Playlink Issues

This is the section where we keep a range of written materials which may be of interest including: published articles, papers and open letters.

• Common Sense, Common Safety »

  The submission to Lord Young’s review ‘Health and Safety and the Compensation Culture’ by the authors of ‘Managing Risk in Play Provision: implementation guide’ – Professor David Ball, Tim Gill, Bernard Spiegal – is reproduced here’.

  Posted on Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 in General
• Oh, I thought we agreed »

  A paper prompted by Scottish National Heritage’s recent ‘Sharing Good Practice, School Grounds for Nature, Health, Learning, Play and Social Development’ conference. Points raised have wider application.

  Posted on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 in General
• Common Sense, Common Safety »

  Lord Young of Grantham’s report to the Prime Minister – Common Sense, Common Safety – has just been published. It contains important recommendations across the board in respect of health and safety practice.

  Posted on Friday, November 5th, 2010 in Articles
• There are Paedos in the bushes. Eleanor Image goes in search in Tower Hamlets. »

  Paedophiles in bushes: a true story by Eleanor Image Play Development Worker at Play Association Tower Hamlets (PATH)
  This is a story about a myth.
  What’s a myth? The thesaurus on my computer lists myth under two headings: legend; falsehood.
  Synonyms for ‘legends’ include: fables, fairy stories and sagas.
  Synonyms for ‘falsehoods’ include: fiction, illusion, invention, [...]

  Posted on Friday, July 16th, 2010 in Articles
• Despatches from the frontline: consultation »

  One can hardly stand up without bumping one’s head against publications enjoining the virtues of consultation…

  Posted on Thursday, July 15th, 2010 in Articles
• Encounters with reality – creating a shared, playable public realm »

  An interview with Liz Kessler, former Urban Designer with EC1 New Deal for Communities (NDC).

  Posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009 in General
• Risk-benefit Assessment Form »

  Risk-benefit Assessment Form: Draft - 6 December 2009
  ‘Risk-benefit assessment is a suitable and sufficient risk assessment that brings together an analysis of both risk and benefits’
  ‘There is no legal requirement to eliminate or minimise risk, even where children are concerned.’
  Managing Risk in Play Provision: implementation guide
  Preamble
  The form, with its introductory notes below, aim to assist [...]

  Posted on Friday, December 11th, 2009 in General
• Slow Build for Playscapes by Grant Lambie »

  Slow design gives the best playscapes.

  Posted on Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 in General
• Experts accuse play manufacturers’ body of issuing misleading statements »

  A group of leading health and safety, design and play experts accuse the Association of Play Industries (API) of issuing misleading, erroneous and confusing messages on playground safety.

  Posted on Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 in Places for Play
• Green Places magazine article by Bernard Spiegal: Don’t panic! »

  Common sense can and must inform judgements about what constitutes acceptable risk levels in play.

  Posted on Thursday, May 7th, 2009 in Articles, Places for Play