This paper describes the brief history of the current World Health Organisation's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). It traces the conceptual shift from the medical model of the former International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) to one which more sensitively reflects the social dimensions of disability, and which has resulted in the review and revision of the Instrument. A children's version of the ICF is presently being developed by a group of professionals from around the world for clinical and educational applications. It is argued that the ICF is a valuable and appropriate tool for identifying, assessing and planning effective interventions for a variety of children with disabilities in educational settings. The Canton of Zurich in Switzerland has agreed to employ the ICF as a uniform tool for identifying pupils exhibiting a range of problematic conditions in order to strategically allocate resources to schools and professionals in a more cost effective way with beneficial outcomes it is claimed.