Agatha
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.
A few years ago, a small company providing accommodation for people with disability hired Agatha as a cook.
‘When I first got there, the boss was … getting me to blend [food that was off] and chuck in a sauce because “these people don't care”. That was what she was saying to me. “These people don't care.”’
Agatha’s job was also to dispense medication. When the company became an NDIS service provider, they asked her to clean as well as help with personal care and support for residents.
‘I was only getting paid $21 an hour or something.’
Agatha said initially the residents paid other NDIS service providers to take them to appointments and on outings, but ‘once the bosses realised they could make a lot of money, they've asked the residents just to cancel everything’.
Agatha said most of the residents didn’t realise what they were doing.
‘They got some of the residents to sign over … Like, they'd written notes, some as simple as, “I don't want you to be my provider anymore. I want to be with [the company]”, like that effect, and they got the residents to sign an X or a scribble … [Some residents] lost their art classes, they lost work participation because these people don't care if they do those things … They want all the money in-house.’
‘The caring for people, it just doesn't come into it. They're just a money-making machine.’
The company provided the services for which it could bill the NDIS.
‘I know guys that are being dragged down the tobacco shop. They don't even smoke, you know, and they're just being carted around in little groups for money … For example, like, one support worker drives to the local shop with one participant who then buys soft drinks for two other participants at home, and they charge three hours for that 10-minute ride.’
Agatha said the residents ‘don't know where to complain’ and can’t change providers again. Many have no family support.
‘They can't speak out because of the fear of the consequences from the staff, exclusion, eviction.’
Agatha said the company usually employs inexperienced staff.
‘A lot of them are friends of friends, or friends of staff. They've got no qualifications with medications … I've seen medications not being administered at times, or outside scheduled times.’
Agatha said the company asked her to sign ‘bogus reports’ on ‘things that hadn't happened or outings … that don’t happen, just to fill with hours’.
‘They've all been bodgie. Backdated. They're not true. They wouldn't match to any rosters. If someone audited that company, they would just fall apart. I don't know why no-one has.’
Agatha said she became distressed and a psychologist advised her to ‘leave the job so [she] could actually sleep’.
‘I developed such friendships and, oh gosh, I miss them. It was such a hard decision to leave,’ Agatha told the Royal Commission. ‘I'm worried about these people.’
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.