"Playworker" is the name used in the United Kingdom and elsewhere for professionals trained to support play with children in adventure playgrounds and other settings. They do not lead the children in play but encourage and support it. They also do risk assessments to give children maximum freedom in their play within bounds of safety.

The Alliance is working with Penny Wilson, an experienced playworker from London; Roger Hart, a professor in the Department of Environmental Psychology at the City University of New York and a strong advocate for playwork; the Child Development Institute at Sarah Lawrence College; and others to introduce playwork in parks, zoos, children’s museums, and other venues. Workshops are being held across the country as a first step in the creation of a professional playwork course in the U.S.  More information about past events can be found in the Restoring Play Archive.

See resources on play for organizations and leading individuals in the field of play and playwork.

Playwork and Play 

See our new fact sheet on playwork, play, and adventure playgrounds.