These are:

What did you think?

Did you identify these issues with Darcy’s recording skills?

1. It took Darcy a week to report potential abuse and only then because she was subjected to rudeness herself.
2. Darcy does not give the date or time the incident took place.
3. Darcy spelt Mrs. Robinson two different ways. One must be incorrect.
4. There was no mention of what was said. Did Darcy hear the exact words which she thought were rude and if so, what was said?
5. Did Darcy assume Josie’s shouting was rude? How did she know Mrs. Robinson had not asked her to speak up or shout? Mrs. Robinson could have been upset about something else, unrelated to Josie shouting.
6. Josie uses an abbreviation which is unnecessary and abbreviates offensive language.
7. Darcy makes an ageist comment at the very end and calls Josie nasty which is using unnecessary offensive language. Darcy is being judgemental about Josie. She may be right about Josie being rude but it is factual evidence that is important here.
8. Darcy did not date, time and personally sign the document.

If you find something you feel is significant when you are working with an individual, your first duty is to report it to the person in charge.

One of the most important phrases you might hear about recording is:

“If it is not written down, it didn’t happen”. 

Legal outcomes are not based on ‘truth’ but on ‘proof

Griffth, 2007

How did you do?

If you didn’t do very well, you might want to think about doing some core skills tests and getting some help.

No matter how busy you are, lack of time is not a defence against litigation

Wood, 2010

Record keeping can be considered a low priority.

But poor record keeping is a sign of poor practice. Good records evidence good practice. Make sure your performance involves good practice!