Direct Work with Children: Practical Techniques

What is Direct Work?

Direct work means purposeful, planned activities with children to build relationships, understand their experiences, gather their views, and support their wellbeing. It goes beyond simply talking to children—it's about finding ways to communicate that work for each child.

Good direct work puts children at the centre of practice and ensures their voice is heard in decisions about their lives.

Why Direct Work Matters

• Children have a right to be heard
• It helps you understand their experiences
• It builds the relationship between you and the child
• It supports the child's emotional wellbeing
• It informs better assessments and plans

Building Relationships

Getting Started

• Get down to the child's level physically
• Be curious and interested in them
• Follow their lead in play
• Be reliable—do what you say you will
• Give them your full attention

Creating Safety

• Let them know what to expect
• Be honest about your role
• Explain confidentiality in age-appropriate ways
• Allow them to set the pace

Age-Appropriate Approaches

Babies and Toddlers

• Observe interactions with carers
• Play alongside them
• Notice their responses and communications
• Observe attachment behaviours

Young Children (3-7)

• Use play and creative activities
• Drawing and making things
• Stories and puppets
• Keep it fun and playful

Middle Childhood (8-12)

• Structured activities work well
• Worksheets and tools
• Board games and activities
• More conversation becomes possible

Adolescents

• Respect their growing autonomy
• More direct conversation
• Text or digital communication may help
• Activity-based work (walking, cooking) can reduce intensity

Tools and Techniques

Drawing and Art

• Draw your family
• Draw your house
• Draw how you're feeling
• Collage and scrapbooks

Worksheets and Scales

• Feelings faces
• Safety scales (from 0-10)
• Three houses (worries, good things, dreams)
• All About Me sheets

Play

• Sand play
• Puppets and dolls
• Play dough
• Small world figures

Narrative Approaches

• Life story work
• Story stems
• Completing sentences

The Three Houses

A widely used tool developed for Signs of Safety:

• House of Worries: What worries or scares you?
• House of Good Things: What's good in your life?
• House of Dreams: What do you wish for?

Safety Mapping

For children exposed to harm:

• Who keeps you safe?
• What helps you feel safe?
• Where do you feel safest?
• What would you do if you felt unsafe?

Recording Direct Work

What to Record

• What activity you did
• What the child said (use their words)
• What the child did (behaviours, affect)
• Your observations and interpretation
• Keep any products (drawings, worksheets)

Being Evidence-Based

• Separate observation from interpretation
• Use direct quotes
• Describe what you saw
• Note the context

Common Challenges

Child Won't Engage

• Try different approaches
• Follow their interests
• Reduce pressure
• Be patient—it takes time

Not Enough Time

• Direct work doesn't have to be long sessions
• Build it into visits
• Short, regular contact is valuable

Conclusion

Direct work is essential social work practice, not an optional extra. It ensures children's voices are heard, builds relationships, and provides evidence for assessment and planning. With the right approach and techniques, you can communicate effectively with children of all ages—and that's what child-centred practice looks like.