For Professionals
The Hoarding Assessment Tool in Children's Homes(H.A.T.C.H)
The Hoarding Assessment Tool in Children’s Homes (HATCH) has been developed in partnership with parents who have hoarding tendencies and practitioners experienced in supporting families.
Its purpose is to help identify situations where hoarding behaviours may be creating unsafe or unsuitable living conditions for children. By recognising concerns early, practitioners and families can work together to improve home environments and promote children’s safety and well-being.
Finding comfort in possessions is a very human experience
The H.A.T.C.H tool recognises this with sensitivity, its purpose is not to label families, but to help understand their needs and ensure that children have safe, supportive spaces to grow and thrive.
- Focuses on understanding rather than judging families or their behaviours.
- Encourages positive and respectful conversations about the home environment.
- Helps practitioners and families work together to create safe and nurturing spaces for children.
- Supports children’s well-being, learning, and development by ensuring their home environment meets their needs.
The HATCH tool should be considered when:
There are concerns about hoarding tendencies within the home.
A child lives with a parent or primary caregiver who displays hoarding behaviours.
Home conditions may be affecting the child’s safety, comfort, daily routines, or emotional well-being.
A Collaborative Approach
The HATCH assessment is designed to be completed collaboratively with families, supporting openness and shared understanding.
Consent
Consent from parents or caregivers should always be sought before beginning the assessment.
Support
All questions are phrased positively to reduce anxiety and to encourage constructive, supportive conversations.
Sensitivity
Practitioners should approach the assessment with sensitivity, reassurance, and a focus on supporting, not judging, the family.
The Face Behind H.A.T.C.H
Meet Amy, our Family Caseworker, who is the incredible mind and heart behind HATCH.
With over 15 years’ experience in healthcare, spanning autism, learning disabilities, elderly care, children and families, and mental health, Amy has a remarkable ability to connect with people of all ages, especially children.
She brings this expertise into her work with the families we support who are experiencing hoarding challenges, creating fun, age-appropriate sessions that help turn what could be a difficult journey into something positive and manageable, ensuring the children involved feel safe, understood and able to thrive
It’s this hands-on experience and deep understanding of families’ needs that inspired Amy to create the HATCH tool, which is designed to support practitioners and families in building safer, more nurturing home environments.