A BSTR AC T W e describe research done in the London Borough of Tower H amlets under the supervision of the local Coalition of Disabled People. It involved three different client groupsÐ people with learning dif® culties, m ental health service users and those with physical disabilities. Few of these service users, their carers and staff had any experience or knowledge of people with disabilities receiving cash to purchase their own support. The study focused on several issues: how to provide effective information; what sorts of support could direct paym ents purchase; how could it be accessed; how could users handle the money; how could it all be evaluated? Most carers, staff and users considered this radical idea favourably, but were suspicious of their own local authority and would want independent systems of supervision and m onitoring, accountable to other users, rather than professionals.

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Based on a rapid review of social work research literature on natural disasters, this article offers an original synthesis of lessons about the nature and organisation of social services in the context of natural disasters. Drawing on social practice theory, existing intervention models are problematised, offering a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics between diverse types and levels of organisation, differing constituencies of disaster survivors, and differing environments in which they encounter. The paper also identifies elements of good organisational practice and sets an agenda for wider professional debate on the role of social work in international social development practice.