Chronologies

This provides a snapshot of evidence about chronology improvement based on a quick review of ASP Joint Inspection Reports published between August 2024 and March 2025, plus an Overview Report from 2024. Key messages and examples of good practice are included, illustrating improvements seen in chronology practice, alongside priorities for future work.

This video gives a brief history of the work of the multi-agency National Chronologies Group. It outlines the group's roots and sets out its vision, priorities, and work so far. Some of the issues with chronologies are discussed, alongside what supports improvement, and how the group aims to meaningfully improve chronologies across partnerships.

The group invites you to join the conversation and learn more about its work. They can be contacted at NationalChronologiesGroup@moray.gov.uk.

This interactive e-learning course has been adapted from the Tayside Regional Improvement Collaborative - Priority Group 5 (Safeguarding and Child Protection) e-learning course. It has been developed to support enhanced practice in the use of chronologies when working with individuals and their families.

The course aims to:

This multi-agency chronology template was produced by a working group linked closely with the National Group on Chronologies. Although designed for use with children and young people, its structure can be adapted for use in Adult Support and Protection contexts too.

This podcast captures a conversation between members of the National Chronology Group. Aspects of chronology practice discussed include key challenges, emerging positive practice, helpful tools, improving the analysis of chronologies, and personal reflections. The group discuss how chronologies can contribute to positive and meaningful change in people's lives.

This podcast is a conversation between Vicki Low (Moray) and Ellen Daly (Iriss). Vicki talks to Ellen about the improvement work she led around chronologies. Topics covered include getting started, impact, messaging and measurement, and gaining support.

This tool aims to help leaders assess their current understanding of and practices related to chronologies. Challenges with chronologies are complex and connected, so this tool supports leaders to recognise readiness for change and find a place to start. It will support leaders to identify incremental, manageable changes and take meaningful actions for improvement. The tool poses questions across a number of themes to support reflection and help leaders think through the supports and barriers in their own context. It also offers prompts from research and ideas for activities.

Chronologies are of central importance to Adult Support and Protection. In this guide, the following nine key characteristics of a chronology are explored.

Chronologies should:

Following the report Chronologies in Adult Support and Protection: Moving from current to best, these case studies highlight good practice. They cover changes in the system (recording, training, guidance, analysis, risk assessment), exploring these as levers to affect change. By sharing these examples (and building more over time), the intent is inspire others to try different approaches to chronologies.