Australian Playwork Forum 

What is a forum?

A “forum’ is a gathering or assembly for open discussion and sharing of ideas for public interest,  A forums is generally seen as a place where experts and other interfere people come together to share information, ideas and opinions on specific topics with the goal of reaching consensus or generating new ideas”

1. Purpose:
The Play Australia Playwork Forum aims to

• Serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, advocacy, and the promotion of best practices in playwork.
• support and enhance the professional development of playworkers across Australia.

2. Objectives:
- To provide a collaborative space for playworkers to share experiences, challenges, and solutions.
- To promote the value and importance of playwork in child development and community well-being.
- To facilitate access to resources, training, and professional development opportunities.
- To support  Play Australia advocacy advocate for policies and practices that support playwork and playworkers.

3. Membership:
To be eligible for membership in the Forum, Members must meet the following criteria;:

Membership with Play Australia,  Applicants must be current members of Play Australia, demonstrating a commitment to the advancement and promotion of play within the community.

Support for UK Playwork Principles: Members  must actively support and advocate for a methodology that aligns with the UK Playwork Principles. This includes a commitment to fostering environments that prioritize the play needs and rights of children, as outlined in the established principles.

Voluntary Participation: Members are not reimbursed by Play Australia  for their time or travel ( if undertaken). Members may be reimbursed by their employer is that is the decision of their employer.

Have a current engagement in Playwork service delivery or support.  Apply by Expression of Interest  to join the Forum .

Be Ethical and Collaborative;  Participants in this forum are expected to engage in discussions and activities that align with the forum's purpose of open knowledge sharing and community building.  The use of this forum for personal commercial gain or to promote individual business interests is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, advertising products or services, soliciting business, or engaging marketing of services. Participants are encouraged to focus on contributing constructively to the community and supporting the collective goals of the forum.

4. Governance:

The forum will be governed by the Board of Play Australia and will be subject to terms and consideration in the Play Australia constitution for sub-committees.

The Board of Play Australia will appoint 2 co-chairs of the Forum, one of whom will be a member of the Play Australia Board with  relevant expertise and the 2^nd of which will be a general member, active in playwork and Play Australia activities. In the first instance, the co-chair will be selected by an EOI process based on a desired skill set and appointed for a 12 month term\.

The role of Co-Chairs  will be to report back to the CEO and Board on a regular basis  and alert the CEO to any issues requiring follow up and action, set the agenda, chair ,meetings, and ensure all voices are heard and valued.

5. Structure

The Forum will consist of;

Forum Co-chairs  (2) who will undertake the facilitation and management of the forum

General Forum members who attend quarterly meetings to discuss items on the agenda.  Additional Working groups and interest groups may be formed within the forum to capitalise on the skills and interests of the members and be chaired by a member of the Expert Reference group who feed back to the Chairs and the Expert Reference group. 

Forum Reference Groups (maximum of 8 people) drawn from the forum membership, the forum will provide opportunities for specific working groups to be formed to look at specific issues relevant to playwork practice in Australia and assist in development of position statements and advocacy that will be presented back to the forum members for approval before formal endorsement by Play Australia.

5. Meetings:

Meeting  of the Forum will be held at least quarterly

The Expert reference Group should meet at a least every 8 weeks to consider and reflect on policy and agenda for the Forum

Meetings will be conducted virtually to accommodate members from different regions.

Agendas and minutes/meeting summary for the forum will be circulated to all members in advance via use of a central email address playwork@playaustralia.org.au

6. Activities of the Forum:
Discuss topics relevant to playwork and identify opportunities for development of case notes and position papers

Provide expert advice to Play Australia in the development t of submissions and advocacy responses

Identify and support advocacy opportunities

Promote the Playwork Principles

Participate in the development of “communities of practice “ across Australia
 

7. Communication:
- All media communication must be approved by the Chairs of the Forum and the CEO of Play Australia.

Maintain a digital platform for communication among members ( currently Facebook)

A page on the Play Australia website will describe the work of the forum

Regular newsletters and updates will be provided to keep members informed of activities and opportunities.

8. Evaluation:

The forum’s activities and impact will be reviewed annually to ensure alignment with its objectives and the strategic direction of Play Australia. Feedback from members will be sought to continuously improve the forum’s offerings and operations.

9. Funding:

The forum may seek funding for projects in consultation with the Board and CEO of Play Australia. Financial management will be undertaken by Play Australia Accountants reported annually to members.
 

10. Amendments:
These terms of reference may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the fourm and recommended for approval by the Board of Play Australia