Perhaps it's that time of year when many of us are clearing out
cupboards and filing systems, but we faced the same question
recently. My first reaction was 10 years. I know this sounds
extreme but we get cases of students starting courses, dropping
out for whatever reason, then popping up again several years later.
It's true we could treat them as new clients but their old reports can
often be revealing.
To prove the point, soon after our discussion a fax arrived from an
LEA which began "You first assessed the above client in 1995...".
In theory all reports could be held electronically, but when you have
EP's reports (and I'm amazed how many students lose these given
what they cost and potential usefulness) as well as other
subsequent correspondence, it explains why we have so many
stuffed filing cabinets including half a dozen holding archived stuff in
the attic.
With part-time students taking up to six years to complete a
degree and then perhaps deciding to do a part-time PhD for another
six years, even ten years sounds too little, the mind boggles. We
will probably have to have the floors strengthened. I can foresee
disability advisers passing clients on through the generations.
Dave Laycock
Head of CCPD
Chair of NADO
Computer Centre for People with Disabilities
University of Westminster
72 Great Portland Street
London W1N 5AL
tel. 020 7911-5161
fax. 020 7911-5162
WWW home page: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/ccpd/
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