SPPF

Scottish Play Policy Forum (SPPF) 

The Scottish Play Policy Forum (SPPF) was an aspiration of Play Scotland and was set up in 2008. The first inaugural meeting was held on 29 May 2008.  There has a been a UK wide Children's Play Policy Forum (CPPF) since 1994 which Play Scotland are a member of.  The SPPF will assist Play Scotland to feed into the CPPF and also develop a strong body for supporting play in Scotland.

There is a SPPF Reference Group, which is in accordance with our Scottish Government funding bids, which consists of Play Scotland, National Playbus Association, National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries (NATLL), Scottish pre-School Association (SPPA), Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) and Scottish Out of School Care Network (SOSCN) - although at present SOSCN do not have the capacity to participate in the reference group.

Sue Palmer, Author, is the Chair of the SPPF.

Mission Statement 

The mission statement of the SPPF is:

"To discuss and when relevant coordinate work at a policy level in Scotland, in order to support the development of quality play opportunities for all children and young people, aged 0-18 years.

Particular attention may be required to ensure that the right to play of children who are sometimes excluded, such as those who are disabled, disadvantaged  or marginalised in any way, is upheld"

Members of the SPPF

How much do you know about play?

Why is real outdoor play important for children?

• It develops their self confidence and resilience
• It helps them learn to make friends and get along with people
• It develops their common sense understanding of the world and how it works
• It's very important for physical fitness
• It teaches them lessons they can't learn at school
• It's FUN
• Any other suggestions - please let us know

Why don't 21st century children play out enough?

• There's so much traffic nowadays
• There might be ‘stranger danger'
• They might get into trouble
• They might get dirty
• It's not safe round where we live
• People think you're an irresponsible parent if you let your child play out
• Children want to stay in and watch TV or play computer games
• Any other suggestions - please let us know.

What can parents do about this?

• Teach children road safety from an early age
• Explain what to do if someone approaches them, and where it's safe to go
• Set them firm boundaries, and teach them to be well-mannered to adults
• Send them out in old clothes so it doesn't matter if they get mucky
• Work with other parents to make your neighbourhood as safe as possible for play
• Work with your community to ensure everyone keeps an eye on the children
• Ration children's time with TV and computers - too much is bad for their brains
• Any other suggestions - please let us know

What can politicians do about it?

• Promote traffic calming measures in residential areas
• Set up ‘Home Zones' where people (especially children) come before cars
• Commission a public information campaign about the importance of play
• Send out information through the schools to help parents reinstate outdoor play
• Make sure the general public knows that ‘it takes a village to raise a child'
• Employ playworkers, based in primary schools, to facilitate play in their area
• Start ‘greening' our urban environments so they're more fun to play in
• Any other suggestions - please let us know