The focus of attachment theory and research has shifted in recent years. As part of a research project we present a new approach.
I co-led the work on a new paper with Northumbria University social work educator Sarah Foster. We undertook the project after finding that social workers and allied children and families practitioners were often being introduced to a presentation of attachment theory as being about placing children into categories, and based on out of date ideas and studies.
In our view, this impression of attachment theory can lead to unhelpful practice. It has also caused some practitioners to turn away from attachment theory, without realising there are other aspects to it: aspects that have real practice value.
The article was developed in collaboration with an international group of social work educators, child protection practitioners, and contemporary attachment researchers.
We benefited from input from colleagues in the British Association of Social Workers and from the National Children’s Bureau. The proposals are far removed from use of attachment theory to label and pigeonhole children and are based on the latest syntheses of decades of research rather than isolated individual studies. As such, the article presents concepts and up to date research findings from attachment theory that are particularly relevant for social work with children and families.
The article draws attention to what the theory can tell us about children’s needs and important caregiver behaviour. It presents contemporary understandings of the value of attachment networks and the synergies that can be found in considering caregiving in conjunction with the broader social and economic context for families.
We also highlight how much misinformation on attachment theory is in circulation, and have included a supplement containing a carefully curated list of trusted resources, including many books and articles such as Cornerstones of Attachment Research and Developments in Attachment Research.
Our aim is that their article will support practitioners to ‘see the value of attachment theory for their practice and use the theory in helpful and appropriate ways.’
Research in Practice has also published a suite of resources and accompanying videos to support the use of attachment theory in children’s social care.
We hope that you will feel encouraged to take a look, whether you are an advocate of using attachment theory or an arch critic. My own work on attachment theory has shaped the way I care for my seriously unwell child. Reading the article may provide you with a new fresh view of attachment theory, or may provide useful reassurance regarding the ways you currently understand and use it.
Eight core concepts for attachment theory
Below we have outlined our eight core concepts for attachment theory:
Infants and children are predisposed to want to seek one or more of their familiar caregivers as a metaphorical ‘safe haven’ when they are hurt, anxious, distressed, or alarmed. The concept highlights that caregivers are not interchangeable once children have well-established relationships with them.
These relationships should be supported and maintained whenever possible. Building expectations about a new caregiver as a potential safe haven requires time and substantial interaction and continuity of care
Trust in a caregiver’s availability and responsiveness allows the child to treat that caregiver as a safe haven and as a secure base for exploration. When the environment is calm, the child can venture out this environment to explore and learn.
The opposite is also true: when children are concerned about the availability of their caregiver or caregivers in times of need, this will hinder exploration and learning.
Multiple relationships that serve as safe haven or secure base can be beneficial, and additional relationships can be developed at any age.
The idea that attachment theory values only the child’s relationship with their mother is entirely outdated. Social workers should understand the value of supporting a child’s access to multiple sources of safe haven and security availability, and considering a broader network in assessments.
Children need stability to help their development, and repeated changes of foster caregivers negatively affect children’s mental health and their expectations about safe haven availability and responsiveness.
When reunification with birth family is pursued, consideration should be given to maintaining links with other existing safe haven and security relationships.
Children are more likely to trust in the availability and responsiveness of a caregiver as a safe haven and secure base if the caregiver can identify and respond to the child’s intentions and needs.
This is the capacity to consider thoughts and feelings in making sense of one’s own and other’s behaviour and experiences. The concept of mentalising also draws attention to the importance of a caregiver’s degree of insight into themselves and their reactions to their child.
This doesn’t necessarily mean abusive behaviour (but it’s a possibility). Alarming behaviour might include, for instance, a caregiver being unavailable due to being lost in traumatic memories. Interventions aimed at improving sensitivity and reducing alarming behaviour have proved effective.
These are associated with less sensitive caregiving, greater frequency in alarming behaviour, and reduced capacity for mentalising. These highlight urgency for social workers to address external circumstances.
If we can support families to understand and develop these aspects of their caregiving, attachment theory has a space to support quality social care interventions.
Attachment theory in practice
Join a workshop that will provide practitioners with current evidence on attachment theory in social care practice. It will explore key principles for practice, supporting practical application and considerations.
Using attachment theory in children’s social care
Explore a new suite of Research in Practice resources that discuss developments in attachment theory. The resources are designed for practitioners who work with children and their parents or carers.
An accompanying series of videos discuss the fundamental principles of attachment theory.
Attachment theory for children’s practitioners
Three videos explaining the fundamental principles of attachment theory for children and family practitioners.
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 in practice: What it is, what it isn’t, and why it still matters
Explore the application of contemporary attachment theory for children's practitioners.