Attachment theory in social work: Why a new approach is necessary

We’re proud that our research paper on a new approach to attachment theory was published last month. You can read it here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02615479.2025.2531859

We undertook this work 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being introduced to a presentation of attachment theory as being about placing children into categories, and based on out-of-date ideas and studies.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 the 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 that are free to access (open access).

Read 'Cornerstones of Attachment Research': https://global.oup.com/academic/product/cornerstones-of-attachment-research-9780198842064

Read 'Developments in Attachment Research': https://global.oup.com/academic/product/developments-in-attachment-research-9780192882158

Our aim is that this article will support practitioners to “see the value of attachment theory for their practice and use the theory in helpful and appropriate ways.” 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.

Read it here: https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/attachment-research-gave-some-indication-where-we-could-start-trying-parent-our

– Eight core concepts for attachment theory –

1. Safe haven. 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

2. Child-caregiver security and insecurity. 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 of 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.

3. Network of relationships. 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.

4. Stable, non-abusive, family-based care. 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.

5. Sensitivity to the child’s signals and needs. 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.

6. Mentalising. 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.

7. Alarming caregiver behaviour. 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.

8.Poverty and socioeconomic stressors. 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.