Hoarding

Hoarding is when somebody experiences great difficulty in getting rid of their possessions and, left to themselves, fill living areas with clutter. The risk can be to themselves and/or other people. Often, people who hoard experience significant distress, with hoarding also closely associated with trauma. The resources in this category explain what hoarding is, and present approaches that may work in addressing both the hoarding and issues underlying it.

The hoarding support checklist

This is a one-page tool designed to help professionals stay on track when supporting adults with a hoarding disorder (or who display hoarding behaviour). It is a checklist that helps remind professionals of key strategies in their response. These include a trauma-informed approach, working in a multi-agency way, and building relationships. The tool is produced by Clouds End, a UK-wide social enterprise supporting positive and supportive strategies to address hoarding behaviour.

Title of the checklist

Changing the way we think about hoarding (Dundee)

This video sets out basic knowledge on hoarding behaviour. It looks at why and how people hoard, trauma, and how hoarding behaviour can run in families (including in children). It also includes material on the Clutter Rating Scale, which helps with assessing risk. The video stresses the need for time, multi-agency working, and professional curiosity to work effectively with people who hoard.

Hoarding and self-neglect video (Dundee)

This video, presented by Lisa Cox of Scottish Fire and Rescue, defines a hoarding disorder and its key attributes. It looks at origins, prevalence, risk, assessment, and effective working with people affected by hoarding. The video also covers Diogenes Syndrome (DS).

Hoarding and self-neglect podcast (Clackmannanshire)

Podcast between Neil Whettam (Learning and Development Advisor, Clackmannanshire) and Paul Comley (National Adult Support and Protection Co-ordinator) about hoarding and self-neglect. Covers what hoarding and self-neglect are, choice, capacity, assessment frameworks, and research. Working in these areas can be very challenging and this podcast supports individual and team reflection on these areas of practice. 30 minutes long.

Self-neglect and hoarding guidance (Aberdeen)

This multi-agency guidance for managing self-neglect, hoarding and non-engagement provides a framework to complement any single agency protocol or guidance. It includes material on defining the issue, assessment, information sharing, working together to find solutions, and addressing non-engagement with services. The guidance is accompanied by several appendices, including checklists, infograms and pathways.

Cover image of guidance

Learning from Learning Reviews: Self-neglect and hoarding (Aberdeen)

This video and one-page briefing share practice from Aberdeen's experiences when working with people with hoarding and/or self-neglecting behaviour. The material prompts practitioners to think about what might be the reasons for the person's behaviour and the possible impacts. It also addresses when an Adult Support and Protection referral should be considered. Relationship building, multi-agency working, and the balance of 'choice' and risk are all considered.

The ASPire Hub is a place for everyone working in Adult Support and Protection in Scotland to access and share resources. It is regularly updated and we welcome feedback and new additions!