Legal Learning Session: Hoarding and the law

Problems with hoarding tend to be longstanding, but because they are not generally seen as a ‘crisis’ they often do not receive the concerted, multidisciplinary attention that they need. Even though the statutory guidance to the Care Act 2014 includes hoarding under the heading of ‘abuse and neglect’, it still tends to be left to the case worker to try to find a way forward, and resources are always likely to be an issue. But in addition, many professionals are unclear what they are legally able to do, and even whether they should be attempting to intervene at all. This session will consider a range of possible responses under the law and where each one might be appropriate.

Learning outcomes:

• How hoarding cases relate to the Care Act adult safeguarding framework.
• Whether intervention can be justified in the context of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
• Scope for use of the Mental Health Act, including guardianship, or the Mental Capacity Act.
• When it is appropriate to use environmental health law.

Simon Foster, freelance legal consultant and trainer