Newton and Lada
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.
‘Please take the profit motive out of care for the disabled. We are all responsible to ensure that our fellow citizens have a lifestyle which meets minimum standards. This is why we pay taxes.’
Lada is the adoptive mother of Newton, her adult son with disability.
Lada told the Royal Commission that the transition from state-run disability services to the NDIS has seen a deterioration in the quality of support services provided to her son. It has been ‘a disaster’, she said.
Lada said that since moving into NDIS-approved private accommodation, Newton has been exploited financially and staff have a mindset of ‘if I can’t see it, it’s not happening’.
‘My son is now served by undertrained staff who are left to manage difficult behaviours from four residents. Their response is frequently to call police or lock themselves in the office. Behaviour management skills are totally missing.’
Newton was first placed in state care in his mid-teens due to ongoing issues of domestic violence at home. By 21, Newton was living on the streets, using alcohol and illicit drugs, and exhibiting dangerous behaviours.
Newton was appointed a case manager through the state health department. Lada said the case manager was incredibly supportive and found Newton accommodation in a supervised campus.
‘She supported us immeasurably and got to know my son well and the options open to us were always appropriate. I am indebted to her skill and commitment.’
But ‘the changeover to NDIS has never been of the same quality of service’.
During the phase-out period from the state service, Lada had been advised to contract a private case manager. Their role was to take Newton to accommodation services and investigate their availability and suitability.
‘[The case manager] sent me a bill for $2000 and the [health] worker and I subsequently discovered that my son had not been taken anywhere. I complained to the disability commissioner but they had no jurisdiction.’
Lada didn’t pay the bill and never heard from the case manager again.
Newton eventually moved into a supervised campus managed by a private provider. The experience has been traumatic for Newton and Lada.
Lada says she registered a complaint with NDIS about a staff member who was financially exploiting Newton. Nothing was done. It was only when she made a complaint about another offence that action was taken. ‘On the second offence only, the staffer was moved to another house. (I believe moved, not sacked),’ Lada said.
‘On a previous occasion when my son had again absconded, his unit was entered, and a computer stolen. Only staff had access to the unit. I didn't report this. I don't know how long these abuses had been enacted.’
Lada says the accommodation provider has a behaviour support team, but ‘to her knowledge [it] has never set foot on campus’. Previously there had been a full-time specialist who ‘constantly worked with clients and staff to settle issues’.
Lada feels the system now is ‘fractured’.
‘I deal with people who each have some training in a part of the chain but no overview. If I wasn't here I don't think my son would know who to turn to for help.’
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.