What is Direct Work?

Purposeful, planned, and therapeutic engagement to support child well-being.

Direct work refers to activities where adults engage with children in a purposeful and therapeutic manner. It aims to understand a child’s needs and help them achieve positive outcomes.

• Life story work
• Social skills training
• Targeted risk assessment

The Goals of Direct Work

Understand Their World

Gain the child’s perspective to see their lived experiences through their eyes.

Build Solid Relationships

Establish the trust and rapport necessary for a child to feel safe opening up.

Facilitate Communication

Use play and art to help children express emotions they cannot articulate verbally.

Direct Work Resource Toolkit

Building Connection

Icebreakers

Games like “Two Truths and a Lie” or “Would You Rather” to ease into conversation.

Shared Activities

Colouring or building blocks to create a relaxed, non-threatening atmosphere.

Assessment Tools

SDQ

Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: A behavioral screening tool for ages 3󿾖16.

Boxall

Boxall Profile: An evidence-based tool for assessing emotional development in schools.

Feelings & Regulation

Helping children label emotions through visual aids and frameworks is the first step toward self-regulation.

Zones of Regulation

Categorises emotions into Blue, Green, Yellow, and Red zones to help children manage their internal states.

Targeted Interventions

Sand Tray Therapy

A non-verbal approach where children create scenes to externalise complex emotions.

TF-CBT

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for children processing significant trauma.

Creative Arts

Using music, drama, and dance for children who struggle with verbal communication.

Animal-Assisted

Reducing stress and improving social-emotional development through animal interaction.

Equipping professionals with the diverse tools needed for therapeutic engagement.

References

• Direct Work with Vulnerable Children: A Practical Guide for Social Work Professionals by Audrey Tait and Helen Wosu
• Creative Play Therapy with Children by Judith A. Rubin
• Helping Troubled Children Through Expressive Arts Therapy by Margot Sunderland
• Social Work Practice with Children and Families by Bob Lonne, Maria Harries, and Bridget Featherstone
• NSPCC Tools to Support Direct Work with Children
• The Children’s Society: Resources for Professionals Working with Children