Play Sufficiency Assessment

Matter A

Matter A: Population

The Play Sufficiency Assessment should provide an overview of population and demographic data used locally to plan for play provision. Information should also be included regarding:

• Ages of children
• First language Welsh speaking children
• Cultural factors (such as other language)
• Gypsy Traveller children
• Disabled children

What has changed in terms of population and demographic trends since Play Sufficiency Assessment 2019?

Ages of children:

• Children aged 0-4: 5,719
• Children aged 5-15: 15,644
• Children aged 16-24: 11,265

The age group with the highest number of children is children aged 12, with 1,543 12-year-olds resident in Pembrokeshire as of 2020 mid-year population estimates.

Falling population trends

The live birth rate has remained flat in Pembrokeshire from 1,040 in 2018 to 1,052 in 2019, and 1,025 in 2020. In addition, the number of children aged 0-18 is expected to decline between 2023-2026 from 25,263 to 24,832. These indicators could suggest that demand for play provision may decline slightly in Pembrokeshire in the coming years.

Uneven population distribution

Some Upper Layer Super Output Areas (USOAs), composed of Pembrokeshire’s 60 wards, are larger than others in terms of the child population; i.e. Pembrokeshire U002 is larger than Pembrokeshire U001

Economic disparity between areas

some areas have a far higher level of unemployment and children in all out-of-work claimant households than others do. For example, in 2017 Pembrokeshire U002 recorded as many as 1,780 0-18 year olds in its region who were living in all out-of-work claimant households, whereas Pembrokeshire U001 recorded only 660

Migration trends

both the inflow and outflow level of international migration has remained steady in Pembrokeshire between 2013-2020, whilst the same is evident in the inflow level of internal migration during the same period. The only migration trend that has decreased is the outflow of internal migration, which has fallen from 3,629 to 2,859 between 2013-2020. Overall, these trends could suggest that demand for play provision for CYP may increase in the short-term as a result of migration

Number of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) pupils

Pembrokeshire was found to have a higher number of pupils with a statement of Special Educational Needs, than the neighboring county of Ceredigion, but lower than Carmarthenshire. Overall, 2.24% of Pembrokeshire pupils have statement of ALN.

Welsh language

Approximately 32% of people aged 3 years and over in Pembrokeshire describe themselves as being able to speak Welsh. The majority of children are taught Welsh as a second language.  

How has/will the Local Authority use its population data to plan for sufficient play opportunities locally?

The local authority will use the data above, as well as the updated 2021 Census data when available, to ensure that there are processes in place so that the play needs of all demographics are being met sufficiently. As Pembrokeshire has several isolated, rural communities, the local authority will need to ensure it is reaching all areas.

Have there been challenges?

Up-to-date population data is not always available and therefore the local authority cannot always plan as effectively as possible. Due to the pandemic, much of the data used has not been updated since 2019 or 2020. Data sources including (but not limited to) the census and subsequent mid-year population estimates, PLASC database, Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation, Open Space Assessments and information on services held by FIS could be combined to create community profiles, which could then help to guide interventions in support of children’s play. However, this is not currently the case. Furthermore, none of these existing datasets provides an indication of the sufficiency of children’s opportunities for play beyond the accessibility of designated public open spaces and the availability of childcare services.

How can these be overcome?

Data produced from the CYP and parent surveys could be added to other existing demographic, public open space and service provision data to create community profiles that provide an indication of the sufficiency of children’s opportunities for play, which would require full ward coverage in completion of the surveys. Postcode data was collected during consultation and can be used by the play team to identify areas where engagement in the satisfaction survey is lowest, and these areas targeted.

Action

Use 2021 Census data once available to identify areas where play opportunities need to be increased or improved.

Action

Conduct a follow up CYP survey in 2025, which ensures coverage of schools and children across the full county, to establish any change in reported levels of sufficiency and to identify areas for further research. To ensure high response rates, schools should be further incentivised to participate.

Action

Review the findings of the PSA, including ward-level data, alongside other existing demographic, public open space and service provision data to create community profiles that provide an indication of the sufficiency of children’s opportunities for play.

RAG Status for Matter A

Amber: Criteria partially met