Abstract
Routine screening to identify mental health problems in English looked-after children has been conducted since 2009 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). To investigate the degree to which data collection achieves screening aims (identifying scale of problem, having an impact on mental health) and the potential analytic value of the data set. Department for Education data (2009-2017) were used to examine: aggregate, population-level trends in SDQ scores in 4/5- to 16/17-year-olds; representativeness of the SDQ sample; attrition in this sample. Mean SDQ scores (around 50% 'abnormal' or 'borderline') were stable over 9 years. Levels of missing data were high (25-30%), as was attrition (28% retained for 4 years). Cross-sectional SDQ samples were not representative and longitudinal samples were biased. Mental health screening appears justified and the data set has research potential, but the English screening programme falls short because of missing data and inadequate referral routes for those with difficulties. None.
Highlights
Routine screening to identify mental health problems in English looked-after children has been conducted since 2009 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
The Department for Education’s aim seems to be to use the SDQ in multiple ways: as an indicator of those children and young people (CYP) who are at greater risk than the general population of developing mental health problems; as an outcome measure to monitor the impact of services; and to track CYP who are in the care of the state over time
This article examines: (a) the degree to which the current programme has achieved the intention of providing screening to identify the scale of the problem and whether it has had impact on the mental health of looked-after children in England; (b) the potential value of analysing the data set created by that programme
Summary
Routine screening to identify mental health problems in English looked-after children has been conducted since 2009 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
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