Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) and Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership (OSCP) have launched a new Hoarding Support Tool to support practitioners working with adults who experience hoarding behaviours.

The Tool has been developed with adults with lived experience to help practitioners build a clearer understanding of how hoarding is affecting an adult’s safety, wellbeing, and daily life, and to support consistent, person‑centred risk management over time. It provides a structured way to record observations, capture the adult’s views, identify risks, and agree practical actions that focus on reducing harm rather than enforcing clearance.

A key feature of the Hoarding Support Tool is the use of the Clutter Image Ratings. Practitioners are asked first to use the Clutter Image Ratings based on their own observations, applying professional judgement to assess the amount of items present. Where appropriate, adults are then invited to share their own perspective using the same images. This two‑stage approach supports meaningful discussion, helps explore levels of insight, and ensures the adult’s voice remains central to assessment and planning.

The Tool should be used alongside the following resources:

• Self‑Neglect Policy, Procedures and Guidance
• Responding to Hoarding Guidance
• Self‑Neglect Toolkit

Practitioners are encouraged to complete the Hoarding Support Tool at the start of involvement, review it regularly, and use it to evidence progress, challenges, and agreed actions. Where a Team Around the Adult approach is in place, the Tool should support shared understanding and coordinated multi‑agency working.

All practitioners working with adults with hoarding behaviours are encouraged to begin using the Hoarding Support Tool to support safe, respectful, and effective practice.

Access the Hoarding Support Tool: OSAB & OSCP Hoarding Support Tool.