On Tuesday 8th June, staff from 4 different Sheffield play projects gathered at Pitsmoor Adventure Playground for training on Dynamic Risk Benefit Assessment.
We were joined by Simon Rix of Children’s Play Advisory Service who is a Playworker and adventure playground health and safety specialist with rich experience and knowledge to share.
In play settings we are always working to balance risks against benefits with the aim of giving children as much freedom as possible to explore the world and their place within it, while protecting them from harm. Where children play freely, following their impulses and instincts, written Risk Benefit Assessments are crucial and also can’t capture unforeseen conditions and circumstances that might come up. Playworkers rely on their instincts, memory, experience and research evidence to make in the moment dynamic risk benefit assessments while at work with playing children.
It was a real pleasure to share a room with passionate and caring staff teams and explore and celebrate the thoughtful observations, reflections and interventions that go into our work and help make these play spaces so special.
Massive thank you to Simon Rix for leading such a rich morning.