W.A.L.K.W.A.Y.S (Walsall Youth Projects): Using participatory appraisal as a means to assist person-centred plannng in the lives of young drug users.

This article describes the use of participatory appraisal as a means to assist person-centred planning in the lives of young drug users. It describes how, when working with young drug users, it is essential to work with the individual and whatever issues they choose to present. Participatory appraisal provides the tools to enable workers to facilitate change by encouraging clients to priorities their issues, while offering interventions when and if appropriate. An example of the structure of a contracted, six-session programme with a client is given.