Life Without Barriers accepts numerous adverse findings proposed by Counsel Assisting

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability will hold an additional day of Public hearing 20 on Thursday 28 April 2022 commencing 10:00am (AEST).

During the hearing, Senior Counsel Assisting, Patrick Griffin SC, will outline proposed findings that could be considered by the Royal Commission in relation to two case studies examined during Public Hearing 20 in December 2021. Both cases involve recent experiences of people with disability in homes run by Life Without Barriers (LWB) in Melbourne, Victoria and on the Far North Coast of New South Wales.

Some of the proposed adverse findings relate to:

  • the care provided to residents in homes run by LWB
  • record-keeping regarding the personal care of residents (relating to one of the two case studies)
  • the compatibility of residents in the Melbourne home where ongoing violence occurred
  • the level of communication between LWB and resident’s families
  • the levels of staffing and turnover of disability support workers in LWB homes
  • the adequacy of supervision and oversight by management.

“The two case studies raise the fundamental question of whether LWB could have done more to ensure that each of the residents could live safely, freely and independently in their homes,” Mr Griffin summarised in the opening of the hearing last year.

In his oral submissions Mr Griffin will draw specific attention to the role played by senior management of LWB.

When appearing at the hearing in December 2021, LWB Chief Executive Officer Ms Claire Robbs publicly apologised to the residents living in the homes and their families and stated; “It deeply saddens me that for the people who have shared their stories with the Disability Royal Commission, our organisation has not met this promise [to change lives for the better],”

 “The views and experiences of these people and their families have highlighted several areas where harm has been caused and we acknowledge and offer our deepest regret,” Ms Robbs told the Royal Commission.

The additional day of the hearing will be live-streamed on the homepage of the Royal Commission website and include live captioning and Auslan-English interpreters.

Please note journalists should register (in advance if possible) with the Disability Royal Commission media team for a Lexel log-in code to be allocated.

Please direct all inquiries to the Disability Royal Commission Media team on 0436 841 066 or via our email DRCmedia@royalcommission.gov.au.