Playwork

PARS is an alternative approach to working with children in their leisure time. Based on the practice of the UK adventure playground pioneers, the PARS model of playwork practice was developed from research by Dr Shelly Newstead and is now used by professionals (and increasingly parents) all over the world.

PARS empowers adults to enable children make their own choices about how they spend their free time. Research has found that PARS practitioners are less likely to intervene in children’s self-directed activities and are more open to children’s risk-taking behaviours, which increases children’s social and emotional development and resilience (Chan et al, 2020).

All children need to play, it is a biological, psychological and social necessity. Play is essential for the healthy development of the child and the wider community.
Play should be freely chosen. Children should decide how and where they play, why they’re playing and what happens in their play.
Playworkers should facilitate play, helping children to make their own decisions, and giving them control of their play. This should form the basis of all playwork training.
For playworkers, the process of play is the most important thing, and we support and promote play in all areas of our work.
The role of the playworker is to support all children in creating spaces in which they can play.
Playworkers use their knowledge of the play process, and reflective practice, when responding to children’s play.
Playworkers are aware of the impact their presence has on the play space, and the impact of children and their play on the playworker.
Playworkers understand that it is important not to interrupt the play process unnecessarily. Intervention must balance risk with the benefit and well-being of the child.