D is a 67-year-old who lives in his own property alone. D has depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependency. In 2021 he was diagnosed with OCD (hoarding type). A referral was made for support due to ongoing concerns around D’s hoarding behaviours.
D was keeping and collecting items for several reasons. Originally he was collecting items to sell for money to send to Uganda (where his wife was from). As the items mounted up, D couldn’t throw these away as he didn’t like to see waste.
The impacts of this were as follows:
- D was unable to ensure his safety
- Multiple ambulance calls were received
- Multiple complaints from neighbours to police
- D was at risk of abuse from others
- D was unable to meet his care needs
- There was a significant risk of fire and serious harm/death from a fire.
Multiple agencies were involved in supporting D and the Community Safety Officer (CSO) carried out a Safe and Well visit at D’s property. Following this home fire risk assessment, a telecare device was fitted and fire retardant bedding and blankets were provided by HIWFRS.
In August 2021 D was cooking and fell asleep right next to the chips he was frying and he was only notified as the telecare smoke alarm activated. A social worker in the case explained that D was able to follow the advice provided to him by the CSO, which meant he was able to make his way across the floor towards the front door, where he was then assisted by HIWFRS crews.
This case study was presented at a Safeguarding Adults Forum and the social worker involved couldn’t praise the CSO enough for his support in this case. Since carrying out the initial Safe and Well visit the CSO has been involved in visiting the individual and his neighbours and has attended Multi-Agency Risk Management meetings, which were then upgraded to safeguarding meetings after the fire occurred.
D still displays hoarding behaviours and is still at high risk of fire however thanks to Safe and Well intervention and ongoing support , this risk has now been reduced.
