Guidelines for field staff to assist people living in ... - Housing NSW

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Factor/s Sources for further information 4Exposure to possible financial exploitation Office of the Protectiveor abuseCommissioner, Office of the PublicGuardianThreatened eviction and at risk of becominghomelessLives alone and/or unable to access help orsupervision, marked decline in activities ofdaily living and functional statusLimited mobility and risk of falls,incontinenceUtilities not present or not functional, i.e.water, power, sewerage, heating,telephonesHousing authority (DoH,landlord/real estate agent), NGOsMedical services, intake and referralsection of DADHC, ACATMedical services, DADHC, ACATLocal council, local water authority,NGOs, DoH, landlord/real estateagentOther issues that might be considered include:• The frequency of contact with family, friends or social supports (if any), as ameasure of the person’s safety and ability to access help or supervision should itbe required.• Feedback provided by the family and/or the general practitioner, provided theperson has given informed consent for this.• Who owns the premises and the person’s attitude towards a clear up. This willinfluence how the clear up process is carried out and who will undertake this (seeSection 6.1).The above findings should be discussed with other services agencies involved withthe person, always mindful of privacy considerations (see Section 5).4.5.2 Impact of squalor on the family and/or local communityIn assessing the impact of squalor on family members and the local community, fieldstaff may encounter issues identified below and may need to seek further informationfrom relevant agencies listed in the table below.IssueExcessive hoarding causing health and safety issues forneighbours.Complaints from adjoining neighbours regarding the mess,invasion of space, excessive smells (from rubbish and/orsewerage), fire hazards, or vermin infestation.Presence of dependent others, eg children, elderly relatives.Pets kept in poor health.Agencies and/or servicesfor further informationDoH, local councilDoH, local council, somecleaning services, localwater authorityDoCS, DADHCRSPCA14
4.6 Initiate referrals to address critical needsThe need for referral to another agency is determined by the apparent urgency of thesituation and the wishes of the individual. The person may be clearly very unwell atthe time of assessment and require urgent medical attention, or the person maypresent a relatively significant public health risk to the local community.The Local Government Act 1993 was amended in 2006 to enable councils to respondquickly and effectively to situations that occur on land used for residential purposesthat pose a threat to public or individual health. The amendments deal with highvolumerubbish accumulation that attracts vermin and other pests and which pose arisk to residents, neighbours and public health.In situations of extreme squalor, the assessment of risk may vary between therelevant authorities. The evaluation of the field staff may not correspond with that ofthe local council’s environmental health officer. Situations should be avoided whereone course of action is advised by field staff but another is pursued by the localcouncil (noting that the council does not need the consent of the resident to invoke itsclean up powers). It is advisable that field staff liaise with the relevant local councilbefore making an assessment on intervention and advising the resident on what willhappen. This would also allow the field staff to determine whether the residentialpremises are subject to an existing order (which may be in effect for a period of up to5 years).Interventions could also include contact with the landlord/real estate agent (if theperson is renting privately) or the DoH (if a public tenant) and other relevant agenciesto ensure housing is restored to a habitable standard by making necessary repairs orreconnecting amenities (e.g., running water, electricity, etc.).In cases where the extent of squalor may not be extreme and there is little apparentrisk to the person, neighbours or the fabric of the building, intervention does not needto be immediate, but should aim to prevent future problems arising.4.6.1 Medical and/or psychiatric reviewIf it is believed urgent medical attention is required, or medical review cannot bearranged at home within a reasonable timeframe, arrange for the person to betransferred to hospital. Other medical services that should be considered includereferral to:• the local general practitioner• community services, including adult psychiatric services and Aged Care AssessmentTeams (ACATs)• specialist medical services.For an example of this see Case Study 2 in Appendix 8.Under the Mental Health Act 1990, people may be taken to and detained in a hospitalif they are mentally ill or mentally disordered, permitting a brief period ofhospitalisation for further assessment and decisions regarding ongoing management.This Act is relevant when a person living in squalor:15
Page 1 and 2: Guidelines for field staff toassist
Page 3 and 4: Section 7: Strategies to help peopl
Page 5 and 6: SECTION 2: Explaining severe domest
Page 7 and 8: If such persons do agree to speak,
Page 9 and 10: 3.3 Gathering resources for use at
Page 11 and 12: • If the person is from a CALD ba
Page 13: availability of essential services,
Page 17 and 18: SECTION 5: Interagency cooperationF
Page 19 and 20: 5.3 FLOWCHART 1: ASSESSMENT & SUPPO
Page 21 and 22: • placing a lien on the property,
Page 23 and 24: SECTION 7: Strategies to help peopl
Page 25 and 26: SECTION 8: Strategies to assist peo
Page 27 and 28: SECTION 9: ConclusionsThe key point
Page 29 and 30: ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS AND CLUTT
Page 31 and 32: J.SLEEPING AREA:0 1 2 3Reasonablycl
Page 33 and 34: APPENDIX 3: Impact of Squalor Check
Page 35 and 36: APPENDIX 5:living in severe domesti
Page 37 and 38: Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs)A
Page 39 and 40: Department of Ageing, Disability an
Page 41 and 42: Department of Community Services (D
Page 43 and 44: APPENDIX 6:Organisations that can a
Page 45 and 46: NSW PoliceThe Police are often the
Page 47 and 48: • must have a disability within t
Page 49 and 50: APPENDIX 8: Case studiesCASE 1An el
Page 51 and 52: CASE 3Ms D, who had been living in
Page 53 and 54: CASE 6Mr A. is a 70-year-old man wh
Page 55 and 56: would permit a psychiatrist to ente
Page 57 and 58: Non-GovernmentAssistance with Care
Page 59 and 60: APPENDIX 11:Further readingClark AN

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