The SHANARRI wellbeing indicators are designed to provide a clear, structured understanding of a child or young person’s wellbeing. However, many organisations still rely on paper-based systems or disconnected digital tools to record this information.
While these approaches may feel familiar, they can limit the effectiveness of SHANARRI in practice and impact the quality of support provided.
The Limitations of Paper-Based Recording
Paper-based systems can make it difficult to apply SHANARRI consistently. Information is often recorded in different formats, stored in separate locations and difficult to access when needed.
Common issues include:
- Notes that are incomplete or inconsistent
- Difficulty sharing information across teams
- Time spent searching for or duplicating records
- Limited ability to track progress over time
These challenges can prevent professionals from building a clear and accurate picture of wellbeing.
Fragmented Systems and Lost Insight
Even where digital systems are used, they are often not designed specifically around SHANARRI. This can lead to information being spread across multiple platforms.
As a result:
- Observations may not be linked to wellbeing indicators
- Patterns in behaviour or wellbeing can be missed
- Communication between teams becomes more complex
- Reporting becomes time-consuming and inconsistent
This fragmentation reduces the value of the information being recorded.
The Impact on Professionals
For staff working in care and education, inefficient recording systems create additional pressure.
Time spent on administration reduces the time available to support children and young people. It can also lead to frustration when information is difficult to access or interpret.
Inconsistent systems can also affect confidence in reporting, particularly during inspections or reviews.
The Impact on Outcomes
The most significant impact is on outcomes for children and young people.
When information is not recorded clearly or shared effectively:
- Early signs of concern may be missed
- Support may not be coordinated across teams
- Progress may be difficult to track
- Decisions may be based on incomplete information
This makes it harder to provide timely and effective support.
The Case for Purpose-Built Digital Solutions
To apply SHANARRI effectively, organisations need systems that are designed around the framework itself.
Geco Connect addresses this by organising all observations within the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators. This allows professionals to record information once, access it easily and build a clear, consistent picture of each young person.
By reducing duplication and improving visibility, it supports both practice and reporting.
Moving Towards Better Practice
Improving how SHANARRI is recorded is not just about efficiency. It is about ensuring that professionals have the information they need to support children and young people effectively.
By moving away from paper-based systems and adopting more structured approaches, organisations can:
- Improve consistency in recording
- Strengthen communication between teams
- Build clearer insight into wellbeing
- Support better outcomes over time
See SHANARRI in Practice
If you would like to see how organisations are moving beyond paper-based recording and applying SHANARRI more effectively, Geco Connect can help.
Book a demo to see how it works in practice.