To see the twins, Jimmy and Wayne Grant, together — on one of our home visits — is to understand something of what the paediatric term ‘failure to thrive’ means. Jimmy is a chubby, rose-cheeked boisterous two-year old. He appears to be a happy, mischievous boy, running, playing, talking and laughing. He comes to his mother for help and comfort and cuddles up to her spontaneously. He responds readily to her attention and affection. She smiles at him, picks him up, sits him on her lap, plays with him, answers his questions, watches his movements, warns him when he is in danger.

On the edge of the room, like a stranger, stands Wayne — posture rigid, staring fixedly at us. He isasad, lethargic looking child, very small and extremely thin. His pale face throws into relief the dark shadows under his eyes. He remains in one spot, as if at attention; by now he is gazing unswervingly at his mother. She takes no notice of him. When asked to call Wayne over to her she looks in his direction; as she does so her face hardens and her eyes are angry. She addresses him with a dry command; when he hestitates she shouts at him.

In the past couple of years, Dinkmeyer and McKay's (1976) Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) has become very popular in Australia. It is currently being used in public schools, Department of Children Services and other social agencies. As the use of STEP increases, it seems appropriate for STEP users to share their ideas in order to promote a better understanding of the programme. In this paper, the author

(i) describes his early experiences with parent education;

(ii) identifies the theoretical origins of step, and

(iii) describes some guidelines for a STEP leader.

Over the last few years the Australian family has again become a focal point for inquiry and intervention. Scholars and researchers, as well as the government, have suggested there has been a breakdown in Australian family life. This has brought in its wake a concomitant increase in divorce and separation, a surge of single parent families, and a decrease in the marriage rate. A broad range of activities has been initiated to both understand the parameters and substance of the subject, as well as to develop means of supporting and strengthening the family.

The number of children placed for adoption in Australia (and in virtually all other countries) in the 1970's was infinitesimal compared with the number placed in the 1960's. Nevertheless, we enter the 1980's with adoption remaining a major subject for public scrutiny and discussion. Several factors contribute to this interest. Adoption in the one “welfare” activity that touches the lives of the “non-welfare” public, in that it is still seen (unrealistically) as the first alternative for childless couples wanting a family. The decrease in babies needing adoption reduces the number of couples who can look to adoption as a means of having a family and increases the public interest in this “rare commodity”. Two Australian Conferences on Adoption (1976 & 1978) brought together for the first time in this country the various parties involved in the adoption process, generating intense and ongoing examination, discussion and debate. The secrecy of the adoption process has been called into question, particularly by adult adoptees deprived of any information at all concerning their origins.

The child care centre at the Eden Park Industrial Estate, North Ryde, is currently the only centre established by a developer and in receipt of federal funding under the Children's Services Program.

The success of the Eden Park centre, which has been incorporated as an integral part of the design of the industrial complex, has caused the centre to be the focus of the growing interest in the concept of work-related child care by such groups as commercial concerns, unions, local government and other public authorities.