Play sufficiency

In Wales, we want all children to have the best opportunity to play and enjoy their recreation time. High quality play experiences may contribute to alleviating the negative effects of poverty on children’s lives and help build resilience in our youngest members of society. We pride ourselves on being a play friendly country, providing children with time, space, and permission to play.

Did you know? Wales is the first country to pass law on a child’s right to play.

Welsh Government knew that to achieve this it is essential for local authorities, partners, and communities to work together. This is governed by the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010, and this covers children’s rights to sufficient play opportunities.

In comes… The play sufficiency Duty. This is done in two parts, The first is a Play Sufficiency Assessment (PSA) and the second is an action plan. The Play Sufficiency Assessment must be completed every 3 years and they come with an action plan which outlines what play sufficiency will focus on over the coming years. CCBC completed a PSA in June 2022.

The matters that are considered for the PSA are population, providing for diverse needs, space available for children to play, open spaces, outdoor unstaffed designated play spaces, supervised provision, play work provision, structured recreational activities, charges for play provision, information/publicity/events, the play workforce, community engagement and participation and play within policy and implementation agendas.