When working with an adult who self-neglects good practice dictates that social care professionals should:

• build rapport and a relationship of trust with the adult, through persistence, patience and continuity
  of involvement
• understand the meaning of the adults self-neglect in the context of their life history
• engage with the adult’s family/friends/support network (with the adult’s consent).
• understand the nature of the adult’s mental capacity in respect of self-care decisions
• be honest, open and transparent about risks and options
• engage in effective multi-agency working to ensure inter-disciplinary and specialist perspectives, and coordination of working towards shared goals
• be flexible and willing to negotiate
• be patient and willing to work at the adult's pace

Supporting good assessment in adult social care (Research in Practice)

An updated Research in practice guidance has been published - ‘Good assessment practitioners handbook’. Good practice in assessment is essential to improve the experience and outcomes of adults and carers, to meet the expectations of law and policy, and to use resources in the most effective way. The handbook, first released following the Care Act 2014, is written primarily for social care practitioners conducting assessments, providing detailed practice guidance to explore and reflect on good assessment practice, the capabilities of a good assessor, and the support that assessors need.

To accompany the handbook, a podcast with author Gerry Nosowska reflects on the changing context to assessments and explores what has been updated.