The use of art techniques in social work assessment with children in residential care

Abstract

The write-up presents the aims, process, findings, analysis and conclusions of a study that was carried out in order to explore the use of art techniques in social work assessment with children in residential homes. The aims of the study are to find out how can art techniques help children in residential homes to express themselves better and to explore how such tools can be used in drawing a social work assessment. The method employed art assessment sessions and a semi-structured interview. Three boys living in the same residential home participated in two individual art assessment sessions to find out if art helps children in expressing themselves more effectively. After each session, the researcher filled-in children's behaviour assessment sheets and with the help of an art therapist analysed the drawings in relation to the children's personality and their behaviour during art sessions. Consequently an assessment of each child was drawn. An experienced social worker in the field being studied was identified to give one's opinion about the use of creative arts therapies with children living in residential care. Results indicated that art can be used as a creative and effective tool to combine with social work practice during the assessment stage. This shows that art techniques, if used cautiously can be integrated within the social work field.