skip to main content

Stage 1: Identification of vulnerability

Stage 1: Identification of vulnerability

See CONVERSATION 1 for identification practice guidance.

For more information, please see our policy and procedure 

 

Spotting the signs

Vulnerability is complex, and there is no single definition of what it means to be vulnerable. These common indicators should be used to help identify people who may be experiencing a vulnerability:  

Emotional indicators:  

  • Numbing, flatness, or decrease in emotional responsiveness  

  • Increased dependency on others and services  

  • Withdrawal or social isolation 

  • Difficulty concentrating or decision making  

  • Worsening of mental health concerns  

  • Substance use  

  • Emotional outbursts or panic attacks  

  • Feeling of hopelessness, helplessness, or being a burden to others 

  • Self-harm or suicidal ideation  

  • Anxiety, paranoia or suspicion 

 

Behavioural Indicators: 

  • Neglecting personal care or hygiene 

  • Difficulty maintaining a habitable home 

  • Increase in risky or dangerous behaviour  

  • Aggression or irritability 

  • Becoming unusually quiet, withdrawn, agitated, or aggressive 

  • Hoarding or difficulty discarding possessions 

  • A failure to respond to correspondence or to answer the door when visited 

  • Refusing to allow access for gas safety checks, repairs or other routine visits 

  • Clutter, mess or rubbish rotting and piling up, bins not cleared or used. Bad smells coming from home. 

  • Pests present  

  • Evidence of excessive alcohol use, drug paraphernalia 

 

Social Indicators: 

  • Social isolation or withdrawal from friends, family, or community 

  • Frequent reports of ASB 

  • Frequent reports of conflict or disputes with neighbours or family 

  • Changes in communication (hyper-frequent or limited contact)  

  • Unable to use digital technology 

  • Reliance on others to communicate or unable to directly communicate with the tenant   

 

Physical Indicators: 

  • Unexplained or reoccurring physical injuries or bruises 

  • Changes to the residents’ normal physical presentation, i.e., changes to weight 

  • Physical damage to the home i.e., holes in walls, doors being forced, internal doors being removed, or locks on internal doors 

  • Frequent lock changes 

  • Unaddressed damp and mould 

 

Financial indicators: 

  • Lack of heating, clothing or food. 

  • Candles being used for lighting  

  • Inability to pay bills  

  • Unexplained shortage of money 

  • Unexplained withdrawals from an account 

  • Unexplained loss/misplacement of financial documents, 

  • The recent addition of authorised account holders/signatories  

  • Unexplained changes in a will or other financial documents 

  • Debt and rent arrears, including failing into arrears when tenant previously had good payment history 

  • Lack of suitable furniture, white goods or other household items 

 

Situational Indicators: 

  • Major life changes e.g. job loss, financial difficulties, relationship problems, or bereavement. 

  • Experience of discrimination or abuse  

  • Exposure to abuse and violence 

  • Exposure to war or conflict 

  • Forced displacement from home or community  

  • Frequent no access

 

Some of the above indicators can apply to multiple vulnerabilities, which can often lead to misidentification or confusion in what the underlying cause is. For example, issues with budgeting and money management can be an indicator of financial abuse, a form of domestic abuse, as well as substance misuse or mental health concerns. As such, it's important for staff members to use professional curiosity and work with the resident to understand what the underlying vulnerability may be. 

Last updated: 16 May 2025