The assessment (of the childrens living situation and his family) is probably one of the most controversial questions in social work. The importance of the assessment process is given by the fact that on its outcome depends what kind of work will be performed with service users. Despite this relevancy there is lack of attention paid to assessment theme in the Czech professional literature. If we go through contemporary literature on social work there are only small parts of texts about assessment theories, methods or further questions. In my paper I present basic definitions on assessment in the context of social work, discuss different strategies and concepts which can help to better understand what place has assessment in the process of working with service users. I offer to discussion some questions which are in relation to assessment in European countries.