For service providers, practitioners and researchers and anyone with an interest in how play can benefit the whole population – from babies to older people and everyone in between.

Leeds Metropolitan University in partnership with Leeds Play Network is hosting a day of presentations and workshops, bringing together service providers, practitioners and researchers to discuss the many ways in which play can benefit the whole population –from babies to older people and everyone in between. The event will include two keynote speakers, and a wide range of presentations and practical workshops, covering a number of topics, all falling within the general theme of the conference.   For further information about the keynote speakers and how to book please click here.

Under the new arrangement employers and employees will have to pay £26 for a standard check, and £44 for an enhanced check, in order to be registered with Ofsted, and to be employed in a registered childcare setting. However with the introduction of a new Update system there will be a long-term cost saving with the introduction of transferable checks. By subscribing to a new Update system, employees will only have to apply once to the DBS for a certificate which can then be updated and viewed online as they move jobs.

Applications for DBS checks will be honoured under the existing subsidy if received by 28 June.

Professor Perry Else will be presenting the keynote speech ‘Making a reality of the child’s right to play worldwide’.  There will also be an opportunity to take part in round table discussions on a variety of issues related to play.  Click here for further details on how to book and the itinerary for the day.

Why not come down to Leeds Play Network on a Saturday morning for a free fun session using scrap materials in a creative way? Take an opportunity to look around the Play Resource Centre which offers access to affordable scrap and arts/crafts materials. You can stock up on items and take some different creative ideas away. It’s also a good opportunity to have a chat and a coffee too.

Next session: Saturday 27th April  2013 – 10-12pm. If you would like to come along please ring the office on 0113 2016790 to let us know you will be coming.

This guidance sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and how practitioners should conduct the assessment of children.  This document replaces:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010);
• The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (2000);
• Statutory guidance on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 (2007).

The guidance will come into effect from 15 April 2013.  Click here to go to the education.gov website to access the revised document.

In response to the new publication the local authority has developed a briefing paper.  To access click here.   A more comprehensive paper is currently in development.

Invitations and a full agenda for the day can be viewed by clicking here. Please call Cheryl 0113 2016790 to book a place or request further information.

Children’s Services now have a simple online pledge function, so organisations and individuals across

To access the online pledge facility please click here.

Due to severe weather warnings we have cancelled the drop in arts session at Hunslet – we will re-arrange the session soon.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Following a recent scrap swap the play resource centre now has some interesting and quirky items of stock.  We have assorted tote bags, including Rolling Stones bags – a bargain at 25 pence each! There are all manner of assorted brightly coloured plastic items and some super cute tiny dinosaurs.  Mini dinosaur hunt anyone?   There are also various birthday candles, including little frogs as pictured above.  No birthday cake would be complete without one of them.  These are just a few pictures of the scrap we have in at the moment but we have lots of other stuff, paper, fabric, boxes etc.   So come down and have a rummage and see what you can find.  Click here for further information about the play resource centre.