Barbara was a student on placement who, as part of her induction, was accompanying experienced workers as they undertook their day-to-day tasks. After a visit to one particular family, Barbara was quite confused, as she could not understand the purpose of the interview. It seemed to be a general discussion about the family’s situation with no apparent focus or purpose. Barbara plucked up the courage to comment that she was unclear as to the purpose or focus of the visit. She was to be very disheartened by the reply: ‘I don’t like to be regimented in what I do; I like to take things as they come.’ Barbara read this as confirmation of a lack of clarity and planning in this particular worker’s practice.