The ability to understand people’s thoughts, feelings and intentions are crucial to effective practice. Explore new Research in Practice resources that aim to enhance relationships with ourselves and others.
As humans, we are social and have developed a unique ability to make sense of our experiences and emotions. This is formed from early life events that shape our behaviour and relationships across our lives.
Reflecting on these experiences can support us to form and maintain effective connections with the adults and children we work with.
Using a mentalising approach in social care
The process of reading and interpreting others’ thoughts and feelings is mentalising. It’s something we do naturally, often without realising it and is integral to providing effective support.
A new Research in Practice briefing introduces mentalising theory and practical guidance. It is designed for professionals working with both adults and children to enhance communication, relationships, and emotional regulation.
Using a mentalising approach in social care: Frontline Briefing
Explore a briefing that introduces mentalising theory and contains practical guidance for professionals.
Using attachment theory in children’s social care
The premise of attachment theory is that as children grow, their development is influenced by their experiences, particularly with primary caregivers and other important people in their life.
Mentalisation is an important part of considering attachment. It refers to the caregiver’s capacity to reflect on a child’s behaviour in terms of the thoughts, feelings, and intentions that might lie behind it. In other words, a mentalising caregiver considers what the child might be thinking or feeling.
A new suite of Research in Practice resources discuss developments in attachment theory. The resources are designed for practitioners who work with children and their parents or carers.
Using attachment theory in children’s social care: Frontline Briefing
Explore a briefing, and accompanying glossary, for practitioners who work with children and their parents or carers. The briefing highlights key messages and findings that practitioners may find useful in their practice, discussing the developments in attachment theory and research.
Attachment theory for children’s practitioners
Watch three short films that discuss the key principles of attachment theory.
Using a mentalising approach in social care: Frontline Briefing (2025)
Mentalising helps practitioners understand their own and others’ thoughts, feelings, and intentions. It plays a vital role in building relationships and supporting effective social care practice. This briefing explores how mentalising develops, why it matters, and ways to strengthen it in ourselves and those we work with.
Using attachment theory in children’s social care: Frontline Briefing (2025)
Attachment theory is an important theory in supporting children and families, but has been misapplied at times. These resources provide an overview of the theory and how practitioners can use this to guide their work with families.
Attachment theory for children’s practitioners
Three videos explaining the fundamental principles of attachment theory for children and family practitioners.