Antisocial behaviour and conduct disorders in children and young people: recognition and management

Understanding your problem

If your parents or carers, your health and social care professionals or your school or college are worried about your behaviour you may be offered an appointment for an assessment. During an assessment a health or social care professional will ask you questions about your behaviour problems, your relationships and your life at home, school, college or work. They will also want to know if you have any other problems. Your parents, carers or teachers may be asked to fill in a questionnaire about your behaviour and other aspects of your life, such as how you get on with your friends. After this assessment you may be offered help and support right away, but if you have additional problems you may be offered a second assessment.

If you have additional problems

If you have additional problems such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism or a learning difficulty or disability you may be offered further assessment. A parent or carer, or another person you know well, should be involved, but you should also have the chance to meet with the health or social care professional on your own. There might be more than one professional at this assessment. The professional should tell you beforehand how you will get the results of the assessment. A parent, carer or advocate can help explain the results to you.

The professional should also check whether you are at risk of any harm, such as self-harm, not looking after yourself properly, or being hurt or treated badly by others. They should make a plan to help protect you from these.

Your health or social care professional should also work with you and your parents or carers to make a care plan for you.