Children’s Disorders
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Children’s Disorders

Observation and shared next steps

A short record for a conversation with school or professionals. Record one occasion on page 1; use another copy for a comparison. Page 2 records the response and who will follow through. This is not a diagnostic test.

Download the two-page observation sheet (PDF)

Use only the identifying details needed. Agree who needs a copy; keep completed sheets securely.

1. What happened?

  1. The situation and what came before

    What was being asked? Who was there? Note relevant changes, sensory conditions, sleep or health, if known.

  2. What I observed

    Describe actions, sequence and duration. Keep observations separate from explanations; mark uncertainty.

  3. The child’s account

    Use their own words, or describe how they communicated. What do they want adults to understand or do differently?

  4. What adults did, and what happened next

    Include help, adjustments or a pause. What helped, what made things harder and what remained difficult?

  5. Effort, distress and recovery

    Record the cost as well as task completion. When and how did the child recover or rejoin? What is still unknown?

2. What will we do with this information?

  1. The question we need answered

    Compare occasions. What changed? What does the existing explanation leave out? Separate possible explanations from established findings.

  2. The professional response

    Who will bring the evidence together? Record the reasoning, further information needed and what will happen if disagreement remains.

  3. Agreed action and responsibility

    Action / adjustment: __________________ Person responsible: ______________
    Start date: ______________ Help actually available: _____________________

  4. How the child will help review it

    What change matters to the child? How will we check participation, effort, distress and recovery with them?

  5. Review and continuity

    Review date: ______________ Earlier contact if needs change: ______________
    Who follows up if the help is not delivered or the usual arrangement fails?

Use the record to secure a response

A family record should inform the work of professionals. It does not transfer responsibility for assessment, coordination or support onto the parent.

Read the preparation guidance →