View report page

THE AT RISK REGISTER
The "At Risk" Register continues to remain an item of work under constant
scrutiny. It was found that where a large number of categories of "At Risk"
factors are in use the number of children who are included in the "At Risk"
Register becomes excessive and the object of the Register in focusing attention
on children most likely to be suffering from an abnormality is lost. In an
attempt to reduce it to manageable proportions an abbreviated list of categories
has been brought into use and these are given below:-
1, Genetic (family history of deafness, blindness, etc.)
2, Virus infection of the mother before the sixteenth week of pregnancy.
3, Exchange transfusion or a serum bilirubin over 20 mg, per cent,
4, Hydramnios,
5, Evidence of foetal distress, post-partum distress or anoxia, including
delay in the establishment of respiration of over three minutes from whatever
cause,
6, Prematurity, if the birth weight is less than 31b,12oz.
7, Baby who is "small for dates".
8, Any congenital malformation.
9, Cyanotic attacks,
10, Any other cogent reason.
It is obvious that the "At Risk" register is a poor substitute for the
real task of providing for a comprehensive assessment system for all children
at certain points in development which forms the basic recommendation of the
Sheldon report. The provision of such a comprehensive system is something for
which we must constantly strive,
KINGSLEY HALL ASSESSMENT CENTRE 1969
I think it might be appropriate to preface this report by stating
briefly the purposes for which the Kingsley Hall Assessment Centre is used.
Owing to various improvements in ante-natal and post¬natal care, there
is an increasing number of children with serious handicaps who survive the
perinatal period and these children require every possible care and help in
order that they should develop to their full potential. We know that the
earlier this problem is tackled, the better the results and the main purpose
of Kingsley Hall is to take these children under the care and observation of
trained staff for varying periods of time as soon as is practicable.
Some very important objects can then be achieved. First and foremost
is the assessment of the condition, and this is not a thing which can be
done quickly or with any degree of certainty until the child has spent some
time with us. Often the first time he is seen is the first time he has been
out of his family circle, and his behaviour and reactions to testing are
33