Evaluation of a pilot project for mental health screening for children looked after in an inner London borough

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of a screening test for looked after children in order to identify undetected psychiatric disorders.

Design/methodology/approach

Children aged four to 16 in care in one London Borough for four consecutive months were eligible for screening. Carers, teachers and children aged over 11 were asked to complete the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Where the SDQ suggested that a psychiatric disorder was “possible” or “probable”, participants were then invited to complete the Developmental and Well‐Being Assessment, which was rated by a senior psychiatrist to generate diagnoses if appropriate.

Findings

The paper finds that over one year, 23 children were eligible for screening. A total of 18 underwent the initial stage of screening, and seven were subsequently diagnosed with a formal psychiatric disorder.

Originality/value

This study illustrates the unmet need for mental health interventions among children looked after by the local authority and confirms the feasibility of a simple screening protocol.

Citation

Newlove‐Delgado, T., Murphy, E. and Ford, T. (2012), "Evaluation of a pilot project for mental health screening for children looked after in an inner London borough", Journal of Children's Services, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 213-225. https://doi.org/10.1108/17466661211261398