ABSTRACT
There is a growing interest in the therapeutic use of play in family work. Play techniques are used by a number of services which work to repair damaged relationships in families and to prevent family breakdown. Family work which uses play takes place in two main settings. Work with children under five and their families is usually based in the community, in organizations such as family centres. Pre-school centres are increasingly involving parents and moving to family work, based on the recognition that parents whose own needs have not been met cannot offer adequate nurturing to their children. Attachment theory and related research provide a way of understanding what is happening between parent and child, as well as suggesting how help can be given to repair damaged and damaging relationships. Work with families with older children is most likely in child guidance and child psychiatric units, and is often based on a family systems approach to understanding and intervening in a family, and uses family therapy techniques, some of which may involve play.
