As the deinstutionalization process sees more children with disabilities placed at home with their families, families are experiencing burdens and stress in their continuing care lifestyle.

This paper presents a generic model of family assessment derived from the structural approach to family therapy. It also draws upon the accumulated knowledge base concerning effects on family of a child with a disability which has developed over the past twenty years. Skill and knowledge are then combined in the presentation of a case example which demonstrates family assessment in a family with a child with a disability. The technique of family sculpting as it was used during the assessment is presented.

This paper supports the development and assertive provision of family work services to families who can be identified as potential high stress families simply by virtue of having a child with a disability at home.

The assessment of the well-being of children in their family and wider social environments is the common brief of social workers and other family practitioners across a variety of agency settings. Whether the focus is child protection, family therapy, family assessment in family law matters or a combination of the above, the practitioner finds the necessity to derive an accurate and sensitive assessment of how a particular child is faring in his or her social environment.

The literature on the antecedents of drug abuse is reviewed and a number of general themes are extracted. Based on these themes, directions for primary prevention programs are identified.

Statutory and coluntary community welfare agencies are increasingly unertaking ‘reviews’. However, there is limited understanding of the wider social policy events influencing the form and function of reviews. This article focusses on reviews in voluntary agencies and suggests reasons for the increase in level of review activity and provides practical guides on achieving a successful review process.