Policy

Commission calls for new National Play Strategy for England to reclaim childhood

The Raising the Nation Play Commission has today (11 June – the International Day of Play) published the Everything to Play For: A Plan to Ensure Every Child in England Can Play report.

The report looks into the critical role of play in the wellbeing and development of children and is calling for a cross-departmental National Play Strategy for England.

One of the recommendations in the report is to embed play in healthcare settings and recognise and use it as a tool to improve public health outcomes. It is calling on the Department of Health and Social Care to recognise the importance of play in its ten year health plan and establish a national ‘play-on-prescription’ pilot.

We welcome this report and especially endorse the recommendations for a National Play Strategy for England and for play to be embedded within children’s healthcare. All children need to play but when they’re in hospital or undergoing treatment, play becomes even more important. Evidence shows play takes the scare out of healthcare.”

Adrian Voce, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Starlight

Starlight and NHS England recently launched the NHS Play Well toolkit comprising guidelines for commissioners, recommended standards and a quality checklist for health play services.

Adrian added: “Starlight has campaigned for healthcare providers to make health services kinder and gentler to children by more fully integrating play into paediatric care. Today’s report makes clear that government policy is now essential to make the Play Well guidelines a reality.”