Evaluation of training social workers in using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire

This report presents an evaluation of the delivery of SDQ training for social workers working in children’s services in Children Looked After (CLA) teams (XXXXX). The training session was designed to improve social worker knowledge of and confidence in using the SDQ within social care practice, and to inform them of the importance of the measure in both the 903 return to the Department for Education and the referral pathway for specialist mental health assessment within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Before and after the training social workers were provided with questionnaires. The pre-training questionnaire was a needs assessment and post-training was an evaluation of the session. This report provides a summary of the discussion at the end of the training, and recommendations for future training priorities around the SDQ.