ABSTRACT
This chapter draws together practice guidance from discussions and focus groups with adoptive parents, social workers, foster carers, contact supervisors, and mental health clinicians across the UK in a project funded by the Tavistock Clinic Foundation. Ways of introducing the Watch Me Play! approach are discussed, together with suggestions for suitable toys and materials. An example of a leaflet for parents and caregivers is provided. I review some of the benefits and changes that have been reported by foster carers, parents, and social workers who have used the Watch Me Play! approach. The chapter also outlines the roles and tasks of a Watch Me Play! clinician and the contribution of observation-based approaches to professional networks and the provision of emotionally responsive caregiving. Integrating different aspects of a child’s life allows professionals to provide more containment for the child so that meetings of the team around the child can become therapeutic in themselves.
