Industry Association: Kidsafe Playground Advisory Unit
Background
Child safety is no accident in the playground.
Child safety is paramount when designing and maintaining a playground or garden for children. Where can you get specialist advice when embarking on such a project? The Kidsafe Playground Advisory Units can offer some valuable words of advice.
Designing playspaces for children should be an exciting and rewarding project, yet it is often fraught with complexities and difficulties. Australian Standards for playgrounds do exist and are a good reference for designers, manufacturers, owners and operators of children's playgrounds. However, it takes experience, specialised knowledge and consultation with others to develop the ability to design intriguing and wonderful places for children to play whilst keeping safety in mind. Following on from the initial design and construction, playgrounds do not look after themselves; regular inspection and maintenance is required for the upkeep, compliance and longevity of the asset. The Kidsafe Playground Advisory Units are a valuable resource which can assist with these specifications, to ensure safety as well as assisting in providing an inspirational and educational space.
Association Profile
Kidsafe is an independent, non-profit, charitable organisation dedicated to preventing unintentional death and injury to children. Kidsafe advocates on child safety issues, undertakes public awareness campaigns and provides information, advice and guidance to parents and carers, children’s services, schools, government and non-government agencies, community organisations, industry and individuals.
The Kidsafe vision "is a safer world for kids" by helping to minimise risks that can lead to injury in children aged less than 15 years. This involves Kidsafe in a range of activities which include advocacy, education and research. Kidsafe is a national organisation with federated offices in each state and territory.
The Kidsafe Playground Advisory Units are a leading independent agency that delivers advice regarding the design and safety of playgrounds. The Kidsafe Playground Advisory Units consult regularly with all sectors in the playground industry which includes but is not limited to: children’s services, schools, local government, designers, manufacturers, developers, and commercial industries.
Services
A number of services are offered by Kidsafe to assist with the development and maintenance of playgrounds such as:
• Unlimited free telephone advice
• Australian Playground Standards and Inspections workshops
• Playground Inspection Services
• Review of plans in accordance to the Australian Standards
• Representation at community consultation panels
• Development of resources and publications
• Membership on panels for grant programs
• Assistance with the development of Playground Management Strategies
• Development of fact sheets
• Review of planting schedules
• Advice regarding design, play flow and play value of playspaces
NB: Not all of these services are available at each Kidsafe Playground Advisory Unit.
As a result of consultation and advocacy, Kidsafe has been successful in contributing to the reduction of childhood injury in the playground. An enormous amount of advice and education is available at Kidsafe in relation to playground design, maintenance, obligations, inspections, outdoor risk management, compliance, suitable plants and equipment selection. Our inspectors are UTS Level 2 Operational Inspectors and UTS Level 3 Comprehensive Inspectors.
Further Contact & Information
Visit www.kidsafe.com.au or contact the Playground Advisory Unit at your
local office:
Kidsafe NSW – Kidsafe House
Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145
Ph: 02 9845 0890
Email: kidsafe@chw.edu.au
Web: www.kidsafensw.org
Kidsafe SA – Women and Children’s Hospital
72 King William Rd, North Adelaide SA 5006
Ph: 08 8161 6318
Email: sa@kidsafe.org.au
Web: www.kidsafesa.com.au
Kidsafe WA – Godfrey House
Princess Margaret Hospital
Thomas St, Subiaco WA 6008
Ph: 08 9340 8041
Email: kidsafe@kidsafewa.com.au
Web: www.kidsafewa.com.au
