ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the history and past and present work of the Marlborough Family Day Unit—probably the first of its kind in the world. The reason for designing the Family Day Unit was inspired by the recognition that certain families seemed very expert at attracting increasing numbers of professionals while at the same time not making any effective use of the various medical, psychiatric, social, and educational resources offered. The confrontation with an impasse in a therapeutic hot-house can lead individuals and families to experiment with new behaviours or solutions. The focus on the professional context brought with it an increased interest in the world outside the therapeutic setting, such as the community and the family’s own home. Children usually have their own meeting, with one or two members of staff present; the meeting takes the form of playing games, watching a relevant film, or being part of a structured children’s group with access to play materials.
