Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, or SDQ, is a behavioural screening questionnaire that all looked after children and young people in Trafford should have completed at regular intervals. There are three questionnaires: one for the teacher, one for the pupil (over the age of 11) and one for the parents/carers. Each questionnaire has 25 questions assessing the following areas:
- Emotional symptoms
- Conduct problems
- Hyperactivity
- Peer relationship problems
- Kind and helpful behaviour
Why and how SDQs are used
Local authorities are required to use the SDQ to assess the emotional wellbeing of looked after children aged 4-16. Understanding the emotional and behavioural needs of looked after children is essential so that support can be put in place and children can achieve their full potential.
Regularly reviewing the SDQ enables the people around the child to put support in place as soon as needed. This support can be requested in the child's Personal Education Plan.
The three types of SDQ
Click the title for each SDQ questionnaire to download a copy of the Excel SDQ calculator.
The teacher questionnaire should be completed termly by an education professional who knows the child well in an educational context. The score should then be recorded on the child's Personal Education Plan.
The parent or carer questionnaire is completed annually by the person they live with. The health professional or social worker will record the result on Trafford Council children's social care database.
The young person questionnaire is completed annually by the young person. The health professional or social worker will record the result on Trafford Council children's social care database.
Differences in SDQ scores
Each of the SDQ questionnaire scores may produce different scores. The scores can help professionals understand if more support is needed in one setting.
In different settings, young people may also show their emotions, anxieties, and distress differently. They may not always feel comfortable sharing these feelings or reporting them on the questionnaire. It is helpful to look at the whole range of responses when deciding on how best to support a young person.
What the scores mean
The SDQ score falls into bands;
- Close to average scores
- Slightly raised
- High
- Very high
Close to average scores
If an SDQ score is close to average, it must be recorded on the child's ePEP. The child may not need direct support, but discussions about how their social, emotional and mental health can be maintained or further improved should be discussed at their Personal Education Plan meeting.
Above average scores
A child or young person's SDQ score can be above average. If this is the case, interventions should be put in place to support the young person to reduce their score and, therefore, their social, emotional and mental health issues.