Play techniques as a social work intervention

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to explore what play techniques are used by social workers in their interventions with children. The research question for this study was: "Do play techniques facilitate social workers interventions with children?" One of the aims of this study was to raise awareness among social workers about play techniques as part of their intervention with children. which is relatively new in Malta. The social workers were the mam participants of the study. Their perceptions were gathered and analysed by using a qualitative research method. Data was collected through open-ended interviews. The main themes that emerged during the interviews were highlighted and analysed. Furthermore, findings were supported by literature. Results showed that although in Malta play techniques are not used very often, social workers do have an idea about what they constitute of and try and use. them as much as they can in their interventions. The main techniques used by the social workers are play, drawing and imagery. The need to have adequate rooms, toys and more time available was highly emphasized. Whilst on the other hand to be able to use play techniques one needs the right resources, have more information about the subject and be adequately trained. Findings from this study strongly highlight that play techniques do in fact facilitate social work interventions with children.