Survey of UK computerised special needs registers

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Computerised children's disability registers are increasingly implemented across the UK.
• These registers serve dual purposes: individual support and population-level service planning.
• A significant gap exists between the current functionality and the potential utility of these registers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current state and functionality of computerised children's disability registers in the UK.
• To identify factors contributing to the successful operation of these registers.
• To recommend improvements for research, audit, and planning.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide postal survey of all computerised children's disability registers in the UK was conducted in 1996.
• Data were collected from 155 out of 166 districts, achieving a 93% response rate.
• The survey gathered information on register implementation, usage, and operational characteristics.

Main Results:

• The implementation of computerised special needs registers is a continuing nationwide trend.
• While some registers are effective for individual and population planning, many underutilize their potential for research and audit.
• Key success factors include expert setup, enthusiastic data entry staff, and strong support for data output and software modification.

Conclusions:

• Continued collaborative efforts are essential to establish a national consensus on disability categories and severity definitions.
• Enhancing register functionality requires addressing data standards, staff engagement, and technical support.
• Optimizing these registers can significantly improve research, audit, and planning for children's disability services.