This protocol sets out the approach to be taken by practitioners in Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), Housing and Children’s Services when dealing with self-neglect and hoarding concerns. This also encompasses the Private Rented Sector, and Owner-Occupied properties where Health and Social Care Partners have identified a concern through their interventions.
Managing the balance between protecting adults at risk from self-neglect and/or hoarding behaviour against their right to self-determination is a serious challenge for services. Working with people who are difficult to engage can be exceptionally time-consuming and stressful for all concerned.
The adult’s understanding is crucial to determining what action may or may not be taken in, self-neglect and / or hoarding. All adults have a right to take risks. They can choose to behave in a way that could be seen by others as harmful to them if the adults have the legal capacity to make their own decisions.
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