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Association of Therapeutic Playwork
BATP
Developing
from work initially undertaken in Therapeutic Playwork and Psycholudics
by Gordon Sturrock and Perry Else this site offers information of
interest to Therapeutic Playwork practitioners.
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The
Association of Therapeutic Playwork (BATP) is an open membership
organisation and will appeal to people who are concerned with the
ecology of the child at play, therapeutic practice (based on the
potential of play as a process of self healing) and the spiritual
dimensions of play.
Following
on from the publication of the Colorado Paper in 1998 (available as a
download from the Ludemos web-site) the co-authors, Gordon Sturrock and
Perry Else, received many requests for the application of Therapeutic
Playwork to be further developed using psycholudic models, so as to
differentiate it from other forms of playwork. Accordingly, through
numerous courses and programmes offered around the UK a recognizing body
to serve those who had undertaken training and qualification became a
necessity, especially so as a result of the take up and development of
Therapeutic Playwork programmes at Practitioner Level being delivered at
University of East London, University of Gloucester and, latterly, at
the University of Swansea.
In 1999,
the Association of Therapeutic Playwork, an open entry group, was
formed and the idea of the formation of an Institute of qualified
Associate, Full and Practitioner Level membership was first mooted. The
working title for this new organisation was the Institute of
Therapeutic Playwork. A steering committee was formed to take the
new organisation to the next level of operation.
To date,
we have been widening the membership base, largely through the Ludemos
web-site (created in 2002) and in establishing the application through a
variety of recognitions, at a number of levels. Currently we are seeking
recognition through an industry lead body for the Institute.
In the meantime we have opened up access to the membership of the BITP
through the Ludemos web-site, the TP discussion group is
active. An ethical statement has been
drafted and a constitution
is being established that will conform to the response from the industry
lead body.
Drafts
of these crucial elements of our working practice and organisational
structure are available on the discussion group for member comment.
Formal approval of
the titles 'British Association of Therapeutic Playwork' and 'British
Institute
of Therapeutic
Playwork' will be sought from the UK Secretary of State when BITP is
recognised as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Gordon Sturrock for the BITP September 2008 |
Ludemos