Some common questions

What if my answers and my child's answers are different?

Different answers do not automatically mean there is a problem. Parents and young people experience situations from different perspectives. You might notice behaviours that your child does not recognise in themselves. Meanwhile, your child may experience thoughts, feelings or worries that are difficult for you to see. Therefore, differences can actually give us useful information. 

Rather than trying to decide whose answer is “correct”, we explore what might explain the difference and what it tells us about your child’s experience. 

What happens if the outcome measures don't show improvement?

Mental health and wellbeing rarely improve in a perfectly straight line. There can be good weeks and difficult weeks, and it is quite normal for scores or ratings to stay the same or, sometimes, appear to move backwards. Importantly, a score moving backwards does not always mean that a child or young person is struggling more in these areas. 

Sometimes, as support progresses, a young person develops a better understanding of their emotions. They may become more able to recognise feelings such as anxiety, sadness or frustration and more confident in talking about difficulties they previously found hard to identify or express. For example, a young person might initially tell us that they rarely feel anxious. Through their sessions, they may begin to recognise the physical sensations, thoughts and behaviours that relate to anxiety. When they complete an outcome measure again, they might therefore report experiencing anxiety more frequently. On paper, this could look like challenges have increased; in reality, it may reflect greater emotional awareness and understanding. 

This is why we never look at scores in isolation. If an outcome measure stays the same or moves backwards, we explore what might be behind that change with the child, young person and, where appropriate, their parent or carer. We consider what has been happening in their life, what they have learned through support, how they feel things are going and whether their needs have changed. 

Sometimes the outcome measure may indicate that things genuinely have become more difficult, in which case that is important information too. It can help us consider whether the current support is meeting the young person’s needs or whether something needs to change. 

Ultimately, the purpose of outcome measurement is not to achieve a perfect set of scores. It is to help us understand the child or young person’s experience, notice meaningful changes and make informed decisions about their support. 

Does my child have to know the "right" answer?

There is no answer we are hoping your child will give. In fact, these tools are most useful when children, young people and parents feel able to describe things as they really are. A lower rating or an answer indicating that something is difficult is not a failure: it gives us information that can help us understand what support might be needed. 

Likewise, we do not want children to feel under pressure to show that things are better because they have received support. We are interested in their experience. 

Why do you ask us to complete the same questionnaire again?

It can sometimes feel repetitive to be asked questions you remember answering before. However, there is a reason for this: to understand change, we need something to compare. Completing an outcome measure at an earlier stage gives us a starting point. Repeating it later allows us to look at what has changed, what has remained similar and what may need further attention.  

What should I tell my child before completing an outcome measure?

You do not need to prepare or coach your child. A simple explanation is often enough, such as: 

“This helps your therapist understand how things are for you at the moment. There are not any right or wrong answers, so you can just say what you really think.” 

It is important that children do not feel responsible for producing a particular result. The purpose is to understand their experience – not to assess how well they can complete a questionnaire. 

Will I see my child’s outcome measures?

Since the sessions with your child are confidential the therapist would not share the outcomes with you unless your child gives permission or we have a safeguarding concern that emerges from completing the form with your child. 

What if I don’t want to answer a question on the outcome tool?

If you feel uncomfortable answering a question and/or do not wish to answer, then let your therapist know. Sometimes if the question is explained or rephrased it might make it easier to answer.