Understand Young People’s Needs with the SDQ
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a widely-used emotional and behavioural screening tool designed to provide a clearer picture of how young people are doing.
Now integrated into youHQ, the SDQ helps schools support pupil mental health by giving visibility into areas of challenge and strength — directly from students, parents or staff.
What is the SDQ?
The SDQ is a short, evidence-based questionnaire suitable for 2–17 year olds with a focus on their strengths and difficulties. It captures insights across five key areas of emotional and behavioural development and unlike many assessments that focus solely on problems, the SDQ also incorporates questions about positive attributes and behaviours.
Each area is explored through five questions, creating a total of 25 items that build a well-rounded understanding of a young person’s mental health and wellbeing.
Who is it for?
The SDQ is a short questionnaire, typically completed by parents, teachers, or the child themselves (depending on age), and it has been clinically validated. It can be used in various settings, including schools, social work, and mental health services, for screening, assessment, and monitoring.
The SDQ can be completed by:
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Pupils (aged 11–17)
Parents (for children aged 2–17)
Teachers (for pupils aged 2–17)
How is it used in Education?
✅ Spot emerging issues that might otherwise go unnoticed
🎯 Inform intervention strategies and referrals to pastoral or external support
📈 Track progress over time, comparing before and after scores
🧠 Better understand pupils’ internalising and externalising behaviours
💬 Provide a platform for pupil voice – especially for those who find it difficult to express emotions verbally
The SDQ supports early identification, triage and ongoing monitoring. With youHQ, schools can use the SDQ to:
Seamlessly Embedded into the youHQ Platform
Within the youHQ ecosystem, pupils and staff can complete the SDQ in a secure, user-friendly environment. Once submitted, responses are automatically scored and displayed via clear, professional reports — providing insight at the individual, group or whole-school level.
Reports summarise:
Areas of strength and difficulty
Overall wellbeing trends
Suggestions for next steps based on level of concern
These insights help staff make informed decisions, whether for safeguarding, SEN support, or broader wellbeing planning.
Why schools trust the SDQ
💡 Quick to complete – 5–10 minutes per questionnaire
🔬 Backed by research – used globally in both clinical and education settings
🌍 Internationally standardised – translated into 80+ languages
📊 Computer-scored for accuracy and reliability
🛠️ Built for education – trusted by teachers, SENCOs and wellbeing leads
