Table 2

The adapted ‘HEADSS’ tool for poverty

Questions	Red flags and cues for poverty
Home: Who lives at home with you? What is your house like?	Chronic physical or mental health problems, >3 young children, single parent. Housing concerns: pests, leaks, mould, cold, overcrowding.
Employment/Education Do you work? What is your job? How is your child doing at school?	Unemployment/Low income, asylum seekers, travellers. Developmental delay, poor school attainment, poor attendance.
Activities: Do you have any hobbies? Have you been on holiday in the last year?	Lack of disposable income for hobbies, holidays or transport. Social isolation.
Diet: What did you eat yesterday? In the last year, have you worried that your food would run out before you got money to buy more?	Lack of (healthy) food, unable to afford fresh fruit and vegetables. Parents missing meals to feed children. Free school meals. Foodbank use.
Safeguarding/Support Have you ever had a social worker? Has anyone ever hurt or threatened you?	Reasons for social worker could give insight into current and previous vulnerabilities. Consider what support they already have? Are they receiving benefits? Physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect warrants further investigation and referral as per local pathways.