Evidence submission: LUHC Inquiry - Children, young people and the built environment
In Spring 2023, along with other wider-sector partners, Play England submitted a briefing to Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Commons Select Committee setting out the need for a parliamentary inquiry into children, young people and the built environment.
This subject has never before been the focus of a select committee and has never been more needed. Therefore, it was a hugely significant step forward for children when an Inquiry was announced in November 2023 to look at how better planning and building and urban design in England could enhance the health and well-being of children and young people.
Our submission is in response to the Terms of Reference of the LUHC Committee Inquiry and provides the context and Government policy ‘ask’ from Play England (this is additional to the joint statement submitted by Playing Out and Tim Gill, of which Play England is a co-signatory)
The Government policy ‘ask’
(a fundamental part of) The answer lies in play sufficiency, as promoted by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and legislated for by both the Welsh and Scottish Governments.
Play sufficiency is about making a high-level commitment to ensure all children have access to enough time, space, and permission to play throughout all aspects of their lives. Paying attention to, protecting, and improving opportunities for play at home, at school and throughout the public realm.
This includes the strategic priorities identified through research, the organisational systems developed, examples of the actions taken and the subsequent increase in children’s satisfaction with their opportunities for play.
Play Sufficiency legislation for England would establish statutory guidance for Local Authorities (and others) to follow, to comply with a duty to assess for and secure sufficient play and recreation opportunities and to conduct regular play sufficiency reports. (a recent example is Leeds City Council)
Legislation should cover (but not be limited to) the following three key areas;
Spaces and places (spaces and places for play and recreation)
Workforce (qualifications, registration, and regulation)
Provision (high-quality, inclusive play services)
Leadership is desperately needed. The government, local authorities and civil society can together make sure that children, young people and families – as well as wider society benefit from better play and recreation opportunities.
Download a pdf of our full evidence submission, which includes the context, the ask, why and how: LUHC Committee Inquiry CYP and the built environment - Submission