Social Work
Chronologies
June 2014
Pauline Morris
Learning Objectives
• To establish the context for improvement
• To confirm practice expectations about
content and use of chronologies
• To clarify what constitutes a significant
event
• To clarify the use of a different
chronology format for social work evidence
statements
• To introduce the RAG rated chronology
concept
Context: Common Audit
Findings
• Where chronologies are considered ‘good’ they
portrayed a child/YPs journey/experience
• Some chronologies have key information missing.
• Significant events did not always indicate
outcome
• Some chronology entries detail unnecessary SW
tasks and/or processes
• Excessive and unfocussed entries detract from
identifying and understanding a child’s journey
What is a Chronology?
A chronology:
• Provides a prompt, concise; factual, visual outline of
significant events/information
• Is completed in date order
• Highlights significant changes in a child’s life
• Summarises outcomes relating to significant events
• Helps to understand the impact on the child
• Contributes to risk assessment and informs decision making
through all stages of the child’s journey
• Is based on a study of recorded information, and in social
work practice its overall purpose is to support the analysis
of the history of a case
Context: Revised PLO and
Pre Proceedings:
• Was endorsed and became statute; effective April 2014
• Documents filed within Legal Proceedings are restricted to
a core bundle (unless Court requests further documents)
• All documents need to be succinct & focused on relevant
details
• Specific emphasis on Impact and Analysis rather than
narrative
• Whilst cases often have extensive complex histories, a
Chronology must primarily refer to the past two years
• Chronologies should be a summary of events: with
significance to the child highlighted
• All unnecessary detail should be avoided
• If an historical significant event continues to have current
relevance, then this should also be included.
Why do we need a
Chronology?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Keeps the ‘child in mind’, at the ‘front & centre’ of our thinking
Helps identify risk, emerging /established themes in child’s life
Identifies connections amidst intergenerational patterns of
behaviour
Helps explore trends that facilitate predictions and analysis
Helps understand what is significant to a child/YP and why?
Facilitates identification of chronic neglect
Enables us to share concise summaries of concerns with the child,
family, partner agencies and the court
Provides a ‘pen picture’ of each child to enhance prompt familiarity
with the child’s journey
With the ‘child in mind’ it provides a ‘story board’ for each child to
view if they wish to do so when they reach maturity to enhance
their ability to try to understand their particular journey
RAG Rating Significant
Events:
• RAG rating:
• RED: used to indicate periods of High risk
• AMBER: used to indicate Medium – high risk
• GREEN: used to indicate low/no risk but where event is
still significant to a child (i.e. relocation or school
transfer)
• When colour coded, the level of risk within the child’s
‘journey’ is easier to identify.
Significant Events – helpful tips
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Focus on events and changes in circumstances that had a positive
or negative impact on the child
Only include a CP/LAC visit if something significant happened
Don’t clutter up the chronology by copying and pasting case notes
or including lists of dates of visits
Multiple significant events may be grouped together eg: Between
April – June 2012 there were 23 incidents of absconding which
increased in frequency and duration each week, rather than listing
all 23 separate incidents
If events are significant they require a response – a chronology of
incidents with no details of what was done raises questions about
the SW involvement
If there was no action, explain why not
Where relevant, bring together information from a variety of
sources and always identify the source
Always reference other documents clearly
All open cases should have an up to date chronology and this
should be a priority if one is missing or out of date
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What to include – this is not an
exhaustive list!
Family history, births,
marriages, new partner,
separations, bereavements,
changes in household
composition,
employment/unemployment &
homelessness
Referral history & outcomes
Evidence of engagement or non
engagement with agencies
Education, behaviour, exclusions
admissions, missed appointments
Domestic abuse incidents
Substance misuse issues
Criminal Justice activity,
parents, carer or YP
Statutory meeting i.e.
ICPC/RCPC & outcome
Periods subject to LAC process
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Missing episodes of child or
family member
Concerns Re suspected specific
issues CSE or Trafficking
History relating to violence
including convictions for such
Any concerns Re Vulnerable
Adults
CP enquiries & outcomes
Court appearances, hearing and
orders
Key management decisions and
brief reasons
Any other relevant concerns or
positive improvements
Sex Offender Registration –
known to MAPPA or MARAC
Disability, illness & mental health
A&E attendance, hospital
Relocations
School changes