Quick Exit

Self Neglect

Self neglect is a complex issue and is often a feature in Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs). The Care Act 2014 recognises self-neglect as a category of abuse and neglect, which means that people who self-neglect will be supported by safeguarding adults teams, as well as receiving more general social care support.

Self neglect is when a person being unable, or unwilling, to care for their own essential needs. It can cover a wide range of behaviour including neglecting personal hygiene, health or surroundings, refusal of necessary support and hoarding. It can include:

  • lack of self-care to an extent that it threatens personal health and safety
  • neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings
  • inability to avoid harm as a result of self-neglect
  • failure to seek help or access services to meet health and social care needs
  • inability or unwillingness to manage one’s personal affairs

Wiltshire has developed Self Neglect Guidance and an accompanyting Hoarding Protocol designed to help to identify the signs of self-neglect and how to respond.

The guidance explains what self-neglect is and the various forms takes. It will help to identify the signs and understand how to support someone who may be self-neglecting.

A quick reference guide to self neglect.