Home Straight provides a free hoarding support service across three areas in Kent. The service works to address hoarding behaviors by identifying underlying causes, supporting initial clearances, and encouraging clients to seek help for mental health issues. Home Straight coordinators also work to ensure clients' homes meet basic needs and refer to other agencies for housing or benefits assistance as needed. The goal is holistic support tailored to each individual's situation, with the aim of preventing returns to hoarding and hospital readmissions.
Contributi dei parlamentari del PD - Contributi L. 3/2019
Peabody
1. Home Straight Hoarding Services
Simon Foster – Tunbridge Wells
simon.foster@Peabody.org.uk
07538936460
Jayne Langran – Folkestone & Hythe
jayne.langran@Peabody.org.uk
07975236210
Lizzie London – Dartford & Gravesham
lizzie.london@peabody.org.uk
07826896830
2. HOME STRAIGHT
Home Straight was first established in Tunbridge
Wells, this was following an identified need by our
Health & Housing Coordinator based within the
Integrated Discharge Team at Tunbridge Wells
Hospital.
The service has now been commissioned in
Folkestone & Hythe and more recently Dartford &
Gravesham.
There are many costs attributed to hoarding
behaviour that is eventually carried by the local
authorities:
• Damage to property
• Strain on health services.
• Increased fire risks
• Environmental Health Issues.
3. THE ROLE OF THE HOARDING COORDINATOR
• Home Straight is a FREE service that covers previous
gaps in service provision that hoarders were falling
through.
• We work alongside the Health and Housing
Coordinators based at our local hospitals
• Following discharge, a home visit is carried out to
review the home environment with a view to picking up
and addressing issues that could prevent the
patient/client from re-entering hospital.
• Although discharge dependant cases are prioritised, we
also take community referrals.
4. HOARDING SUPPORT
• Our role is to support people to identify the underlying
problem behind their hoarding behaviour (Hoarding can
stem from a variety of reasons, bereavement, debt,
relationship breakdown etc).
• We look at ways to encourage and support the person
to tackle these issues . Including, with their agreement,
supporting them through the initial clearance.
• Most importantly, we encourage and support the
person to seek help with their underlying issues.
• We complete a holistic support plan with the client to
better understand what other things they may need
support with, for instance if they are not receiving their
full entitlement to benefits.
5. MAKING THE HOME WORK FOR OUR CLIENT
• We look at how the client manages within the home, do
they need grab rails or banister rails, or maybe even a
Disabled Facilities Grant for larger adaptations.
• Look at the condition of the home, poor electrics, lack of
heating and hot water will all be identified and referrals
made back to the Local Authority for support and
assistance.
• Supporting people to look at more suitable housing
solutions where appropriate.
• We continue to work with the person with their agreement
dropping in to see them to check how they are
progressing/not reverting
6. OUTCOMES
• Currently, there is no set duration of support, but is
likely to rely upon engagement from the client.
• The success of this role depends on lots of joint agency
working and support for the customer.
• We need to be clear that our role is to work with people
who have a hoarding disorder, not as a generalised de-
clutterer/cleaner
• Sometimes we act as a support for Environmental
Health services within the Local Authority who have
powers around filthy and verminous living and they can
exercise these.
• The Home Straight service provides a targeted service.
Editor's Notes
1
Simon – 2017 Jayne – 2018 Lizzie - 2019
Funded through local councils, specifically for their own residents using Better Care Fund monies from central government.
Aiding a robust approach to support patient discharge, quickly, safely and effectively, with a focus on patients who are identified as hoarders.
4) There are some differences in referral criteria between each area. For example, Dartford & Gravesham only accept referrals from professional agencies.
3) We look at outside agencies that I can refer the individual onto and support them to attend meetings.
4) We increase this for them maybe they could consider using some of their additional income to buy in a weekly cleaning service, this would not only help keep the property tidy and clean but also be a form of social contact for the individual. I will be looking to try and get them to engage with local clubs and organisations
1) Hoarding coordinators are Trusted Assessors – They can assess for and order minor aids and adaptations to support people’s mobility needs within their homes.
3) For example, downsizing to a smaller property, supported living, ground floor access.
1) How far they have progressed – what has been achieved / what is left to do; the extent and nature of support provided by other agencies.
3) We work with people to explore their relationship with their possessions and work towards building community based integration and support and eventually to encourage them to discard / donate / keep items more appropriately.
4) Personal example
