Life story books are often incorporated into this work to give a visual aid and reminder of important events or feelings.
[2] Social workers should take the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that children who are expected to be adopted or to be in long term care have a life story book.
[7] Some suggest that life story work can be completed by any adult who is able and willing to spend time with the child and build a trusting relationship.
[11] A child who does not fully understand their history is at risk of developing an imagined story of fictional family members leading to a misplaced sense of identity as they mature.
[12] Often, life story books are written from the perspective of the Past-Present though it has been suggested that writing it in this way causes the child anxiety as past issues may be too painful to come to terms with.
[9] It has been identified that ICT can assist with the presentation of life story work such as amending colour schemes to make it personal to the individual, and correcting spelling or grammatical errors.
[13] Computer programmes have been developed to complete life story work with children in a way which they feel comfortable and do not find threatening.
[19] Some Local Authorities in the UK have developed procedures which outline the need for all children who are Looked After to have life story work completed with them; usually in conjunction with the social worker and foster carer.
[27] An Australian study of ex-prisoners with 'intellectual' disabilities suggested that life story work may be beneficial to allow this group of people to better communicate their experiences.
[29] Research conducted within in-patient older adult mental health wards found that there was sometimes a shortage of qualified staff to complete the work and a reluctance to get involved due to other commitments and responsibilities.