1. To facilitate participants with the acquisition of knowledge, skill and competence to include play, and creativity, and support autonomous practice, within the boundaries of their current  professional role. 
2. To equip the graduate to function as a team member, bringing particular skills in the area of developmental and therapeutic play, including nature-based play, within an appropriate professional community of practice, typically in a structured setting or in an organisation.
3. To support the personal development of the student through their use of deliberately chosen experiential activities.
4. To provide access to high quality, formal education, training and assessment in the area of  developmental and therapeutic play and nature-based play.
5. To enhance employment and progression options for recipients of the award.

This programme is suitable for those who:

• Have a particular interest in the therapeutic powers of play, including nature-based play, and creative interventions, and wish to acquire skills to facilitate children adolescents, and/or adults to overcome negative influences and circumstances in their lives, and facilitate them in achieving their potential.
• Wish to further their own knowledge and understanding of what play is; how it supports children’s holistic development; and learn more about the influences of the environment on this development. 
• Wish to further their own knowledge and understanding of what nature-based play is; and how we can work both indoors and outdoors using this medium.
• Wish to attain a recognized award and enhance a professional career in working with people in a range of settings.
• Wish to further their own knowledge and understanding of play, including nature-based play, and creative interventions, and associated developmental, educational and therapeutic applications.
• Would like to upskill to enhance employment prospects and/or job satisfaction and promotion opportunities.

This award will be of interest to a range of healthcare, social care, and education professionals who wish to incorporate the use of play and creativity into their current professional practice with adults, adolescents or children. This includes teachers, therapists, social workers, childcare workers, social care workers and others whose professional life brings them into regular contact with children, adolescents, and  /or adults, including those considered to be vulnerable and at risk/in crisis.

To access this programme, learners should have reached the standards of knowledge, skills and competence associated with level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications. This may have been achieved through a formal qualification or through relevant life and work experiences. 

On completion of this programme, the learner will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding and awareness of interpersonal communication to include one to one and group dynamics.
2. Assist clients in developing their capacity for self-regulation and decision-making within the context of a safe, ethical relationship.
3. Use play and creative interventions to address the needs of individuals in special circumstances such as experiencing behavioural difficulties or stressful life events.
4. Identify own personal skills and competencies in utilizing play developmentally, educationally and therapeutically, in various settings, including natural spaces.
5. Plan, prepare, and deliver groupwork interventions to include a range of developmentally appropriate techniques suitable for indoor and outdoor play and nature-based provision.
6. Engage in inclusive practice with consideration given to issues of culture and diversity.
7. Demonstrate the use of appropriate terminology used in play-based programmes and interventions, including nature-based play.
8. Exercise substantial personal autonomy and responsibility.
9. Apply key concepts and principles of therapeutic play practice to design and implement a range of practical play interventions in indoor and outdoor settings
10. Appraise play theories and their therapeutic relevance in meeting the client’s developmental and wellbeing needs.
11. Demonstrate awareness of ethical and professional issues related to incorporating therapeutic play into own professional role.

Each learner is given access to the online platform with additional resources for this course over the duration of the course. This includes access to the material for each course, Online Library and Resources, and Academic Writing Support.

The Certificate in Therapeutic Play Practice is a 30 credit QQI Level 6 Specific Purpose Award (PG25579) comprised of two, 15 credit, minor awards:

• Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills (PG25614);
• Certificate in Nature-Based Therapeutic Play (PG25605). 

Fees are set for each individual course. A discount applies to those completing both courses to achieve the Certificate in Therapeutic Play Practice.

• Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate Course Fee is €700
• Nature-Based Therapeutic Play Certificate Fee is €700

The fee for completing both the Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate Course and the Nature-Based Therapeutic Play Certificate Course leading to the “Certificate in Therapeutic Play Practice” is €1,290.

Payment plans are available for both courses. The €110 discount is applied to the second course you complete.

Space and technology:

• A confidential space without interruptions or distractions
• A computer or other suitable device that can use Zoom (e.g. i pad, desktop, laptop), with built in, or external, microphone, speaker and camera.  have screen size that facilitate clear viewing of course material and participants, and engagement and interaction with peers, and utilising a split screen so as to concurrently view the virtual classroom and any related material that you may wish to open separately on your device.
• Stable internet connection (download speed of 1.5Mbps)
• A sound cancelling headset can be useful

Note: If you have difficulties with sound (microphone or volume) on computer, use of external microphone and/or speakers may work better than adding a second devise.

And creative materials that include: 

• A4 paper and a scissors
• Art material –  e.g. crayons, colouring pencils, markers
• Small toys and props

The trainer will advise participants of additional resources to have to hand for each session.