Play England has published new guidance as part of its efforts to promote children's play in local communities.

The association's Embedding The Play Strategy publication highlights the benefits of improving and developing play space can have for communities.

The guidance offers a recommended process for local authorities and their partners to work together across a range of services, to plan for play provision and child-friendly space.

The proposed process follows the planning and commissioning model recommended to Children's Trusts to ensure an integrated approach to improving outcomes for children.

The guidance will be open for consultation until the end of October and Play England is encouraging responses from directors of children’s services and those working in play sector, as well as members of wider strategic partnerships such as planning, health, leisure and landscape architects.

Play England will present the guidance and the consultation responses to government for consideration.

Adrian Voce, director of Play England, said: "The national Play Strategy is about developing public space that is safer and more accessible to children, as well as ensuring that they have good places to play.

"The recent government investment has stimulated much activity in this area, which needs to be sustained over the years to come. It is even more important in times of economic hardship to ensure that all children grow up in environments where they can thrive.

"This guidance outlines the important steps for local authorities and their partners to embed this aim within their policy and planning frameworks."