Behaviour that challenges is relatively common among children and young people with a learning disability. Over time, without intervention, these behaviours may become persistent. They can put the individual at risk of harm to themselves and to others, have an adverse effect on their quality of life, and lead to inpatient admission or residential placement, potentially out of area. Early intervention could prevent or reduce behaviour that challenges before the need for specialist referral, placement or inpatient admission arises.

This article describes the development of a screening questionnaire designed to identify young people with a moderate-to-severe learning disability who are at risk of emerging or escalating behaviour that challenges. This freely accessible questionnaire supports the implementation of early intervention and can be used by health, social care and education professionals, including nurses working in a variety of settings, when reviewing the health, care or education of any young person with a learning disability.