Hoarding Policy Version 1.1 Date of Last Update: 18/12/15 1
Version Control Note: minor updates increase version number by 0.1, major updates increase version number by 1.0. Version Date of Sections Amended Number update Approved by 1.0 First issue in new template 20/11/15 Anne Morrison 1.1 Final update approved by EDI comments 18/12/15 Helen Bleazard 2
Table of Contents 1 Policy Introduction... 4 2 Definitions... 4 3 Context... 5 4 Aims... 5 5 Policy Outline... 6 6 Assessment Levels... 7 7 Equality and Diversity... 8 8 Review... 8 3
Policy 1.0 Introduction 1.1 This policy sets out the approach to be adopted by Yarlington in relation to all tenants affected by hoarding to ensure that all are treated fairly and receive adequate support and guidance to resolve any issues. 1.2 Hoarding is the persistent collecting of goods, objects or animals and being unable to discard of such possessions when the quantity has become excessive. Hoarding can vary from mild to severe cases whereby it may not impact a person s life at all or could seriously affect their functioning on a day to day basis. (Note this is a fusion of various popular definitions) 1.3 Hoarding is becoming a growing problem which can affect the health and safety of our tenants the health and safety of their neighbours the condition and value of the property 1.4 Yarlington recognises inter-agency resources are stretched in the current climate of national cuts to social care and mental health budgets. In response to the growing awareness of compulsive hoarding and its impact on tenants, households and neighbours, Yarlington is taking a proactive and lead stance in tackling this problem. 2.0 Definitions 2.1 Hoarding: Hoarding is the persistent collecting of goods, objects or animals and being unable to discard of such possessions when the quantity has become excessive. Hoarding can vary from mild to severe cases whereby it may not impact a person s life at all or could seriously affect their functioning on a day to day basis. (Note this is a fusion of various popular definitions) 2.2 Mental health disorder / mental illness: Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behaviour. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and eating disorders. Many people have mental health concerns from time to time but a mental health concern becomes a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2015) 4
2.3 Mental Capacity: A person lacks capacity in relation to a matter if at the material time he/she is unable to make a decision for them self in relation to the matter be-cause of an impairment of, or a disturbance in the functioning of, the mind or brain. (Mental Capacity Act, 2005) 3.0 Context 4.0 Aims 3.1 It is the responsibility of all Yarlington staff entering our properties (including repairs operatives) to report any hoarding related concerns to the Communities Team or Retirement Living Team to investigate. Reports can also be received from neighbours, community links or outside agencies such as Environmental Health, Emergency Services, Animal Welfare Officers and Social services. 3.2 Hoarding is not a stand-alone illness and statistically 92% of hoarders will have at least one other mental illness. In some cases the problem may become so severe that it causes significant distress and impairment (such as anxiety, depression). Hoarding can also become a concern for others when health and safety is threatened by the nature or the amount of clutter accumulated within and sometimes overflowing from the property. 3.3 Yarlington may need to refer to or give consideration to some or all of the following legislation when addressing hoarding cases depending on the individual circumstances. Section 47 National Assistance Act 1948 NHS and Community Care Act 1990 Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) Mental Capacity Act 2005 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Equality Act 2010 (Duty to make reasonable adjustments) ASB Crime and Policing Act 2014 Care Act 2014 Yarlington will: 4.1 provide the appropriate help and knowledge to bring the tenant s home to the correct health and safety standard with particular concern and recognition given to fire safety, the ability to maintain the property, structurally, and to Environmental Health standards as to not pose a risk to the tenants, other occupants or their community. 5
4.2 be mindful, when deciding what course of action to take as a landlord, l whether the tenant/occupant has the ability to make an informed decision at that time to comply with our requests. We will also ascertain at the earliest stage what the tenant s preferred method of communication is, recognising that the written word is often ignored. 5.0 Policy Outline 5.1 When dealing with a compulsive hoarder we consider the impact our requests could have on their mental health and should ensure they understand our obligations as a landlord to protect and maintain their health and safety and our assets. 5.2 This will be achieved by identifying the level of risk using the Clutter image Rating Scale alongside our hoarding property assessment levels to determine what action is required by the Community Co-ordinators or Retirement Living Housing Officers. 5.3 Each case will be assessed individually, taking into consideration the mental and physical wellbeing of the tenant/s, their support network and whether Yarlington s Landlord Health and Safety Surveyor and other external agencies can assist to resolve the issue (including but not only, the Fire Service, tenant s GP, Child Social Services, Adult Social Care, Environmental Health, Animal Welfare and Professional De-clutter support services). 5.4 Yarlington will ensure that reasonable adjustments are made in all circumstances to address the issue with the tenant, this may be using adjusted time scales or different communication methods and will be agreed between the tenant and Community Co-ordinator/Retirement Living Housing Officer. 5.5 In exceptional cases where deemed necessary Yarlington will engage the services of a specialist Cognitive Behavioural Therapist to work alongside the Community Co-ordinator or Retirement Living Housing Officer dealing with the hoarding. The cost will not be recharged to the tenant. 5.6 Properties identified as a fire risk will be shared with the local Fire and Rescue Service on a Hoarding database. 5.7 When assessing cases we will refer to the terms of the tenancy agreement and may need to give consideration to various Yarlington policies including our Electrical Policy, Gas Safety Policy, Heating Policy, Fire Policy, Repairs and Maintenance Policy and Recharges Policy. 6
5.8 If Yarlington considers the circumstances carefully, makes reasonable adjustments and takes proportionate steps to address the issue, the courts will support Yarlington and make any enforcement orders as required. If Yarlington are not reasonable and proportionate, the court will be critical of our requests 5.9 Yarlington operates a formal complaints procedure, where an applicant or any other person receiving a service can complain about any aspect of the service with which they are unhappy, for example: If an applicant feels they have been unfairly discriminated against or If an applicant does not receive information they have asked for. 6.0 Property Assessment Levels 6.1 High Risk - Safeguarding issue Immediate and considerable health and safety dangers are present that can cause severe disrepair (fire hazards, access issues, structural damage and inability to complete essential property maintenance) refer to photos 7-9 in Clutter Image Rating Scale. This level requires immediate and urgent action to safeguard the tenant, other occupants, neighbours and/or assets. Case identified and Community Co-ordinator or Retirement Living Housing Officer investigates. Due to the severity, they will act immediately and follow the Hoarding Procedure for High Risk. As this level will take too long to address taking into account the nature of concerns and risk, enforcement action may be taken immediately but then support and assistance will be put in place to address the cause. 6.2 Medium Risk No immediate health and safety issues Substantial cluttering preventing rooms from being used. Low-medium disrepair present in the property (including possibility of damp caused by clutter) - refer to photos 4-6 in Clutter Image Rating Scale. This level requires immediate action to safeguard the tenant, other occupants, neighbours and/or assets. Cases identified and Community Co-ordinator or Retirement Living Housing Officer investigates, following the Hoarding Procedure for Medium Risk. 7
6.3 Low Risk No immediate health and safety issues. Property may appear cluttered in places but rooms can be used, no potential hazards and no risk to asset or individuals. Has potential to escalate therefore monitoring required to ensure the property does not deteriorate to medium or high risk - refer to photos 1-3 in Clutter Image Rating Scale. Case identified and Community Co-ordinator or Retirement Living Housing Officer investigates, following the Hoarding Procedure for Low Risk. 7.0 Equality and Diversity 8.0 Review Yarlington is committed to fairness and equality for all regardless of any disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race this includes ethnic or national origins, colour and nationality, religion or belief, sex/gender, family circumstances, age or offending history. Our aim is to ensure that our policies and procedures do not create an unfair disadvantage for anyone, either directly or indirectly. 8.1 The Hoarding Policy will be reviewed every 2 years. 8.2 The Policy and Procedure will also be reviewed in accordance with any future legislative changes as and when they occur. 8