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Recognising

See CONVERSATION 1 for identification practice guidance.

For more information, please see our policy

 

Spotting the signs

There is no singular way to identify where someone might have additional support needs or need adjustments. However, there are some common indicators which can be used 

  • Changes in well-being and emotional state: A person may show signs of increased anxiety, stress, frustration, or depression. They might become withdrawn, isolated, or disengage from services.  

  • Difficulty managing daily tasks: This could be a struggle with activities of daily living (ADLs) that they previously managed on their own. For instance, a resident might have difficulty keeping their home clean, managing their bills, or preparing meals.  

  • Communication challenges: The person may have trouble communicating their needs or understanding information provided to them. This could be due to a learning disability, a language barrier, a cognitive impairment, or a mental health condition that makes it difficult to engage in conversations. They may miss appointments, fail to give access, or fail to respond to communications from the housing service. 

  • Increased contact or complaints: A person who is struggling might make an increased number of calls or complaints to the service provider, as they are trying to find a way to get their needs met. They may also be involved in numerous enquiries coming from other tenants, such as noise complaints, anti-social behaviour, or repairs requests. 

  • Social isolation: A person with unmet support needs may find it harder to maintain relationships with friends and family, leading to loneliness and social withdrawal. 

  • Unsafe situations: In extreme cases, a person's unmet support needs may place them at risk. For example, a resident with a physical disability might be at risk of fall, or a resident who is pregnant might be at higher risk of health complications from damp and mould.  

Some of the above indicators can apply to multiple needs, which can often lead to misidentification or confusion about what he underlying cause is. As such, it's important for staff members to use professional curiosity and work with the resident to understand what the underlying issue might be.  

For information on identifying unmet care and support needs for children, please see the Camden children Safeguarding threshold. 

Last updated: 15 January 2026