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Journal article 27 views

The role of play in social work education, training, and practice

Peter King Orcid Logo

Journal of Social Work Practice, Pages: 1 - 13

Swansea University Author: Peter King Orcid Logo

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Abstract

This study explored the role of play within social work education,training, and practice. Thirty-nine social workers, ranging fromcurrent students to those with over five years of experience, participatedin an anonymous online survey. The results found that over90% of participants have or did not ha...

Full description

Published in: Journal of Social Work Practice
ISSN: 0265-0533 1465-3885
Published: Informa UK Limited 2026
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71441
Abstract: This study explored the role of play within social work education,training, and practice. Thirty-nine social workers, ranging fromcurrent students to those with over five years of experience, participatedin an anonymous online survey. The results found that over90% of participants have or did not have any play-specific educationor training although there was an overwhelming consensusthat it was needed. A thematic analysis found that the benefits ofplay within social work practice included building relationships,communicating with children, reducing the power imbalance, andhaving a therapeutic role. The barriers to using play in professionalpractice related to the perceived professional role of social workers,time, resources, and the lack of training. This study provides one ofthe first research studies identifying from a social worker’s perspectivethe need for up-to-date play theory to support education andtraining and applied to professional practice.
College: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Start Page: 1
End Page: 13