30-month assessment

In 2013, a new universal 30 month assessment was introduced across Scotland as part of the universal child care pathway for babies and young children.  Completion of SDQ represents one of two standardised assessment instruments which are used by NHSGG&C during this developmental assessment which the Health Visitor completes in partnership with the parent/carer.  The other instrument utilised is the Sure Start Language Measure – Revised (SSLM_R).

The SDQ is a brief behavioural screening questionnaire. It covers five areas: Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity/inattention, Peer Relationship Problems, Emotional Symptoms and Pro-social Behaviours. The first four of these are rated negatively (that is, they pick up difficulties in children). These can be added together to give a Total Difficulties score, which shows an indication of overall difficulties that the child is experiencing. The final area, Pro-social Behaviours, is a positively scored scale, so it shows things the child does e.g. ‘is helpful if someone is hurt or upset’.

The Total Difficulties score and the sub-scale scores can be split into groups which indicate whether a child has no difficulties, possible difficulties or likely difficulties. A global SDQ score of over 17 indicates a behavioural concern. If needs are identified via the SDQ, a set of impact questions is also completed in partnership with the parent or carer to gain a deeper insight into the impact of the current behaviour on the family.