Journal article 27 views
The role of play in social work education, training, and practice
Journal of Social Work Practice, Pages: 1 - 13
Swansea University Author:
Peter King
Full text not available from this repository: check for access using links below.
DOI (Published version): 10.1080/02650533.2026.2624794
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...
| Published in: | Journal of Social Work Practice |
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| ISSN: | 0265-0533 1465-3885 |
| Published: |
Informa UK Limited
2026
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| 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. |
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| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Start Page: |
1 |
| End Page: |
13 |

