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

This study explored the role of play within social work education, training, and practice. Thirty-nine social workers, ranging from current students to those with over five years of experience, participated in an anonymous online survey. The results found that over 90% of participants have or did not have any play-specific education or training although there was an overwhelming consensus that it was needed. A thematic analysis found that the benefits of play within social work practice included building relationships, communicating with children, reducing the power imbalance, and having a therapeutic role. The barriers to using play in professional practice related to the perceived professional role of social workers, time, resources, and the lack of training. This study provides one of the first research studies identifying from a social worker’s perspective the need for up-to-date play theory to support education and training and applied to professional practice.