Tools for assessing and tracking pupils' SEMH

Use this list to find the right tool to assess pupils' social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, and track their progress.

Last reviewed on 17 January 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 31042
Contents
  1. Strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)
  2. Emotional literacy assessment (£)
  3. Self-image profiles (SIP) (£)
  4. Boxall Profile (£)
  5. Socio-emotional profile questionnaires
  6. Behaviour indicator tool and parent questionnaire

Use this list to choose the right tool to assess pupils’ social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. They can be used as part of a school-wide audit on mental health or as a targeted assessment of a pupil who has been referred for special educational needs (SEN) evaluation. 

Your choice of tool will depend on your school’s context and assessment needs. When evaluating which tool to select, make sure to consider:

  • What is/are the pupil/pupils’ age and level of need?
  • Who will administer the assessment?
  • What do we want to find out?
  • How will the results be used?
  • Will the tool be used to evaluate the success of an intervention?
  • What length of intervention will you be tracking?
  • Will the tool be used just once or regularly, to track progress?

Strengths