Chronology writing – guidance for practitioners

A chronology seeks to provide a clear account of all significant events in a child, young person or adult’s life to date. This brief and summarised account of events provides accumulative evidence of emerging need and risks and flags up when a multi-agency response might be necessary.

As part of effective recording, all practitioners who work with children, young people, adults and their families should maintain a chronology of significant events as part of the case record.

What is a chronology?

• A list, in date order, of all the significant events and changes in a child, young person or adult’s life drawing upon the knowledge and information held by agencies involved with the child, young person or adult and their family, recorded as brief ‘headlines’ to provide an immediate, visual overview;
• An important part of the whole case record about a child or adult.
• A chronology is not:
  • the detailed case recording; a diary/ list of dates; an assessment; an end in
    itself.

The type of changes and events that should be included in a chronology would include changes in the family composition, address, educational establishment, in the child or person’s legal status and any injuries, periods of hospitalisation or other significant medical treatment.

In relation to children and young people, practitioners should refer to the relevant sections of the  GMSP procedures which are supplemented by the MSCB Chronology Guidance (issued 2013).

MSCB Chronology Guidance (issued July 2013)