What do children really want? Are they really having enough fun? Do they have a work/life balance?

In a couple of weeks the government will publish its document ‘Children’s Plan for England’. This document is the result of an extensive consultation, which also involved children.

In it 80 per cent of children say they would prefer to play outside.

So if this is the case is government going to invest in facilities to enable this to happen? Children who are already recognised as deprived need an equal opportunity to access safe outside playing areas - so let’s hope that this document comes alive and we see improved access so that children really can learn to play as children!

It is readily acknowledged that play is ‘a serious business’ and should not be undervalued as to its role in developing young people – making decisions, working together, listening and sharing, being active and enjoying the sheer pleasure of moving freely. The very cement that will also lock young people into taking part in developing broader life skills alongside physical activity beyond childhood is laid down in play.

The plan will have cross department impact – education, health, employment, culture, sport and leisure. So now is the time to influence the fall out of the plan and this means parks, play, sport and leisure and others.

What would you like to see happen? What role would you like ISPAL to take? Let us be the glue that holds it altogether!