Ally and Nii
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
‘There’s a huge unmet need, there’s a gap for complex clients like [Ally].’
Ally, early 30s, is non-verbal, has physical and cognitive disability and requires 24/7 care.
About 10 years ago she moved to a group home.
Nii, her mum, told the Royal Commission the support ‘was okay, not too bad’ but the home was too far away and she wanted to visit Ally more often.
Recently Nii contacted a large disability provider about accommodation nearby. They convinced her they could support Ally’s complex needs.
‘I trusted them, you know. They had a good reputation and the therapists talk highly of them … They reassured me that all their staff are being trained and screened.’
The provider moved Ally to transition accommodation while they waited for the NDIA to review her supported independent living (SIL) funding.
Almost immediately Nii became concerned about the lack of staff and the high turnover of casual staff. No-one was able to get to know Ally and personalise her care.
When Nii tried to talk to staff and offer suggestions, they ignored her. When she made a complaint, they restricted her visits to a set time each day.
‘I feel very bullied, very intimidated by them. And the way they talk to me with no respect at all. When I tried to open my mouth and discuss, all I hear is, “Stop [Nii]. Stop.” That’s how they talk to me.’
After a few weeks Ally stopped eating and drinking and was crying a lot of the time.
‘Her face looked dehydrated, she went really skinny, she was dry, she was pale.’
Nii took Ally to hospital and they admitted her immediately.
Nii discovered the home was providing poor quality food – ‘pre-cooked frozen vegetables with very little meat and very little value in it’.
Staff were also ‘force-feeding’ Ally.
‘They had one person on the right and one person on the left holding her down.’
By the time Ally got to hospital she was psychotic and was there for almost a month.
Nii believes the provider was only interested in money.
‘They are not interested in providing … sufficient support for complex needs clients. They are very happy to take the funding. They see [Ally] as a cash cow. They love her funding. They still chased the SIL portion of [her] funding when she was in hospital even though they did not provide care for [her] for the [time] she was hospitalised.’
Nii refused to pay the provider because she felt they were ‘ripping off the NDIS’.
When Ally was discharged the provider refused to take her back, and Nii had to quit her job to look after her.
Nii made a complaint to the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission but is not confident anything will happen.
‘This is a provider who thinks they’re above the law … They bully us … they protect their own interests … they just want the dollars.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.