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Training - Play Inclusive

Play Scotland is tickled P.inc!

The innovative project Play Inclusive, or P.inc for short, has recently moved to Play Scotland. P.inc originated at The Yard adventure playground in Edinburgh. Play Scotland is delighted to have the opportunity to further this work and to develop P.inc as part of a national training programme – P.inc and Blew.

‘Blew’ stands for buildings, landscapes, eating wisely. Play Scotland is developing resources and training on:

  • Making best use of, and developing, indoor and outdoor environments for play
  • Healthy eating and building confidence to play

The training will be available throughout Scotland, delivered by regional training officers.

Susan McIntyre, who has worked on P.inc from the beginning of the project at The Yard, through to the new phase at Play Scotland, will be developing P.inc and Blew.

Play Scotland are currently able to offer P.inc presentations and workshops at conferences and events.  For more information contact susanmcintyre@playscotland.org

Children playing with tyres

Play Inclusive Connections (2004-2007)

In this action research project, P.inc worked with schools, out of school clubs and play projects around Scotland. P.inc Connections explored inclusive playwork practice, in terms of the types of hands on support adults can give to play, and the resulting effects and benefits to inclusion.

‘People play together more. There’s more happiness. People that don’t play together have been and different ages playing together. You could see by people’s faces they were enjoying it’ (Girl, P6)

‘(P.inc) hit the client group for inclusive play, it really did work, that for the children who need extra support, (P.inc) had a formula to work within that they were not singled out from their peers. (Classroom Assistant)

People play together more: A handbook for supporting inclusive play

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The ideas from P.inc Connections have been compiled into a practical handbook ‘People play together more’. This was launched by Kathleen Marshall, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People.

‘This resource has currency across the wider children’s workforce and will help other sectors to apply the principles of facilitating inclusive play for children across a range of settings. Students completing vocational qualifications in Playwork will be able to use the suggestions in this handbook to assist them in generating evidence for their portfolios.’ (SkillsActive)

It is full of practical advice on topics such as:

  • Cheap and interesting play resources.
  • Ways of setting up for play indoors and outdoors.
  • Tailoring opportunities to meet individual needs.
  • Techniques to support children to play together.
  • Tools for consulting with children.

There are tips for quick reference, core text with more detailed information and activities staff teams can do together to try out the approaches. The advise is about supporting the free play of children of all abilities and needs.

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To order a copy (for £14.99 including p&p) contact Play Scotland on 0131 440 9070 or Email: info@playscotland.org

For more information contact susanmcintyre@playscotland.org

Susan playing

Research findings from P.inc Connections have been compiled into a report, available here as a PDF. (Note, the report does not contain practical advice – if this is what you would prefer please order a handbook).

P.inc Connections Research Report - pdf

Girl smiling


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© All images & text Play Scotland


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Key findings from P.inc:
  • A sense of being included is dependant on friendships and fun.

  • Flexible, junk materials support inclusive play.

  • Varying the indoor and outdoor layout could open up new possibilities for play.

  • Opportunities could be tailored to meet a range of needs.

  • Adults could facilitate communications and support children's 'frames' of play (the storylines and props which maintain a game).

  • Support and training on play is needed and valued by a wide range of professionals working with children.