Key priorities for implementation

The following recommendations have been identified as priorities for implementation.

Initial assessment of children and young people with a possible conduct disorder

  • For the initial assessment of a child or young person with a suspected conduct disorder, consider using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (completed by a parent, carer or teacher).

  • Assess for the presence of the following significant complicating factors:

    • a coexisting mental health problem (for example, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder)

    • a neurodevelopmental condition (in particular ADHD and autism)

    • a learning disability or difficulty

    • substance misuse in young people.

Comprehensive assessment

  • The standard components of a comprehensive assessment of conduct disorders should include asking about and assessing the following:

    • core conduct disorders symptoms including:

      • patterns of negativistic, hostile, or defiant behaviour in children aged under 11 years

      • aggression to people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft and serious violations of rules in children aged over 11 years

    • current functioning at home, at school or college and with peers

    • parenting quality

    • history of any past or current mental or physical health problems.

Parent training programmes

  • Offer a group parent training programme to the parents of children and young people aged between 3 and 11 years who:

    • have been identified as being at high risk of developing oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder or

    • have oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder or

    • are in contact with the criminal justice system because of antisocial behaviour.

Foster carer/guardian training programmes

  • Offer a group foster carer/guardian training programme to foster carers and guardians of children and young people aged between 3 and 11 years who:

    • have been identified as being at high risk of developing oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder or

    • have oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder or

    • are in contact with the criminal justice system because of antisocial behaviour.

Child-focused programmes

  • Offer group social and cognitive problem-solving programmes to children and young people aged between 9 and 14 years who:

    • have been identified as being at high risk of developing oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder or

    • have oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder or

    • are in contact with the criminal justice system because of antisocial behaviour.

Multimodal interventions

  • Offer multimodal interventions, for example, multisystemic therapy, to children and young people aged between 11 and 17 years for the treatment of conduct disorder.

Pharmacological interventions

Improving access to services

  • Provide information about the services and interventions that constitute the local care pathway, including the:

    • range and nature of the interventions provided

    • settings in which services are delivered

    • processes by which a child or young person moves through the pathway

    • means by which progress and outcomes are assessed

    • delivery of care in related health and social care services.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)