Squalor Resources
Assessment Tools:
Risk Assessment and Risk Management:
The Environmental Cleanliness & Clutter Scale (ECCS) is a 10 item assessment tool which was developed to support service providers responding to situations of domestic squalor. The assessment tool uses a four-point scale to assess accumulation, cleanliness, odour and vermin as well as the condition of the sleeping areas, bathrooms/toilets and kitchen/food preparation areas. The ECCS is well validated through research. The tool is available in both PDF and DOC file format.
The link will redirect to the document provided via ARC Justice, a Victorian tenancy legal service.
The “Reducing Risk to Workers” fact sheet provides clear recommendations to reduce the risk of illness, injury, and contamination in properties where there is excessive accumulation of possessions.
Support workers often face hazardous conditions, such as unstable piles of items, biohazards, and limited maneuverability, which can lead to injuries or health issues. Protecting support workers is crucial not only for their well-being but also for maintaining the continuity and quality of care provided to those in with an excessive accumulation of possessions.