Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) completion for 2022/23

1 November 2023

There is a statutory requirement that all Local authorities are required to use the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess the emotional wellbeing of individual children in care (CiC) aged 4 to 16.

Understanding the emotional and behavioural needs of CiC is important so that the relevant support can be put in place and children are given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

The SDQ is a brief emotional, behaviour screening questionnaire for children and young people between the ages of 4 years up to their 17th birthday. All versions of the SDQ ask about 25 attributes, some positive and others negative. These 25 attributes are divided between five scales:

  1. Emotional Symptoms
  2. Conduct problems
  3. Hyperactivity or inattention
  4. Peer relationships
  5. Pro-social behaviour

We are asking Designated teachers, or a member of school staff who knows the child or young person well, to complete an SDQ form for all years from Year R to Year 11. Requests for completion of the 2022/2023 SDQ form will be sent out through the KCC portal to all DTs starting in November 2023 and will continue until February 2024. As both Reception and Year 7 will be new pupils to school staff, we will delay sending out SDQs for these two year groups until if possible until December 2023.

We would appreciate a quick return of the form. If there are any problems, please contact VSK for advice by emailing VSK@kent.gov.uk or by phone on 03000 41 27 77.