Requirements

Playworker - requirements

As a playworker, you’ll use your support skills to inspire children and young people, creating spaces and opportunities for beneficial play. Find out how to get a job as a playworker, how your career might progress, and what you might be working on day to day.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a playworker?

You don’t need a degree to work in this field, but a qualification in one of the following subjects might help you access specialised roles:

You can get into this role through a college course. Examples of relevant Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications include outdoor play and learning; children's play, learning and development and education and childcare.

You could complete a qualification before getting your first job, or you might decide to work as a playgroup assistant and study while you work.

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a playworker?

You don’t need a postgraduate degree for this type of role, but you might decide to study further and move into related education, research or therapy roles.

Examples of relevant taught and research postgraduate degrees include:

Childhood studies
Childhood and youth studies
Developmental disorders
Psychology
Education

What skills do you need to be a playworker?

A passion for working with children will be central to this role, along with emotional intelligence and sensitivity.

Hard skills usually include:

Child development
Child protection
First aid
IT
Safeguarding

Soft skills include:

Communication
Creativity
Enthusiasm
Patience
Sensitivity
Teamwork

Do you need work experience to be a playworker?

Work experience isn’t always needed but showing employers previous experience of working with children or families will be helpful. You could get this experience through voluntary work across a range of organisations such as local playgroups, schools or charities. You might also get experience during placements or shadowing during or between your studies.