In many fields of Social Work, practitioners are confronted with clients who hoard items and refuse in their living space to an extend that appears to render living a healthy and socially bearable life according to common standards impossible. These conditions tend to become a concern for Social Work only when the situation escalates in such a way that either the person’s environment is considerably affected or the existential safety of those affected is threatened, for example, by eviction for legal reasons pertaining to rental, construction, or health law.

Collaborating with frequently uncooperative clients is often very difficult. The necessary coercive measures tend to trigger severe psychological escalations and traumatize those affected. The needs and reactions of the clients and therefore the choice of adequate actions largely depend upon the individual causes of the disorder.

In addition, the possibilities and skills of the individual are decisive for the outcome of Social Work. This is why this project determines the causes and psychosocial side-effects of this problem, discusses strategies and regulations, and proposes guidelines for practitioners of Social Work and best-practice examples of interventions as positive guidance by Social Work.