Kaylene and Nathalia
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.
Kaylene lives in a group home managed by a service provider. She uses a wheelchair and needs support for all personal care.
Her mum Nathalia told the Royal Commission that Kaylene stays with her at least two nights a week. ‘I do this in order to assess how my daughter is.’
She said she shouldn’t have to do this because ‘the accommodation provider receives a huge amount of funding’ to provide care for Kaylene.
But Nathalia doesn’t trust the provider. There have been instances of unexplained bruising and staff often leave Kaylene to cry for extended periods. Nathalia needed to show staff how to properly care for Kaylene. ‘It’s a total disaster,’ she said.
‘Why do I need to explain to people who are carers – and should know better – what level of care is or isn’t acceptable?’
Recently, Kaylene was involved in an accident. She was in her wheelchair in the back of a vehicle. The support worker who was driving braked suddenly. The vehicle didn’t hit anything and there was no other car involved.
Kaylene, in her wheelchair, was flung around inside the vehicle. She hit the side, broke a tooth and sustained cuts, grazes and bruises.
The support worker hadn’t secured Kaylene’s wheelchair properly.
‘I understand this is human error and can happen to anyone. My concern though is at the lack of transparency from the accommodation provider regarding the incident.’
The provider conducted a brief investigation. The driver said she turned around and found Kaylene bleeding and up against the side of the car. When the provider asked the support worker why she braked she said she didn’t know. She refused to say anything else.
Nathalia said the ‘lack of integrity, honesty and transparency is unbearable’. After the accident she no longer trusted the support worker. ‘Since she cannot be honest, I refuse to allow her to work with my daughter.’
Kaylene needed her tooth fixed, so Nathalia tried to complete an insurance claim – it was ‘a nightmare’. The insurance company needed details about the accident and how it happened, but the provider continually delayed giving Nathalia their report into the accident.
Nathalia made a formal written complaint to the provider. The provider transferred the support worker to another group home they managed.
‘I feel helpless as I know another vulnerable person is now at risk and no matter how many times I express this fear, no action is taken on their part. I feel the secrecy and lack of transparency is appalling.’
Nathalia would like cameras installed in group homes just as they are in many workplaces. ‘That way parents and friends can monitor their loved ones wellbeing. My attitude to this is if you’re not doing anything wrong, then what’s the problem?’
Providers should also be compelled, Nathalie said, to disclose the results of investigations.
‘Currently they are able to keep everything “in-house” – a cover-up.’
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.