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Territorialisation of social work in France has promoted the development of the spatial analysis of local social realities. This article deals with the way the observation of territories is currently addressed within social work institutions. The aim is to better understand the theoretical and methodological approaches that are now favored by different actors of the social sector, be they specialists in local social observation, social action managers or social workers. The analysis is based on the results of several action-research projects led with départements (counties). Evaluation of existing studies within local authorities and at national level shows a prevalence of a statistical and cartographic approach of socio-economic data.