LSAB launch new guidance for supporting adults who self-neglect

Luton supporting adults who self-neglect practice guidance

The Luton Safeguarding Adults Board is pleased to launch the local practice guidance Supporting adults who self-neglect guidance May 2025

The aim of the self-neglect guidance is to provide a consistent framework for professionals and agencies in the collaborative identification, assessment, coordination of support, and risk reduction for adults who self-neglect. This guidance aims to assist professionals and agencies in clearly defining the various forms of self-neglect and in determining appropriate next steps when such situations arise. It is intended to enhance practitioners confidence supporting individuals who exhibit self-neglecting behaviours. 

This guidance should be used to: 

• Support when there is significant concerns by agencies around an individuals safety and wellbeing as a result of self-neglect and/or serious concerns around the safety of others due to the behaviours of the individual who is self-neglecting. (risk of serious harm, injury or death)
• Advise existing agency involvement and appropriate multi agencies. If collaboration working has been completed and there has not been an resolution to the self-neglect issues, the guidance can support agencies further
• Help in situations where the adult appears to have capacity to make decisions regarding their environment and lifestyle choices pertaining to the issue of self-neglect 

The LSAB intends that this guidance will support all practitioners in all types of services including the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to recognise self-neglect and provide the right support and to make the right referrals when needed.  

This guidance has been published on its guidance and tools page. Other resources are available to practitioners including the Pan Bedfordshire Safeguarding Adults and Procedures these can be found at https://panbedfordshiresabs.trixonline.co.uk/