Squalor & Hoarding Toolkit

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Children who are living in situations of Squalor and Hoarding need to be carefully considered. The chaos of a squalid or cluttered environment may put their physical, mental and social well being at risk or increase the likelihood of them being neglected. The contact point for concern regarding children living in squalid or cluttered environments is Community Services.

Department of Community Services (DoCS)

Community Services promotes the safety and well being of children and young people within our community and can provide information and support as a means of ensuring this safety and well being is maintained. If you suspect (on reasonable grounds) that a child you have encountered living in an environment of squalor or clutter is being put at risk you can report the situation to Community Services. You can make a report by calling the Community Services Helpline on 132 111 (24hrs, 7days). When you make a report you will be asked a series of questions to help Community Services assess the risk of harm to the child/children that are involved. The information received at this time will then be assessed and the situation reviewed so that a decision regarding the course of action which is in the best interest of the child’s safety and well being can be made. For more information about this service please visit www.community.nsw.gov.au.