This policy explains the Isle of Wight council’s (IWC) position regarding the time period up to receiving a Court Order for safeguarding properties of adults being cared for away from home as identified in the Care Act 2014.

The framework will be followed by all professionals responsible for carrying out the protection of property as a delegated duty on the council’s behalf and ensures the council complies with legislation. 

If someone is being cared for away from their home, for example they are in hospital or temporarily supported in a care home and they are unable to make arrangements themselves or arrange for someone else to protect and secure their property, contents or pets, the IWC will take reasonable steps identified in Section 5.3 to protect their property, contents and pets. The council’s duty to protect the property ends when the person returns home, or when they are able to make their own arrangements for the protection of their property. The council will recover from the person all reasonable expenses incurred in protecting their property.