Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director, Adults

The Assistant Director, Adults, submitted a report (previously circulated) to provide an overview of self-neglect, including the local picture, for the period

2020-2024, as reported into Darlington Safeguarding Partnership, along with the trends, themes and key learning points.

The submitted report outlined that the Darlington Safeguarding Partnership was aware that self-neglect continued to be a challenge with numbers of reported concerns highlighting a steady increase year on year. It was stated that a key priority for the Partnership was to ensure partner agencies improved awareness and understanding of adult self-neglect to ensure early identification was achieved and, wherever possible, prevent serious injury or the death of adults at risk who appear to be self-neglecting.

In addition to the submitted report, the Safeguarding Partnership Business Manager gave a presentation which provided an overview of the local picture of adult self-neglect, and the definition and description of self-neglect. Particular focus was given to the Safeguarding Adult Review referrals and data reported into the Partnership relating to self-neglect, which highlighted there has been an upward trend, locally, regionally and nationally.

The presentation covered the themes, trends and key learning points identified, and the work that the Darlington Safeguarding Partnership has undertaken in response to support those working with adults who self-neglect.

Members welcomed the report and were pleased to note that self-neglect and hoarding were not considered ‘a lifestyle choice’, and questioned the level of work that the Partnership could undertake with those who privately rented and with private landlords. Discussion ensued on the work undertaken by Environmental Health, and the mechanism for referrals to General Practitioners. It was noted that hoarding may be viewed as a mental health condition, however was usually found alongside another primary diagnosis.

Members entered into discussion on the perceptions and misconceptions around hoarding, and use of the ‘Clutter Tool’. Members were keen to understand the information sharing arrangements with safeguarding partners, particularly in relation to the Fire Service, where early intervention and a shared Fire Safety Plan may result in lives being saved.

RESOLVED – (a) That this Committee encourage that discussions in relation to information sharing between partner agencies be expedited to ensure, where possible, that those vulnerable people with a record of hoarding and self-neglect have greater access to fire safety services at the earliest opportunity;  

(b) That the understanding of self-neglect and the key learning points identified by Darlington Safeguarding Partnership to date, be noted.

(c) That this Committee is assured that the Safeguarding Partnership is effectively coordinating multi-agency safeguarding practice relating to self-neglect in Darlington for adults with care and support needs.