Self-Neglect Awareness Training Course

Self-neglect occurs when an individual is unable or unwilling to care for their own basic needs, such as personal hygiene, nutrition, health, or safe living conditions. It can also include hoarding, where possessions accumulate to the point of creating unsafe environments. For professionals in health and social care, recognising and responding to self-neglect is crucial, as it often involves complex safeguarding responsibilities, ethical dilemmas, and multi-agency collaboration.

This free self-neglect online course explores the concept of self-neglect, its relationship to safeguarding, and the practical and legal frameworks for intervention. It also examines the unique challenges posed by hoarding, and how professionals can balance autonomy with a duty of care while ensuring respectful, person-centred support.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Self-neglect is a challenging area of practice that requires sensitivity, legal awareness, and collaborative working. Without the right knowledge, professionals may miss the signs, delay interventions, or struggle to balance an individual’s right to make choices with safeguarding duties.

Here’s why this course is for you:

• Understand self-neglect: Learn its key characteristics, statutory definitions, and common indicators.
• Link to safeguarding: Explore how self-neglect is addressed under the Care Act 2014 and the role of safeguarding adults.
• Balance autonomy and duty of care: Navigate the ethical dilemmas involved in respecting choice while protecting wellbeing.
• Respond effectively: Gain confidence in carrying out risk assessments, engaging multi-agency support, and applying practical interventions.
• Focus on hoarding: Understand its psychological basis and the interventions that can help.
• Apply the law: Use frameworks such as the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in practice.
• Document and monitor: Learn the importance of accurate record-keeping and ongoing monitoring in managing risk.
• Practical examples: Draw on case studies and interventions to strengthen your understanding.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define self-neglect and describe its key characteristics, including hoarding.
• Recognise the signs and indicators of self-neglect in individuals.
• Explain how self-neglect fits within adult safeguarding responsibilities.
• Apply the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 to self-neglect cases.
• Identify ethical dilemmas such as autonomy versus duty of care.
• Carry out risk and capacity assessments appropriately.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies to manage self-neglect.
• Understand hoarding as a form of self-neglect and identify tailored interventions.
• Use effective strategies to engage individuals who resist services.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ongoing monitoring arrangements.

Target Audience

This course is suitable for:

• Health and social care professionals.
• Safeguarding leads, managers, and practitioners.
• Carers and support workers who may encounter self-neglect.
• Housing officers, community workers, and voluntary sector staff.
• Students and learners preparing for roles in care or safeguarding.

FAQ

What does the course cover?
It covers self-neglect, hoarding, safeguarding responsibilities, risk assessment, legal frameworks, interventions, and monitoring practices.

Can I apply what I learn straight away?
Yes. The course provides practical tools, case studies, and frameworks to apply in real-world safeguarding practice.

How long will it take?
The course is self-paced and typically takes 1 hour to complete.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is awarded on completion.

Is this course relevant to UK practice?
Absolutely. It aligns with the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and UK safeguarding practice.

Is this course CPD accredited?
Not yet, but accreditation is being developed.

Self-neglect presents some of the most complex safeguarding challenges in health and social care. This course provides the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to respond effectively while respecting the dignity and autonomy of the individual.

Join today and strengthen your ability to recognise and manage self-neglect in professional practice