1. The SDQ Process Please press enter to move through the following slides (This will take around 5 minutes)
Created by Lee Adams – V1 – 11/7/17

2. What This Will Cover An Overview of the SDQ Scoring an SDQ
Evaluating the Score
Our Commitment
Your Requirements
The SDQ Process (as followed by CiC Admin)
Slide Number 2

3. What is an SDQ?
SDQ stands for “Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire”
It is a short behavioural screening survey, used for 2-17 year olds, which is completed on a yearly basis
It is a STATUTORY REQUIREMENT for 4-17yrs. Unless a carer refuses to complete an SDQ, a score should be returned for every Looked After Child
It helps us make decisions quickly and acts as a guide when planning treatment, however it should be considered as part of a wider assessment process and not as a standalone tool
SDQs are sent out 8 weeks prior to a scheduled health assessment; return is required 4 weeks before the scheduled health assessment
Slide Number 3

4. How Important is it? VERY !
The information a completed SDQ contains is useful when making decisions about the appropriate type and level of support for that child, particularly if the child is scoring significantly higher in one area
We therefore need your help supporting our carers by reminding them to complete their SDQs when the time comes
Slide Number 4

5. What Does it Contain? There are 5 sections, or scales:
emotional problems
conduct problems
hyperactivity and inattention
peer relationship problems
prosocial behaviours
Each scale is divided into 5 different questions, making the SDQ a total of 25 attributes
A score is given to each answer supplied
Slide Number 5

6. Total difficulties score
What Do The Scores Mean?
Each 1 point increase in the total difficulties score corresponds with an increase in the risk of developing a mental health disorder in that area
A total difficulties score is calculated using the SDQ, which ranges from (The only score not used to calculate this is the prosocial behaviours score)
Parent completed SDQ 
Close to average
Slightly Raised
High
Very High
Emotional problems score
0-3 4
5-6
7-10
Conduct problems score
0-2 3
4-5
6-10
Hyperactivity score
0-5
6-7 8
9-10
Peer problems score
5-10
Prosocial score
8-10 7 6
Total difficulties score
 0-13
 14-16
 17-19
 20-40
Slide Number 6

7. How is it Scored ?
Admin use a spreadsheet to help us to ascertain what the scores are for each element and also the total score. Once these score are known, Admin send them to you via a Case Alert. A total score of 17+ is a potential concern. It is important that the score for each section is known, as it is possible to have a favourable overall score, but with a particularly high score in one area (meaning some additional support may be required in that one area).
Slide Number 7

8. Our Commitment Admin will:
Send out the SDQ paperwork 8 weeks prior to a scheduled health assessment
Chase overdue SDQs with yourselves between two & three weeks later, to enable you to remind the carer to complete it
Score any returned SDQs and alert you of that score
Send the scores to Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust at Bridge Park Plaza
Keep a record of all SDQs sent, received, scored and those overdue or not completed
Answer any queries around the process
Slide Number 8

9. Social Worker Requirements
Discuss the SDQ with your carers during supervision, so that they know what to expect
Remind them how important the SDQ is, and that when they receive it they have 4 weeks in which to complete it and return it to us
Chase the completion of the SDQ (if alerted by Admin)
Once the score has been ascertained, discuss it as you feel appropriate – consider CAMHS if necessary and inform Admin of your decision
Slide Number 9

10. The next slide..
..shows our process on one page. You will see that a lot happens just to get a completed SDQ scored and sent off to Leicestershire Partnership NHS trust at Bridge Park Plaza in plenty of time and to meet our statutory requirements. Anything you can do to remind carers about the importance of the SDQ, and to get them returned in plenty of time, would be greatly appreciated.
Slide Number 10

11. Our Complete Process
Slide Number 11

12. Final Slide