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Original poster

When does 'overcrowded' become a safeguarding issue?

64 replies

DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 26/10/2021 17:35

Officially speaking, rather than opinion?

Say if there was two adults, 8 children and pets in a small 2 bedroom flat?

This is anecdotal, I'm not talking about a friend or relative.

I've asked colleagues before and they never give me a straight answer.

Is it because it's never a safeguarding issue? Because it feels like it should be?

OP posts:
Elephantsparade · 26/10/2021 17:48

By clean and tidy i mean not covered in cat feaces on the beds etc. I dont want to give the impression that normal messyness is neglectful

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 26/10/2021 17:48

@SeasonalNamechange

I don’t think it’s silly to question 8 people in a 2 bed flat, major overcrowding. As a DDSL it’s something I would be keeping my eye on and would raise it with the DSL.

Overcrowding is a risk factor for DV

cunningartificer · 26/10/2021 17:47

It might be an issue of deprivation rather than safeguarding, though as another poster has said neglect is a likely outcome of overcrowding, not to mention the stress on everyone.

But why do you ask? It’s an odd thing to know about anecdotally and sounds as though it may be “they shouldn’t have so many children/pets” without precise knowledge of circumstances.

Most councils won’t allow private landlords to have accommodation that’s so crowded—my MIL had to fight against making her lovely tenants homeless when they had a second child and wanted to stay in their flat which has two bedrooms because the second room was small—she had a real battle to get it reclassified though they felt it was roomy enough.

If you have proper information I think colleagues expert in safeguarding will give you a straight answer.

NailsNeedDoing · 26/10/2021 17:46

I don’t think there can be a definitive answer to this. One of my parents was brought up as one of 8 in a 2 up 2 down, but they weren’t neglected.

Elephantsparade · 26/10/2021 17:46

I am not sure that being crowded in itself is a safeguarding issue as long as its all clean, tidy and older boys werent sleeping with thier sisters.

FAQs · 26/10/2021 17:45

8 children and pets? In total or 2 children and 6 pets, what’s the ratio?

rrhuth · 26/10/2021 17:44

Why are you asking? Clearly if there's no space to sit it is unsuitable, but you'd need dozens of people in a 2bed flat before you got to that stage.

Being poor and living in a house that is too small is not neglect.

SeasonalNamechange · 26/10/2021 17:43

neglect? tell that to all the parents in b and b homeless accommodation then?

you are being ridiculous

neglect? i'm sure a social worker will enlighten you to what neglect actually looks like!

so come on, who is it? you clearly have an agenda here and are looking for ammunition...

londonrach · 26/10/2021 17:43

It's not a safeguarding issue... overcrowding yes. Were you in a bigger property prior to the 2 bed flat as 8 children is alot of children to have in a 2 bed flat.

OwlinaTree · 26/10/2021 17:42

I know of a family of 7 living in a two bed. Council offered to re house but would be in a different part of town and they'd have to move the kids school which they didn't want to do. So they managed, they weren't forced to move.

Original poster
DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 26/10/2021 17:41

@SeasonalNamechange

safeguarding against what?
Neglect.

If there isn't enough room for beds or to even sit on a sofa, or to use the bathroom when they need and more

OP posts:
Blahdyblahbla · 26/10/2021 17:40

It would be surely be safeguarding if the children were at risk, I presume from neglect. If everyone had a bed, was able to get adequate sleep, had room to play or complete homework, and if there was no inappropriate bed sharing I don't think this would be taken as a safeguarding case.

CreepySpider · 26/10/2021 17:38

It will all be individual because it will also come down to the size of the property as well as ages.

You could contact your local council to ask if they have a specific formula for calculating it.

SeasonalNamechange · 26/10/2021 17:36

safeguarding against what?