Odin and Yanis
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‘I believe the organisation is aware they are abrogating their duty of care and some form of investigation is required.’
Yanis told the Royal Commission she is concerned about the limited support her brother Odin and other residents receive in their group home.
Odin lives with epilepsy, asthma, a spinal disorder and intellectual disability.
Support staff at the group home are rostered from 6:30 – 9:30 am and 3 – 10 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends. ‘There are no changes to this routine to allow for public holidays or any other event that requires supervision, for example, a release from hospital or COVID lockdowns,’ Yanis said.
Yanis supports Odin on these occasions because she’s worried if something happens at the home Odin won’t be able to contact her.
Residents can use the phone when a support worker is on duty but it is locked in the office when there isn’t. An emergency alarm is linked to emergency services, but Yanis is worried about non-emergency situations.
During the recent COVID-19 lockdowns, Odin and another resident were left unattended during the day.
When Yanis discovered this she decided to bring Odin home for two days a week. But she was concerned about the other days and frustrated she was ‘shouldering the responsibility of the organisation’.
Then Odin was assaulted, and she increased her care again – to three days a week.
‘The assault occurred over the other resident hogging the phone – a situation that was an ongoing contentious issue. [Odin] took the phone from him, so the other resident assaulted him.’
Yanis said support staff were aware the phone created tension and should have been supervising the residents.
Odin was taken to hospital and needed stitches in his face.
Initially Yanis was told that Odin threw the first punch. But Odin ‘is too unstable on his feet to be able to punch anyone,’ Yanis said.
Then they told Yanis the assault was just ‘unlucky’.
‘I see the situation differently. [Odin] was asked if he wanted to press charges against the other resident, but he said "no". He doesn't understand the full implication of the assault, nor the "duty of care" required of the organisation.’
Yanis asked for ‘the procedures and guidelines governing the organisation and was met with, "I don't know what you mean”.’
When she asked for all the information relating to Odin she was told she could have it ‘if [Odin] agrees’.
‘This appears to be a new strategy to keep me uninformed and in the dark.’
Yanis’ believes the support worker who was on duty failed in her duty of care and should be dismissed and have her accreditation revoked.
Yanis would like overnight supervision introduced and public holidays to be treated the same as a Saturday or Sunday with all-day supervision. If a resident is sick and needs to stay home, the organisation should provide appropriate care. And residents need to be able to use the phone whenever they want.
‘I hope in the future we engage only carers who have "heart". I have come across some very lovely, supportive people during this crisis, but wouldn't it be lovely if all people in the caring industry were like them.’
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.