Play Sufficiency Assessment
Matter E
Charges for play provision
The Local Authority should consider which play opportunities involve a charge and the extent to which the Local Authority takes these charges into account in assessing for sufficient play opportunities for children living in low income families as set out in the Statutory Guidance.
RAG status
Amber: Criteria partially met
Criteria
- The Local Authority keeps records of the number of children living in low income families
RAG status 2019
Green: Criteria fully met
RAG status 2022
Amber: Criteria partially met
Evidence to support strengths
- This information is held as part of the CSA.
Identified actions for Action Plan
- Use further information once available from the 2021 Census to plan the delivery of recreational activities for children in low-income families.
Criteria
- The Local Authority keeps records of the number of children living in areas of deprivation
RAG status 2019
Green: Criteria fully met
RAG status 2022
Amber: Criteria partially met
Evidence to support strengths
- This information is held as part of the CSA and for the purposes of confirming eligibility for Flying Start.
Identified actions for Action Plan
- Establish mechanisms for record no cost/low cost provision and premises for play
Criteria
- The Local Authority keeps records of the number of children living in rural areas
RAG status 2019
Green: Criteria fully met
RAG status 2022
Amber: Criteria partially met
Evidence to support strengths
- This information is held as part of the CSA and for the purposes of confirming eligibility for Flying Start.
Identified actions for Action Plan
Look into how subsidised transport may be able to be provided to increase the range of play available to children, particularly those in rural areas
Criteria
- The Local Authority keeps records of the number of disabled children and those with particular needs
RAG status 2019
Green: Criteria fully met
RAG status 2022
Amber: Criteria partially met
Evidence to support strengths
- This information is recorded as part of the CSA and for the purposes of confirming eligibility for Flying Start provision.
- This information is also held by schools and social services.
Criteria
- The Local Authority records the availability of no cost provision
RAG status 2019
Green: Criteria fully met
RAG status 2022
Red: Criteria not met
Evidence to support strengths
- Currently there are no low cost premises being used due to increased costs for utilities.
Shortfalls
- Lack of funding
Identified actions for Action Plan
- Allocate funding to enhance play provision across the county
Criteria
- The Local Authority records the provision of no cost / low cost premises used for play provision
RAG status 2019
Green: Criteria fully met
RAG status 2022
Red: Criteria not met
Evidence to support strengths
- Currently there are no low cost premises being used due to increased costs for utilities.
Shortfalls
- Lack of funding
Identified actions for Action Plan
- Allocate funding to enhance play provision across the county
Criteria
- The Local Authority records the provisions where grants or subsidies are available for play providers
RAG status 2019
Green: Criteria fully met
RAG status 2022
Green: Criteria fully met
Evidence to support strengths
- Audit and records of spend are kept on an annual basis. Impact reports are requested and a generic report is written.
- The SOPO also keeps records of the WG funding pertaining to play
- Sustainability Grant available to all registered play providers within the County and an annual award can be requested.
Criteria
- The Local Authority provides subsided transport for children travelling to play opportunities
RAG status 2019
Green: Criteria fully met
RAG status 2022
Amber: Criteria partially met
Evidence to support strengths
- Transport is funded through Play Works Holiday Assistance Scheme to support children’s access to play.
- The Summer of Fun and Winter of Wellbeing initiatives supported with transport costs in the short term.
Shortfalls
- Funding is limited.
Identified actions for Action Plan
- Allocate funding to enhance play provision across the county
Charge for play provision
How is the Local Authority ensuring that children have access to no or low-cost provision?
The LA holds records of low-cost and no cost provision, as well as supporting families to access funded entitlements for Early Years settings and Flying Start provision. The LA also keep records of all play providers who have been issued grant and records of what funding is available to them, what has been awarded and what has been utilised.
Have there been challenges?
Funding for transport is limited and public transport can be an issue in some areas as we are an extremely rural county. No dedicated play team in place within Pembrokeshire, we rely heavily on volunteer support.
How can these be overcome?
The LA should consider how it can provide long-term funding for subsidised transport to settings, especially those in rural areas or for groups of children with protected characteristics.