One Education EPs are actively involved in research and regularly contribute to professional practice via peer-reviewed professional journals and conferences. Taking part in research ensures our EPs can explore new ideas and engage in critical reflection, whilst drawing on the latest evidence to inform practice, shape policy, and set strategy.
Educational Psychologists at One Education have published new research on the use of Theraplay® as an intervention for adoptive families.
Theraplay® focuses on developing relationships between adults and children, based upon attachment theory. Some studies suggest that Theraplay® is an effective intervention in work with children and families, but there is little research into its benefits for adoptive families.
Researchers gathered the views of adoptive families who attended a Theraplay® informed intervention, and the corresponding professionals involved in running these sessions, through interviews and focus groups.
Analysis reveals several benefits of the intervention for adoptive families, including the ability to connect with other adopters and establish long-lasting relationships, as well as having access to multidisciplinary professionals.
This research originated following the researchers’ initial review of existing research focusing on how Theraplay® has been used to support children and families across a variety of settings and with a number of different presenting needs. The review highlighted a diversity of methods and measures for the evaluation of Theraplay® alongside the need for further research with adoptive families.
The two research articles were co-authored by Lesley France, Educational Psychologist at One Education and Honorary Lecturer in Educational Psychology at University of Manchester, Sarah McIntosh, Principal Educational Psychologist at One Education, together with Kevin Woods, Professor of Educational and Child Psychology at University of Manchester.
This is an important area of research and one which is still within its infancy. Anecdotally, Theraplay® has had much positive feedback as an intervention for children and families, however the research base is sparse, particularly within the field of adoption. The delivery of Theraplay® informed groups by One Education Educational Psychologists are part of a core offer for adoptive families through our work with Adoption Counts. The findings from this research have helped to shape the delivery of these groups order to ensure the support given is reflective of what professionals and adoptive families need. It was a privilege to be able to gain the views directly from adoptive families as their voices should be central to shaping their support. It is hoped that these findings may lead to further research in this area.
Dr Lesley France
Read the full articles below:
Adoption & Fostering or access it here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03085759241245117
Early Child Development & Care or access it here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03004430.2023.2227775
