IPSN tool

Indicators of special needs

Mark the relevant indicators based on your opinion. This tool is designed to support you without requiring any medical or other expert knowledge.

  • Under 18
  • Elderly i
  • Female
  • Male
  • Lesbian i
  • Gay i
  • Bisexual i
  • Trans i
  • Intersex i
  • Accompanied (child) i
  • Unaccompanied (child) i
  • Single parent accompanied by one or more children under the age of 18 years
    • Physical signs: i
    • Injuries apparently as a result of assault or controlling measures
    • Visible signs of illness
    • Work-related injuries due to poor health and safety measures
    • Tattoos or other marks indicating ownership by exploiters
    • Diagnosed health conditions
    • Symptoms of health conditions: i
    • Disabilities limiting the physical functions of limbs, fine bones, or gross motor ability
    • Vision impairment i
    • Hearing impairment i
    • Speech impairment i
    • Intellectual disability i
    • Various conditions if classified as disabilities under national legislation i
    • Sexually transmitted diseases
    • Injuries of a sexual nature
    • Gynaecological symptoms such as urinary or vaginal infections, pelvic inflammation or pain or irregular bleeding
    • Sexual dysfunction
    • Female genital mutilation (FGM) i
    • Pregnancy (including the period immediately after pregnancy) i
    • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) i
    • Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) i
    • Disorders of Extreme Stress, Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS) i
    • Depression (diagnosed)
    • Psychosis
    • Anxiety disorder
    • Other diagnosed mental disorders
    • Impulsive behaviour
    • Major appetite changes and/or evident weight loss/-gain
    • Lack of self-care and social presentation
    • Irregular speech or lack of speech
    • Uncharacteristic, peculiar behaviour
    • Psychotic episodes i
    • Engaging in high-risk behaviour
    • Tendency to self-harm
    • Substance abuse i
    • Addictions/obsessions
    • Apathy
    • High arousal levels i
    • Heightened sensitivity i
    • Phobia
    • Mood swings (rapid or dramatic shifts in feelings)
    • Depressed mood i
    • Emotional numbing
    • Fear and loss of sense of safety and security
    • Thoughts of death and suicide
    • Fatigue i
    • Sleep disturbances i
    • Confusion and disorientation
    • Difficulty in concentrating i
    • Re-experiencing a traumatic event: i
    • Avoidance of stimuli related to the trauma: i
    • Personality change
    • Feelings of guilt
    • Feelings of shame
    • Sense of hopelessness
    • Sense of worthlessness
    • Unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers
    • Damaged self-image: i
    • Distrust of others
    • Distrust and/or fear of authorities
    • Withdrawal from others and keeping to him/herself
    • Avoidance of individuals of the same cultural background
    • Avoidance to interact with a member/s of the same sex
    • Family dysfunctions and disruptions
    • Difficulties in caring for a baby
    • Being fearful and emotional about family or dependants
    • Acting as if instructed by another
    • Origin from a country where torture is known to occur
    • Origin from a country where violence due to armed conflict is known to be widespread
    • Origin from a country where female genital mutilation (FGM) is a traditional practice i
    • Origin from a country where sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is known to be common i
    • Origin from a country where gender-based discrimination is known to be common
    • Origin from a country where currently traffickers are known to operate i
    • Experience of violence
    • Someone has taken advantage of the personal situation of the individual i
    • Bullying of the individual
    • Avoidance by members of the same culture
    • Isolation by the family or other close group
    • Lack of knowledge about the area where the individual lives considering the length of stay
    • Limited knowledge of the host country considering the time the individual lived there
    • Language understanding limited to vocabulary relating to an exploitative situation
    • The person (normally female) has been in the host country for a considerable period before applying for international protection
    • A female applicant has a child conceived in the host country/another Member State, but the father is not part of the application for international protection or the relationship to the partner does not appear genuine
    • A re-encountered unaccompanied minor or vulnerable adult who disappeared from the asylum procedure cannot adequately give details of where he/she went or what he/she was doing
    • Debt of the person and/or his/her family to finance the journey
    • Dependency on others for activities of daily life

Special needs

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If you have marked any indicators, the number of the relevant ones will appear next to the respective category.

Categories

Support

Here you can find general guidance on how to address the special needs of the applicant.
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Phases