"Ustawa o wspieraniu rodziny i systemie pieczy zastępczej" (the statute on family support and surrogate care) has obliged municipalities to provide help for dysfunctional families and their children. That is to be brought into effect through the work of the family assistant. The purpose of this help is to make it possible for dysfunctional families to overcome obstacles deriving from the process of the upbringing of young children. The assistant is to help parents fulfill their social functions that might, in effect, lead to the stability of life preventing children from being placed in foster families and institutions. The family assistant is a new position in the structure of the local administration. They work with families after the recognition of social and psychological problems, upbringing difficulties, and conflicts with the law. The work takes place with family’s consent and active participation. The main modus operandi of the assistant includes a selective support of the activities of the person under his/her charge.