Chronologies are crucial in Adult Support and Protection. Setting out key events in sequential date order, they give a summary timeline of an adult's circumstances, patterns of behaviour and trends in lifestyle. They are a logical, methodical and systematic means of organising, merging and helping make sense of information. Chronologies also help to highlight gaps that require further exploration, investigation and assessment. The resources in this category are a selection of tools, templates, reports and guidance that will help improve ASP chronology practice.
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.
Chronologies are consistently identified across inspection reports and reviews of Adult Support and Protection activity as an area for improvement. This report scopes the existing research on chronologies, including joint inspection reports, collated initial case reviews and significant case reviews as well as individual significant case reviews. Furthermore, interviews and a survey were used to collect views and experiences from a range of stakeholders.
This guidance provides organisations and practitioners in Renfrewshire with information to support the effective Adult Support and Protection chronology practice. This includes initiation, maintenance and application of single agency and/or a multi–agency integrated chronology. It also includes guidance on what should be in a chronology, some do's and don'ts, and information sharing. Templates are included.
This guidance sets out the definition and importance of a chronology. It highlights the information that should be included, and how it might be organised (including a RAG rating for risk). A template is included.
This presentation was delivered in April 2024 to a joint child protection / Adult Support and Protection meeting. It gives an overview of the Iriss work on chronologies. This includes some major challenges in creating effective chronologies, suggestions for improvement, and tools to help.
A chronology is a record of significant events, recorded in the order they occur. Events may be either positive or negative, but they reveal patterns of behaviour, and their impact on an individual’s life. This suite of resources, developed by the Pan Lothian Partnership, offers templates and guides to creating effective chronologies.
Resources:
Chronologies quick guide
Chronologies guidance
Key messages on chronologies
Template (single agency)
Template (multi-agency)
The Pan Lothian chronologies working group was established by NHS Lothian in collaboration with NHS National Services Scotland in 2018. This evaluation report covers their work in developing, testing, and implementing a chronologies tool. Key findings on improving work in chronologies include: the importance of a collaborative and multi-agency approach; realism about timescales; a shared commitment to improving consistency; and a willingness to embrace new ways of working. The report also covers challenges and recommendations for future chronologies work.
This form is used in Angus for recording initial inquiries and investigations. It makes clear the delineation between initial adult protection inquiries and full adult protection investigations. It is used by all council officers in Angus. Includes a template to record chronologies of significant events. Use of this form has contributed to positive inspection results in Angus.
