Questions into the CORC inbox
Within our network newsletter, CORC share questions that comes into the CORC inbox, along with our response, which we feel may be of use to others. This feature summarises those questions, and our answers, during 2025.
If you have any questions about using outcome and feedback measures, please get in touch at CORC@annafreud.org
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Translating outcome measures into a young person's first languageQuestion:In our service we work with children, young people and families from a diverse range of backgrounds. Some of them have only recently moved to the UK so struggle to understand the questions in some of the outcome measures we use (SDQ, YP-CORE, WEMWBS, GBOs and a few others). Could we translate the measures into their first language?
Answer:Our outcome measure pages provide information about translations of outcome measures and where to find them. This includes translations for some of the measures you mention (for example the SDQ is translated into more than 80 languages, and some translations are available of the CORE measures and WEMWBS).
Translated versions aren’t available for all measures and the languages available do vary between measures. Our cultures guidance explores the challenges of accessibility of language and suggests some ways forward so do have a look at that too – p9 and p10 look at this specific challenge.
NHS licence for using SDQ
Question:We've heard that the NHS licence for SDQ is coming to an end and will not be renewed. Could you advise us on what to do. The SDQ is one of our core measures and is used across our service and we're not sure what we'd replace it with.
Answer:We are aware that the licence for SDQ is coming to an end and that future licensing was not certain. The latest update we've received is that the situation has improved and that SDQ tool owners have indicated they are prepared to offer an extension to the current licence. Some details are being ironed out and update from NHSE is expected in due course. We'll keep you updated when we hear anything more.
Measures available for parents or carers to complete about their child
Question:My service is using the parent version of the SDQ, but we would like to explore alternatives. What other measures are available for parents or carers to complete about their child?
Answer:As part of support for children and young people aged 6+ years, CORC recommends that parent and carer completed measures are used alongside self-reported measures when it’s feasible, to get a wider perspective on the child or young person’s needs and progress. As part of support for younger children, parent and carer completed measures are crucial.
When it comes to choosing measures, we recommend that services follow a process based upon determining expected outcomes of support in order to identify appropriate measures and then refine based upon context and consultation. Find out more about this process here: Free online training
There are a variety of outcome measures that are designed for parents and carers – and for the ‘person most knowledgeable about the child’ – to complete about a child or young person. Examples can be found on the CORC directory of outcome measures. Some measures that you may want to consider are:
- RCADS – Parent version; to measures a parent or carer’s perspective on their child’s symptoms of anxiety and depression
- KIDSCREEN-10 or 27 parent and carer version; to assess the subjective health and wellbeing of their child
- The Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) parent-report in child; to assess how the child has been feeling or acting recently
- Child and Youth Resilience Measure: Child Version (CYRM) Person Most Knowledgeable About Child (PMK) version; to explore and measure the child’s resilience.
Outcome measures for young people who are adopted or on a special guardian order
Question:Can you offer any guidance around outcome measures which are appropriate for assessing the needs of young people who are adopted on on a special guardian order. These are children and young people who have experienced significant trauma and loss in their early years.
Answer:You may find this paper useful. It includes a section on measures used as part of assessment, but with an emphasis on how they are used (using a mentalizing approach in this case). A ‘wellbeing passport’ type approach was also trialled.
It may also be helpful to explore the TAYC measure in this context, which you can find details of here.
What can we find out from the data our service has been collecting?
Question: We’ve been collecting data from service users for a while and collected quite a lot of data. We are now thinking about how we can use this data understand more about how our service is supporting young people. Where should we start?
Answer: There are different ways to analyse outcomes data to understand the difference support is making. Usually analysis focuses on change – the difference between scores at the start and end of support. On our website we share some considerations and guidance that would be a good place to start when looking at change: Using outcome data and comparing change
We can provide support with data analysis either as part of membership, or on a consultancy basis. If this interests you then do get in touch.
Permissions for using outcome measuresQuestion:Can I have the necessary permissions to use this [specific] outcome measure?
Answer:CORC is not the developer or copyright holder of the measures which we host within our Directory of Outcome Measures. The directory provides outcome and experience measures for use with children and young people, which are listed in alphabetical order. Each page contains information about the measure (including the research behind it), how to use and score it, and information from the provider of the measure (for example about the availability of electronic or translated versions).
Please refer to the specific measure you are wishing to use, and it will provide details of who to contact and the permissions each requires. Unless otherwise stated, and in most cases, CORC is not the developer or copyright holder.
Please also note that CORC does not mandate the use of any specific measure(s). The most important consideration in choosing a measure is that it is meaningful to your service, service-users and the work that you do.
We do recommend however that services do not change the words in measures because (in most cases) this has been tried and tested through a research process. If you do wish to make modifications to any measure, we suggest that you contact the copyright holders directly: different measures have different copyright specifications.
Any modifications to standardised measures will mean your data will not be comparable to that collected by other CORC members (which we hold data for). If you wish to submit data from a modified version of a measure, we ask that you get in touch with us beforehand to discuss this.
Incorporating outcome measurement meaningfully into play therapy
Question:How can outcome measurement be incorporated meaningfully into play therapy?
Answer:The starting point for all outcome measurement needs to be the child and the support they’re receiving. Whatever the type of therapy being offered, the age, and stage of development, of the child or young person will inform how best to measure outcomes. Gathering multiple perspectives using child-reported, parent-reported and practitioner-reported outcome measures can offer valuable insight into how a child is doing.
We at CORC encourage service providers to consider how they can improve or enhance children and young people’s engagement with outcome and feedback measures. This includes providing options for how they might be completed. Doing so will allow children and young people with varying needs and abilities to benefit from the use of measures and the resulting information. Options for completing measures include exploring more creative approaches, which is especially true for support based on creativity, such as play therapy.
We have heard of creative methods to using measures including the use of Lego, play-dough and cards, that make measures more accessible and conducive to the style of support (like play!).
CORC guidance is to use standardised measures and that professionals should stick to the wording of the questions on the measure. To support children to engage with the questions however we suggest that professionals prepare to explain key words or phrases and to give space for any questions. This highlights the importance of being prepared, which is an important step in our Six Steps to Using Measures Effectively approach.
We are always interested in developing our knowledge of good practice in this area -please get in touch and share your creative practice and tips for using measures creatively.