Assessing Needs Policy

1. Purpose & Scope

The purpose of this policy is to outline the procedures Delighted Mankind follows when evaluating the physical, mental, and social needs of homeless individuals in London. By accurately assessing their needs, we can efficiently allocate our resources and transition our target of 36 individuals per year into our shelter and care programs.

2. Initial Contact & Outreach

Our dedicated outreach teams and volunteers engage with individuals sleeping rough on the streets. During the initial contact, our primary goal is to build trust through a non-judgmental approach and ensure immediate survival needs are met before conducting a formal assessment.

3. Core Needs Assessment (FCSEH)

Once an individual consents to our support, a trained support worker will conduct a comprehensive needs assessment based on our five core pillars:

• Food: Dietary requirements, allergies, and immediate nutritional needs.
• Cloth: Sizing for weather-appropriate clothing and essential hygiene products.
• Shelter: Evaluating the urgency of housing, identifying any risks, and allocating space in our shelter program (intaking 3 individuals per month).
• Education: Assessing current skill levels, literacy, and identifying suitable vocational training courses to empower self-sufficiency.
• Healthcare: Identifying urgent medical conditions, mental health support requirements, and registering the individual with local NHS services.

4. Individual Action Plan

Following the assessment, a tailored "Action Plan" is developed collaboratively with the client. This plan sets clear, achievable goals for the client's transition back into mainstream society. The client is assigned a dedicated caseworker to guide them through this process.

5. Ongoing Review & Confidentiality

Needs are not static; therefore, the Action Plan is reviewed bi-weekly. All information gathered during the assessment process is strictly confidential and stored securely in compliance with UK Data Protection laws and our Privacy Policy.