Scout, Aubrielle and Fred
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.
‘I fear for [Scout]. I fear for her every night. I’ll fear for her for the rest of my life … We just want to make it right for her.’
Scout, mid 40s, has an intellectual disability, limited verbal communication skills and requires 24/7 support.
Aubrielle and Fred, her parents, have looked after her all her life. They told the Royal Commission they worry about what will happen to Scout when they die.
A few years ago, after spending five years preparing Scout, they transitioned her into supported accommodation.
Just before the move, they visited the house which was close by. They met the other resident but didn’t have a chance to meet any of the staff.
‘That concerned me because [Scout] just doesn’t relate to new people at all. She never has. She takes a while to study people, and she works them out pretty well,’ Aubrielle said.
Although the house was brand-new it wasn’t purpose-built for people with disability. The hallways were tiled, and Scout can slip and fall easily.
Straight away, there were issues with staff. The home ‘churned through so many’ and Scout ‘didn’t know who was coming into the bedroom the next morning’. She started to rebel – banging her head, throwing things out of her room and refusing to get out of bed.
All her life Scout has had a set routine. She showers to help her wake up, then has breakfast and then takes her medication. Although Aubrielle explained the importance of the routine, staff ignored it to suit themselves. When she raised her concerns, the house manager shut her down telling her Scout preferred the new routine.
One time, Scout showed Aubrielle her knee and told her she’d fallen. The house manager called out from the hallway, ‘Oh yes, [Scout] had a fall.’ Staff hadn’t provided first aid or written an incident report. Another time Scout was covered in mosquito bites and the doctor prescribed antibiotic cream. A week later the bites were all infected and Aubrielle discovered staff hadn’t even opened the cream.
One evening Aubrielle found Scout ‘whimpering in the bathroom’. She had bruises on her arms that looked like thumbprints. Aubrielle met with the area manager who told her Scout must have ‘done it to herself’, but Aubrielle didn’t believe this.
Aubrielle became increasingly concerned about other aspects of Scout’s care.
The food the home provided was often premade or frozen. Scout is a type 2 diabetic and it is important she has fresh nutritional meals.
Staff rarely took Scout out into the community. One weekend outing was a 10-minute drive.
Scout needs help to clean her teeth properly and staff refused to assist. After seven months, Scout’s teeth were ‘terrible’ and she had to have a general anaesthetic to remove a tooth.
When Aubrielle and Fred made complaints, management told them ‘outright lies’ or ignored the issues. Aubrielle contacted an advocate who helped her make a complaint to head office, but instead of addressing her concerns they told her she could not visit the house without ringing first.
Fred said ‘the situation was intolerable’ and they moved Scout home.
Scout is now living in a new house with four other people. It is better, but while she loves the company and social aspect, it is still hard to get the support she needs.
‘I want to die knowing [Scout] will be looked after for the rest of her life. I don’t want to die thinking oh well, she’s with such and such now, what happens if they die,’ Aubrielle said.
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.