Playschemes in Rochdale under threat by 'meddling OFSTED'

Rochdale's MP, Paul Rowen has reacted with concern after the Government Department OFSTED put many of Rochdale's Summer Playschemes under threat. OFSTED are demanding that schemes must have a manager and a deputy with 'appropriate' NVQ Level 3 qualifications. One such playscheme under threat is Sparth Play Scheme in Rochdale, which has been going for over 20 years. The successful playscheme has been judged as 'inadequate' by OFSTED, despite 2 of the staff having degrees in community education and the other in Social Work. As a result of the new OFSTED rule, Sparth will get some paid level 3 help but the future is not certain. This may lead to a reduction in the time playschemes are allowed to open.

Paul Rowen MP said, "Whilst I appreciate that the right people have to be in place to run these schemes, the current situation is completely ridiculous and I have written to Rt. Hon. Beverley Hughes, the Minister of Children, Young People and Families asking for answers as I feel that OFSTED have been too rigid. The local organisation in charge of Playschemes - RADPAC have done an excellent job in improving training and skill levels for volunteers. OFSTED do not appear to want to compromise with this ruling, I only hope that we don't come to situation where parents lose this valuable resource because of the meddling OFSTED Department. At the end of the day, most playschemes only run for a limited period so we need to be more flexible and empower volunteers - at the moment the opposite is happening"

Another Playscheme that has had to reduce their service is Norden Playscheme, who are based at Norden Community Primary School. The new Regulations mean that they have been forced to deregister from OFSTED. This means that they cannot provide the service for 2 hours or more a day. From this summer they can only provide this service for 1 hour and 59 minutes a day, a reduction of over an hour.

Paul Rowen MP said, "This is a disgrace, over 250 children in Norden alone will be affected by this new bureaucracy, I am aware that only 2 playschemes are now registered with OFSTED in the whole of Rochdale, the rest are being left high and dry. I wonder what penalties that will lie ahead for unregistered Playschemes that go over 1 hour and 59 minutes it's madness. I know that a lot of volunteers will be shocked by these new rules and regulations. Many of them have been telling me that they feel undervalued and they are shocked that years of experience count for nothing. I can assure them that I will be fighting their corner and intend to write an Early Day Motion in Parliament and ask MP's from all other parties their opinion on this issue that I am sure will affect similar schemes across the country."

Paul is asking any groups affected to write to him at: 142a, Drake Street, Rochdale, O12 1PS. He will then meet with them to take on board their complaints.