A major part of the work of British social workers in children's departments is interacting with an IT system known as the Integrated Children's System (ICS) that implements both record-keeping and reporting functions. After a short time in operation, the system is now regarded as deficient and, disturbingly, there is a body of evidence to suggest that the impact of the implementation has all too often been antithetical to core social work values and ambitions. This article describes the mistakes made in developing a specific computer system for childcare. It can be regarded as a case study in how not to develop such systems and how much of the functionality associated with children's social work can be implemented very easily. Although the article is based on one specific system, it has a much more general context. In international terms, concerns about inappropriate child-care IT systems are not confined to the UK. In terms of general applicability, many of the observations and recommendations made here in relation to ICS could similarly apply to future chronicling systems adopted across other areas.