Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision
SVQ 2 Playwork
Campus OL - Open Learning/Cross Campus
Qualification SCQF Level 6
Study mode Open learning
Start date
Sept 2026
Course enquiry form
Course overview
The SVQ 2 in Playwork is a qualification that the SSSC accepts for registration as a support worker.
It is designed as an introductory qualification that will confirm your skills and knowledge at this level. The course will cover key topics relevant to working with children and/or young people in a day care setting, with a focus on providing play opportunities.
It's a great way to achieve a qualification while working. It links knowledge to daily work practice, making it relevant and useful to your current job role.
The fee for this course is £936.
Contact katie.kent2@edinburghcollege.ac.uk for more information.
What you will learn
The award has 7 units: 5 mandatory and 2 optional.
Mandatory units
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of relationships with children, young people, and others in the playwork setting.
- Create playwork settings that support freely chosen, self-directed play
- Contribute to the health, safety and well-being of children and young people in the playwork setting
- Evaluate to improve your own practice and the work of your playwork team
- Identify safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people in the playwork setting
Optional units include
- Contribute to undertaking risk assessments in the playwork setting
- Provide food and drink in the playwork setting
- Prepare and facilitate specific play opportunities
- Contribute to supporting disabled children and young people in the playwork setting
- Contribute to playwork administration
- Support a child with additional support needs
- Contribute to the effectiveness of teams
Placement information
- Applicants are required to be working in a setting for children and/or young people.
- This can be a school, a nursery, an after-school club, or a holiday provision.
- Please give details of this in your personal statement.
How the course is assessed
- Students are allocated an assessor who works with them to plan opportunities to gather evidence to demonstrate that they meet the qualification criteria.
- This is done through workplace observations, writing reflective accounts of workplace situations, answering questions, and participating in discussions.
Number of days per week
- There is an optional online evening class once per month, and regular online and in-person support meetings with an assessor.
Entry requirements
- A good level of written and spoken English.
- A commitment to study.
- Evidence of study on a previous course, e.g., Get into Childcare, Skills for Work, preferred but not essential.
- Basic IT skills to use the e-portfolio, email and MS Teams.
- Applicants must be employed in a setting working with children and/or young people.
Please include full details of how you meet these entry requirements in your Personal Statement. Include the following -
- Where do you currently work? (e.g. name of nursery, school, out-of-school care, childminder, ASN setting)
- What is your job title or role?
- Why do you feel this SVQ level is right for you at this stage?
English Proficiency Requirements
To give our students the best opportunity to succeed in this course, applicants for whom English is an additional language require an English language certificate at IELTS Level 5 or equivalent. Alternatively, applicants for additional language programs will be required to undertake an English Language Assessment at the College. There will be a cost of £20 for this test unless you are in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Disability Benefit or Income Support or if you are an asylum seeker or refugee. English proficiency at IELTS Level 5 or equivalent is a course requirement. If you would like any more information on this, contact katie.kent2@edinburghcollege.ac.ukProgression and Articulation Routes
- SVQ 3 Playwork
- HNC Childhood Practice
- SVQ 3 Social Services Children and Young People
Career options
Support worker in a setting providing care for children and/or young people.
This can include -
- nurseries
- after school clubs
- working in schools as a pupil support assistant or additional support needs auxiliary
- holiday clubs
Study Options
| Campus | Study mode | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| OL - Open Learning/Cross Campus | Open learning | 02/09/26 |
