As Safe As Necessary: Supporting Children's Development Through Risky Play

Children learn best when they are given opportunities to challenge themselves, test their abilities and experience manageable levels of risk. Yet many practitioners face uncertainty about how to balance children's right to play with their responsibility to keep children safe.

This practical and engaging online course explores the value of risky play and introduces a balanced benefit-risk approach that supports children's development while promoting safe, thoughtful practice.

Drawing on current Scottish guidance, national policy and international research, you'll develop the confidence to recognise the benefits of risky play, make informed professional judgements and create environments where children can develop resilience, independence and lifelong skills.

Through discussion, real-life examples and practical activities, you'll explore how to move beyond risk avoidance towards enabling rich play experiences that support children's wellbeing and development.

🎯 By the end of this course you will be able to:

✅ Understand what risky play is and why it is essential for healthy child development.

🌳 Explore the physical, social, emotional and cognitive benefits of risky play.

⚖️ Understand the principles of a benefit-risk approach to play.

🧭 Apply benefit-risk thinking to everyday play opportunities and environments.

💬 Develop confidence in making balanced professional judgements about risk.

📚 Explore Scottish guidance, national frameworks and best practice that support risky play.

🚧 Identify common barriers to providing risky play opportunities and develop practical strategies to overcome them.

🌱 Reflect on how to embed a positive approach to risk within your own setting.

👥 Who is this course for?

🍃 Early learning and childcare practitioners

🏡 Childminders

🎈 Out of school care and playwork staff

🏫 Primary school staff

🤝 Additional support for learning practitioners

🌍 Community learning and development practitioners

💚 Third sector organisations

🌟 Anyone with an interest in supporting children's right to play

💻 Course format

💻 Live online training

💬 Interactive discussions and practical activities

🤔 Opportunities to reflect on your own practice

📥 Digital resources to support implementation in your setting

🌟 Why join this course?

Whether you're just beginning to explore risky play or looking to strengthen existing practice, this course will give you the knowledge, confidence and practical tools to create richer play experiences where children can safely challenge themselves, build resilience and thrive.

Because children don't need a world without risk—they need caring adults with the confidence to help them navigate it.

We are pleased to off STUDENT DISCOUNT of 20% on all training courses. To access your discount code, please email prior to booking:

alexwallis@playscotland.org