Background Research suggests that people with intellectual disabilities are over-represented in homeless populations, but services may not recognise their intellectual disability.

Aim To explore the short-term impact of screening with the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire (LDSQ) on seven people known to a homeless service in England. These participants had been found to have intellectual and adaptive functioning in the intellectual disability range in a larger study of the use of the LDSQ in homeless services.

Method The LDSQ impact questionnaire was used to evaluate participants’ views on the benefits and drawbacks of screening with the LDSQ. Changes in participants’ health status were also explored.

Findings There appeared to be many benefits of using the LDSQ and few drawbacks. Six of the seven participants had been placed on the GP learning disability register following participation in the larger study, of whom four had received an annual health check and two had received new treatment.

Conclusion Using the LDSQ in a homeless service appears to be beneficial for people with intellectual disabilities who are homeless and can lead to positive healthcare outcomes.