Explore Play Wales
In our new State of Play 2025 report, we present an analysis of the local authority Play Sufficiency Assessments (PSAs) and Play Action Plans submitted to the Welsh Government in June 2025. As well as reviewing all 22 Play Sufficiency Assessments and Action Plans, this analysis has been supplemented by discussions, workshop support and engagement with play sufficiency lead officers across most local authorities.
State of Play 2025 provides an overview of:
- the policy background
- key messages and the main themes emerging from the 2025 Play Sufficiency Assessments
- recommendations for the future.
The report includes specific information on particular aspects of the Play Sufficiency Assessments:
- links to the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan
- inclusion of disabled children and children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
- play in education and schools
- neighbourhood planning.
State of Play 2025 is the tenth national review Play Wales has undertaken. It builds on the State of Play report commissioned by the Welsh Government in 2000, subsequently updated by Play Wales in 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2011. Since the commencement of the Play Sufficiency Duty, Play Wales has reviewed the Play Sufficiency Assessments submitted in 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022. We have also reviewed various Progress Reports in interim years.
Launching the latest report, Play Wales says:
‘We value the extensive play sufficiency work undertaken by local authorities in Wales. Our analysis of the Play Sufficiency Assessments and associated documents indicates that the Play Sufficiency Duty continues to act as a national driver for the planning of play provision locally.
The 2025 review indicates that for many areas, there is evidence of the benefits of cross department working to contribute towards securing play sufficiency. Despite the challenges of recent years, all Play Sufficiency Assessments demonstrate a commitment to delivering positive change for children and their access to opportunities to play.’