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Brisbane City Council Hoarding and Squalor Reduction Initiative Tabatha Pashen National Hoarding and Squalor Conference 30 June 2016
Brisbane City Council Hoarding and Squalor Reduction Initiative
Tabatha Pashen
National Hoarding and Squalor Conference
30 June 2016
http://www.squalorsurvivors.com/photos/kimmy/kimmy-living-before1.jpg
Hoarding and Squalor Reduction
Initiative Cases that come to Councils attention are the most complex and
challenging, where residents:
experience significant impacts on health, wellbeing and quality
of life for themselves and neighbours
have limited insight and are highly resistant to intervention
experience a range of mental health issues and other
vulnerabilities
Hoarding and Squalor Reduction
Initiative Innovative local government approach
Based on international best practice
Targets residents whose properties come to Councils attention
One Council compliance and support partnership
Two year pilot project from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2016
One full-time Resident Liaison Officer (RLO) and brokerage budget
Hoarding and Squalor Reduction
Initiative
Local Government has regulatory responsibilities
Traditional compliance approaches:
lengthy timeframes
resource intensive and costly
difficult to accommodate residents lack of capacity
One-off enforced cleans:
highly distressing
unsustainable outcomes
Complementary internal partnership
applied sensitively, strategically and purposefully
Compliance and Regulatory Services (CARS) create leverage and
motivation to engage
Resident Liaison Officer
takes referrals from CARS
works in parallel to compliance and regulatory processes
provides intensive outreach and engagement
offers support to reduce public health risks
HSRI the approach
Provides encouragement and support
Facilitates linkages to:
specialist cleaning
mental and physical health support
financial advice
property repairs
ongoing in-home support
Facilitates case coordination with internal and external
stakeholders
HSRI the RLO role
HSRI the tools
Resident Needs Assessments
Environmental Cleanliness and Clutter Scale
assessment
Resident Recovery Action Plans goal focussed
Referrals to support services
Case conferencing - internally and externally
HSRI - referrals made to
assist residents
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Services Referred to
HSRI the benefits Council
minimises public health issues and customer complaints
reduces costs and lengthy compliance processes
Residents
improved household functioning
improved health and wellbeing
Community
improved social cohesion and quality of life
Services / Networks
strategic, coordinated and effective responses
HSRI a case study Presenting Issues
64 year old female, 36 year old daughter and 38 year old son
Diogenes syndrome and hoarding disorder - living in extreme squalor
Lacking insight into personal hygiene or public health concerns
Issues:
financial
mobility issues
a range of disabilities intellectual, physical and cognitive
impairment
social isolation
poor personal health and hygiene.
Public health risks / requirements
removal of harbourage for vermin (internal and external areas
of property)
cut-back of overgrown vegetation
full forensic clean due to extreme squalor and vermin / animal
and human defecation
excessive rodent activity requiring vermin eradication
HSRI a case study
HSRI a case study HSRI response
Resident Needs Assessment
Resident Recovery Action Plan
Referrals to relevant and resident approved agencies
Weekly communication with residents
Regular communication with neighbouring residents
Regular feedback to Council Officers
Establishment and facilitation of a case coordination team
HSRI a case study Outcomes
HSRI a case study Outcomes
Collaboration the key to
success Partnership approach - applied sensitively, strategically and
purposefully.
Coordination and maximisation of resources.
Utilisation of Council resources across different Council
divisions and sections in order to achieve outcomes and
maximise resources available.
HSRI internal partnerships and
collaboration The various areas that have committed to working collaboratively include:
Brisbane Lifestyle division:
CARS branch City Standards, City Safety, Business
Improvement and Strategy
Connected Communities branch Inclusive Communities, Zero
Harm, Branch Management Office
Brisbane Infrastructure division
City Planning and Sustainability division
Organisational Services division
Office of the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer
Thank you!
If you require further information please contact:
Tabatha Pashen
Resident Liaison Officer
Brisbane City Council
T: 07 3178 9739
Contact Details
mailto:[email protected]
HSRI case study 2 Presenting Issues
57 year old female resident presenting with severe hoarding
disorder
17 year old female daughter with support needs
Mental health concerns (agoraphobia, anxiety, depression)
Issues:
financial
chronic physical health concerns
lack of support networks (social isolation and family
breakdown)
significant mental health issues.
HSRI case study 2 Public health risks / requirements
removal of harbourage for vermin (internal and external areas
of property)
cut-back of overgrown vegetation
treatment of termite nests residing in the structure (house)
excessive rodent activity requiring vermin eradication
repairs to the structure of the property
HSRI case study 2 HSRI response
Resident Needs Assessment
Resident Recovery Action Plan
Referrals to relevant and resident approved agencies
Weekly communication with residents
Regular communication with neighbouring residents
Regular feedback to Council Officers
Establishment and facilitation of case coordination
HSRI case study 2 Outcomes
HSRI case study 2 Outcomes
