Chronic hoarding, clinically recognised as hoarding disorder, is increasingly identified across UK social care as a complex issue involving mental health, self neglect, and environmental risk. Effective social work intervention is essential to safeguard individuals while respecting their autonomy and dignity.

For professionals working in social work and mental health, including those exploring social worker agency work, understanding how hoarding disorder presents – and how to respond appropriately – is now a core skill within adult safeguarding practice.

While many people collect meaningful items such as books, antiques, or memorabilia, hoarding disorder is characterised by a persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value. This behaviour can significantly impair daily functioning and create serious safety risks.

Hoarding is the persistent accumulation of items and the inability to discard them, to the extent that they obstruct living spaces and daily activities.

Research suggests hoarding disorder affects approximately 2–6% of adults and is often associated with:

• Mental health conditions such as depression, OCD, anxiety, or psychosis
• Cognitive impairment, including dementia or learning disabilities
• Trauma, bereavement, or social isolation
• Physical limitations that make cleaning or sorting difficult

When hoarding becomes severe, clutter can overwhelm living spaces, obstruct exits, increase fire risk, and pose serious public health concerns – making risk assessment and multi agency safeguarding essential.

The Role of Social Workers in Hoarding Disorder Intervention and Safeguarding

Social workers play a central role in supporting individuals affected by hoarding disorder, leading on assessment, safeguarding, and long-term planning. This work reflects the professional standards – or code of ethics – of a social worker, which prioritises dignity, empowerment, proportionality, and protection from harm.

Holistic Risk Assessment in Hoarding Disorder and Self Neglect

A robust risk assessment is often the first step in effective intervention. Social workers assess:

• Environmental hazards (fire risk, infestation, structural safety)
• Mental health needs and capacity
• Physical health and mobility
• Risks linked to self neglect
• The impact on neighbours, family members, or carers

In many cases, mental health support worker job duties and mental health support worker responsibilities overlap with social work functions. Support workers may assist with daily routines, emotional support, and engagement, while social workers retain responsibility for safeguarding decisions, statutory processes, and legal frameworks.

Building Trust Through Ethical Social Work Practice

Hoarding is deeply emotional and often linked to trauma or loss. Successful social work intervention relies on building trust through:

• Trauma-informed practice
• Motivational interviewing
• Non-judgemental communication
• Collaborative goal-setting

One practitioner explained:

“We agreed that during each visit, we would choose five old magazines to remove. It’s slow progress, but breaking objectives into manageable tasks is far more effective.”

This approach aligns closely with ethical social work practice and helps prevent disengagement.

Case Study: Multi Agency Safeguarding in Practice

This case study demonstrates multi agency safeguarding in action.

When Mr Ahmed’s housing officer raised concerns about blocked exits and strong odours from his flat, a referral was made to adult social care. The allocated social worker coordinated a multi agency meeting involving mental health services, the fire and rescue service, environmental health, and the housing provider.

The fire service identified a high fire risk caused by newspapers stacked against heaters. Mental health professionals assessed that Mr Ahmed was experiencing severe depression following bereavement, contributing to the hoarding behaviour.

A joint safety plan was agreed:

• Smoke alarms were installed
• Temporary storage was arranged
• Weekly mental health support was put in place

The social worker acted as lead professional, ensuring all agencies remained aligned. Over time, Mr Ahmed’s living environment became safer, and his engagement with services improved.

Social Work Intervention and Practical Decluttering Support

Effective intervention focuses on working with, not against, the individual. Social workers often support access to:

• Specialist hoarding charities
• Community cleaning teams
• Professional organisers
• Local authority decluttering support services

The goal is sustainable change rather than forced clearance, which can be re-traumatising and ineffective.

Case Study: Practical Decluttering Support in Action

Ms Taylor lived alone and had gradually filled her home with clothes, craft supplies, and unopened parcels. She felt overwhelmed and avoided letting anyone inside.

Her social worker focused first on building trust and understanding the emotional meaning behind her belongings. Together, they agreed on a single achievable goal: clearing one kitchen surface so she could prepare meals safely.

Weekly visits from a local hoarding support charity helped Ms Taylor sort items into “keep”, “donate”, and “recycle” categories. Over three months, she regained safe use of her kitchen and living room, with ongoing support to prevent relapse.

Strengthening Support Networks and Long-Term Monitoring

Social workers help individuals reconnect with family, friends, neighbours, and peer support groups to reduce isolation and build resilience. Because hoarding disorder rarely resolves quickly, long-term monitoring, regular reviews, and continued multi agency coordination are often required.

Why Hoarding Disorder Experience Matters in UK Social Care and Agency Work

For professionals considering social worker agency work or roles through social worker recruitment agencies, experience of hoarding disorder is increasingly valuable. Many local authorities now prioritise hoarding and self neglect within adult safeguarding frameworks, creating strong demand for skilled practitioners across UK social care.

Work With Pertemps Social Care

Pertemps Social Care works in partnership with local authorities across the UK to recruit:

• Qualified social workers
• Mental health social workers
• Support workers
• Practitioners specialising in hoarding disorder, self neglect, and complex needs

If you’re exploring your next opportunity or want to progress your career in social work and mental health, speak to our specialist recruitment team today.