Reference tables, like Taxonomy, are an idea for a potential practice tool. Reference tables would exist alongside any emerging taxonomy and would describe:

• The range of development of children in each of the taxonomical groupings
• The range of services ordinarily offered to children in each of the groups, and
• Some estimation of the outcomes for children in each group, and the extent to which services have any meaningful impact.

So far, Dartington have done little more than ‘reference’ what happens to children in groups emerging from discreet research studies (for example of all children in a small community) or from planning data for a local authority (for example all children referred to health, education, social care, police and youth justice in a single calendar year). These analyses demonstrate the potential for a practice tool in this area, but little more at present.