,230 (120) - 1,110 2,455 1,110 1,110 |
2020 £ 2,575 (120) - 2,575 2,455 2,455 |
|---|---|---|
The Trustees are satisfied that the Charitable Incorporated Company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The Trustees acknowledges their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the special provisions within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 31st May 2021 and signed on its behalf by:
K Benjamin Trustee
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The Playwork Foundation Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2021
1 General Information
The Playwork Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered and domiciled in England. Its principal activity is to operate as a charity established to advance and promote education, for the public benefit, in children's play and playwork. Its registered office is 53 Aversley Road, Birmingham, B38 8PD
2 Accounting policies
Basis of accounting policies
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2015 (SORP 2015).
The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
Preparation of accounts on a going concern basis
Having regard to the level of reserves and the ongoing level of expenditure against unrestricted funds in conjunction with the development of membership activity in the coming year the trustees are satisfied that the accounts should be prepared on a going concern basis.
Income
All income is recognised in the statement of financial activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
| 3 Activities for generating funds Membership income 4 Resources expended on charitable activities Accountancy fees Website and software costs |
2021 £ 244 2021 £ 120 1,469 1,589 |
2020 £ 40 2020 £ 120 - 120 |
|---|---|---|
5 Trustees' remuneration and benefits
Neither the trustees nor any persons connected with them have received any remuneration from the charity or any related entity, either in the current or prior year.
There were no trustees expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2021 (2020: £Nil).
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The Playwork Foundation Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 March 2021
| 6 Creditors: Amounts falling within one year Accruals 7 Movement in funds Current year Unrestricted and total funds Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted and total funds Comparative year Unrestricted and total funds Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted and total funds |
At 01.03.20 £ 2,455 Incoming resources £ 244 At 01.03.19 £ 2,535 Incoming resources £ 40 |
2021 £ 120 Net movement in funds £ (1,345) Resources expended £ (1,589) Net movement in funds £ (80) Resources expended £ (120) |
2020 £ 120 At 31.03.21 £ 1,110 Movement in funds £ (1,345) At 31.03.20 £ 2,455 Movement in funds £ (80) |
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