Reducing Hoarding Behaviours
This training session will provide an insight into the causes of this type of self-neglect which occurs when an individual neglects to attend to their basic needs such as personal hygiene, deal appropriately with medical conditions or keep their environment safe to carry out daily living activities. It will highlight the guidance within the Care Act 2014 in and the key safeguarding responsibilities for reporting concerns internally and externally. Staff will gain an insight into multi-agency recovery pathways that offer the best outcomes for hoarding behaviours connected with mental health difficulties, personality disorders, substance misuse, dementia, advancing age, social isolation, and cognitive impairment and can be triggered by trauma and significant life events.
Hoarding behaviours are a safeguarding concern that can result in several tenancy and health and safety risks for the individual themself and adjoining properties. To reduce the behaviours in the long term requires a holistic approach to support customers to address the underlying issues related to their hoarding behaviour.
The context
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) included hoarding disorder as a distinct mental health disorder for the first time in 2013.
This was followed in 2018 with the inclusion of hoarding disorder under the category of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders.
Course outline
The video presentation will boost the staff understanding of typical behaviours that should flag concerns of serious hoarding. It will identify the common reactions and signs of OCD and mental health disorders linked to this. Clear guidance about how to respond appropriately to all types of hoarding situations will be provided to support staff to offer sensitive and non-judgemental approaches.
The interactive session will apply the learning from the video presentation to the team’s context and create practical opportunities to actively practise the key skills necessary to recognise and respond to concerns relating to hoarding and mental health conditions potentially linked to this. Real case studies and scenarios relevant to your team’s area of work will enable your staff to develop the skills and confidence to identify typical hoarding behaviours and respond to these concerns using the knowledge gained. The impact of hoarding on mental health and that of others will be explored with clear guidance about how to manage specific situations and access to support will be shared. The importance of respect and non-judgement when working with people in a professional situation will be presented to promote safe working practices.
The interactive learning resources will support you staff to deepen their knowledge about the research towards hoarding and the related behaviours. The organisations policy and procedures for staff wellbeing will be referenced for staff to access as part of their self directed learning.
Key skills and learning outcomes
- Gain an insight into hoarding behaviours and understand the reasons that some people develop tendencies
- To be able to identify the signs and symptoms of hoarding behaviours
- Appreciate the risks associated with hoarding
- Clarity about how legislation including Safeguarding and Care Act 2014 are relevant to hoarding behaviours
- To know how to report suspected cases of hoarding internally and externally using the safeguarding process
- Confidence to have discussions with customers regarding their behaviours and the risks associated for themselves and others
- Gain some useful strategies for supporting tenants to make small changes to reduce hoarding and increase safety
Aimed at:
Staff who have face to face contact with tenants and are in a position to observe the signs of hoarding.
Session duration:
2 hours
Interested in this course for your employees?
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