Strengths and Difficulties (SDQ) Briefing
The Local Authority are required to collect data to return to the government annually on
the emotional health of Looked After children.
All children age 4-16 will have a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
completed as they enter the care system as a base line assessment of their emotional and
behavioural wellbeing.
Children age 4-16 already in care have an annual (SDQ) completed about them and by
them.
The SDQ is an emotional and behavioural screening questionnaire for 4 -16 year olds.
There are versions for the parent/carer to complete, the child/young person and the
school to complete.
It is concise and easy to use. It gives a score which indicates when difficulties may be
present. Research has shown that it is a reliable and valid tool.
The form has 5 separate sub scales for different aspects of problems or behaviours some
positive others negative:
Emotional problems
Conduct/behaviour problems
Inattention/hyperactivity
Relationship with peers
Pro-social behaviour
The scores are added together to produce a total overall stress score.
The questionnaire then asks for the impact of the behaviour to be rated to determine
whether it is chronic, how much distress it causes, the level of social impairment and the
burden to others.
The information gathered will be used as:
An indicator to track the levels of difficulties children and young people are
experiencing and any improvements that are made
A guide for putting in place the appropriate support services, either from OCC
(such as Placement Support service or Attach) or from partnership agencies (e.g.
PCAMHS or specialist CAMHS)
Collection procedures
The SDQ is disseminated and collected in by the Designated Nurse for LAC for all
children and young people within the age group who are new to care and again at annual
intervals. The questionnaires are scored and the report returned to the childs social
worker.
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Report from Carer (for young person age 4 16)
High Scores
A total score of 18 or more requires action to be taken by the childs social worker and
the child brought to the attention of the psychology service (Attach) or mental health
service if already involved with the child or a consultation arranged if not already know
with one of the following services.
ATTACH
PCAMHS
CAMHS
Satisfaction with service referred to.
A questionnaire is sent to the social worker for each child with a high score to establish
the effectiveness of the psychology/ mental health service referred to.
Contact for more information:
Maggie Mackenzie
Dawn Rowe
Designated Nurse Looked After Children
LAC Administrator
Tel: 01865 265015
Tel: 01865 265009
Please return completed forms to LAC Administrator, East Oxford Health Centre, 1
Manzil Way. Oxford. OX4 1XD
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Report from Carer (for young person age 4 16)
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
Report from Carer (for young person age 4 16)
Childs Name(s) ________________________________________________________________________
Family Name ___________________________________________ Date of Birth ______________________
Instructions: For each item, please mark the box for Not True, Somewhat True or Certainly True. It would help
us if you answered all items as best you can even if you are not absolutely certain or the idea sounds daft!
Please give your answers on the basis of the childs behaviour over the last six months.
Strengths And Difficulties Questionnaire
Not True
Somewhat Certainly
True
True
1.
Considerate of other peoples feelings
2.
Restless, overactive, cannot stay still for long
3.
Often complains of headaches, stomach-aches or sickness
4.
Shares readily with other children, for example toys, treats, pencils
5.
Often has temper tantrums or hot tempers
6.
Rather solitary, tends to play alone
7.
Generally obedient, usually does what adults request
8.
Many worries or often seems worried
9.
Helpful if someone is hurt, upset or feeling ill
10. Constantly fidgeting or squirming
11. Has at least one good friend
12. Often fights with other children or bullies them
13. Often unhappy, down-hearted or tearful
14. Generally liked by other children
15. Easily distracted, concentration wanders
16. Nervous or clingy in new situations, easily loses confidence
17. Kind to younger children
18. Often lies or cheats
19. Picked on or bullied by other children
20. Often volunteers to help others (parents, teachers, other children)
21. Thinks things out before acting
22. Steals from home, school or elsewhere
23. Gets along better with adults than with other children
24. Many fears, easily scared
25. Good attention span, sees tasks through to the end
Please turn over there are a few more questions on the other side
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Report from Carer (for young person age 4 16)
26
Impact Statement
No
Yes Minor
Difficulties
Yes
Definite
Difficulties
Yes
Severe
Difficulties
Overall, do you think that your child has
difficulties in one or more of the following areas:
emotions, concentration, behaviour or being able
to get on with other people?
If you have answered Yes to Question 26, please answer the following questions about these
difficulties:
Less Than
1-5 Months
a Month
27
How long have these difficulties been present?
Not at All Only a Little
28
Do the difficulties upset or distress your child?
Do the difficulties interfere with your childs
everyday life in the following areas?
6-12
Months
Over a Year
Quite a lot
A Great
Deal
Not at All
Only a
Little
Quite a lot
A Great
Deal
29
HOME LIFE
30
FRIENDSHIPS
31
CLASSROOM LEARNING
32
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
33
Do the difficulties put a burden on you or the
family as a whole?
Do you have any other comments or concerns?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature____________________________
Date_________________
Please circle accordingly Mother / Father / Other please specify
Thank you very much for your help.
Robert Goodman 2002
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Report from Carer (for young person age 4 16)
