Safeguarding and Housing: What You Need to Know About Awaab’s Law

 Safeguarding and Housing: What You Need to Know About Awaab’s Law

In the world of safeguarding, we often focus on abuse, neglect, and emotional harm – but the environments children live in are just as important to their wellbeing. One tragic case has highlighted this issue like never before, and it's led to new legislation that every safeguarding professional should be aware of: Awaab’s Law.

Who was Awaab?

Awaab Ishak was a two-year-old boy from Rochdale who died in 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing flat. His death was preventable. Repeated complaints about the unsafe living conditions were ignored.

Awaab’s death shocked the nation and sparked widespread scrutiny of housing standards, particularly in the social housing sector. In response, Awaab’s Law has been introduced to ensure this never happens again.

 

What is Awaab’s Law?

Awaab’s Law, introduced as part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, places legal duties on social housing landlords to address hazards like damp and mould in a timely and effective manner. It comes into force as of October 2025.

Under the law, landlords must:

·        Investigate potential hazards within 14 days of a complaint.

·        Begin necessary repairs within 7 days after investigation.

·        Complete urgent repairs within 21 days.

If landlords fail to comply, tenants will have the right to escalate their concerns – and regulatory action can follow.

 

Why it matters to safeguarding

Poor housing isn’t just a maintenance issue – it's a safeguarding concern. Children living in damp, mould-infested environments are at risk of serious health issues, especially those with underlying conditions like asthma. These risks can contribute to neglect if left unresolved, whether due to systemic failings or a lack of advocacy.

Key safeguarding implications include:

·        Health risks: Mould, cold, and poor ventilation can exacerbate respiratory problems and lead to long-term health complications.

·        Emotional wellbeing: Living in unsafe housing can affect mental health, sleep, and stress levels in both children and adults.

·        Neglect: If parents or carers are unable to secure safe housing despite their efforts, children may be living in conditions that meet the threshold for neglect – particularly if there's no timely response from landlords.

 

What should safeguarding professionals do?

Be alert to housing conditions

During home visits or conversations, ask about living conditions. Don't ignore comments about damp, leaks, or illness linked to housing.

Record and refer

If a child is living in unsafe housing, ensure it’s documented in safeguarding records. Consider thresholds for Early Help or even a child protection referral if health is at significant risk.

Advocate for families

Support families in escalating concerns to landlords or housing authorities. Signpost to legal advice or community advocacy services if needed.

Work with multi-agency partners

Housing officers, health visitors, environmental health teams, and GPs all play a role. Share information where appropriate to build a full picture of risk.

Include housing in risk assessments

When completing Early Help assessments or Child and Family Assessments, ensure housing is thoroughly considered and evaluated.

 

Practical Steps for Safeguarding Professionals

 

1. Ask about housing

During assessments, home visits, or meetings, ask specific questions:

·        “Are there any problems with your home like damp, mould, or cold?”

·        “Have you reported it? Has anything been done?”

·        “Do you or your child get ill more in certain rooms or seasons?”

 

2. Observe and record

If you visit a home:

·        Look for visible signs of damp/mould or peeling walls

·        Note any smell or humidity

·        Record your observations factually in safeguarding records

·        Be specific: “Damp observed on lower walls of child’s bedroom; visible black mould near cot.”

 

3. Assess impact on the child

Use housing information as part of:

·        Early Help Assessments

·        Section 17/47 inquiries

·        Team Around the Family (TAF) reviews

·        Housing concerns can elevate risk thresholds and should be clearly documented.

 

4. Advocate and escalate

If a landlord is not responding:

·        Help the family write a clear, dated complaint (template letters can be useful)

·        Support escalation to the local council’s environmental health team

·        If there's a risk to health, refer to social care under neglect concerns

 

5. Share information

Use your multi-agency safeguarding arrangements to:

·        Link with housing officers or tenancy support workers

·        Bring housing issues to the safeguarding partnership

·        Consider using professional escalation procedures if concerns are dismissed

 

When does it become neglect?

Poor housing itself isn’t neglect, but failure to act when hazards are known may be. Ask:

·        Has the issue been reported, and has support been sought?

·        Is the child’s health or development being affected?

·        Are parents doing everything they reasonably can?

If there is persistent exposure to serious hazards despite attempts to resolve them, this can meet the threshold for neglect under statutory guidance.

 

Why this is a safeguarding issue?

Poor housing can contribute to neglect, health deterioration, and emotional harm – particularly in vulnerable families. Housing conditions should always be part of any assessment of a child’s wellbeing.

Professionals across education, social care, health, and housing should be alert to:

·        Persistent respiratory illness in children

·        Reports of damp/mould not being addressed

·        Parents expressing frustration or helplessness

·        Emotional or behavioural signs linked to poor home conditions

·        Frequent absences from school (linked to illness or shame)

 

Final thoughts

Awaab’s Law is a vital step forward in recognising the link between housing and safeguarding. As professionals, we have a responsibility to see the full context of a child’s life – and that includes the four walls they live in.

Awaab’s Law is a legal step, but the cultural shift it demands goes deeper. It reminds us that safeguarding doesn’t stop at the school gate or clinic door. The home environment is a critical part of the child’s world, and when it poses a risk, we must act.

Let Awaab’s story push us to ask the right questions, document concerns rigorously, and challenge systems that fail to protect our most vulnerable.

 

Useful links:

·        Gov.uk: Awaab’s Law Announcement

·        Housing Ombudsman – Complaint Process

·        NSPCC – Neglect Guidance

·        Your local Environmental Health Service

·        Healthy places | Hertfordshire County Council (whilst this service is aimed at Hertfordshire residents, the information they provide is available to all and ultimately highlights the risks of living in poor quality homes)