Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical framework for social workers in children’s homes that may be used for play techniques during social casework intervention with a children’s home child. The influence that the placement in a children’s home has on the child, creates the context for this study. Specific behaviour- and emotional problems that exist within the child were identified and play techniques for the solving of these problems was described. The research was done based on an extensive literature study, which focused on the role and function of a children’s home, the needs, behaviour- and emotional problems of the children’s home child and the usage of a practice framework and play techniques by social workers. A combined qualitative and quantitative research method and an explorative and describing research design have been used in this study, since this combination resulted in reaching the goal of the study. The empirical research investigated the usage of play techniques by social workers during social casework intervention with a children’s home child. The overall sample consisted of the 23 children’s homes in the Cape Metropole where currently 31 social workers are employed. Semistructured questionnaires were used as an interview instrument with an availability test sample consisting of 18 social workers. In light of the findings derived from the literature study and empirical research, appropriate conclusions and related recommendations were made. The main conclusion of the study is that the participants use play techniques randomly and not in conjunction with a practice framework. The main recommendation of this study is that social workers should use play techniques during social casework intervention, based on a specific practice framework in order to assure responsiveness. Continuous education in this regard is the responsibility of each social worker working in a children’s home.