Professor Robert Goodman, the inventor of the SDQ, estimates that there are a significant number of children and young people (5% or more) with unrecognised serious mental health disorders. We perceive that the SDQ now needs to facilitate embedding within organisations to expand assessment coverage and facilitate wide scale mental health screening. We particularly identify “ordinary” schools as the most important focus for screening programmes; we recognise, as well, the benefits of an organisational focus for social services, clinical practices and other caring organisations.
Since 2016, the SDQ has been developed beyond the decade-old paper questionnaire and scoring website model. Longitudinal and self-entered assessment have been introduced as well as software tools for analysing cohorts (e.g., classes, practice lists, special needs groups), much-enhanced data export and even interfaces with organisation-wide patient, client and student management systems.
SDQ practitioners within organisations are likely to benefit from having a wider range of eduction and skills beyond those required of early adopters. Requirements may involve, for example:
Recognised certification and accreditation is an important aspect of SDQ training. We will advise, assist and formally certify organisations and individuals who establish appropriate training and education programmes for the SDQ.
Organisations and individuals are invited to contact Janice Sidnell and Jake Smith at sdqtraining@youthinmind.com to discuss involvement in the SDQ education and training initiative.