The Development of a Client Record System Within a Non-Governmental Child Care Organisation

ABSTRACT Bamardo's Is a UK child care (non-govemmental) organisation, established in 1866. It has recently embarked on a major programme of information technology development, to enable sound practice and management information to be made available in the most flexible form throughout its 170 decentralised projects. A process of search and decision-making is described, and the difficulties highlighted. Those faced by a eon-statutory agency are significantly different from those confronted by the public social service departments, and they are explored in some depth. It is hoped that the lessons which have emerged will be of value to others facing similar challenges.