Latest news with #residentialcare
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Middlesbrough disabled woman says getting care 'is a fight'
A disabled woman who has had her council care package reduced said people like her should not have to "fight for appropriate care".Jennifer Gallacher who has the muscle-weakening disease spinal muscular atrophy type 2, lives with her parents and has a team of carers who provide one-to-one, 24-hour she said a recent review by Middlesbrough Council decided that she would have to pay for extra carer visits or move into a residential home because her parents need a respite 42-year-old, who has limited mobility and needs help getting out of bed and dressing, said residential care was not the "right place" for her. The council declined to comment. She said she did not believe she would receive one-to-one care in a residential home and that the council did not appreciate "the benefits of staying at home with carers she knows and trusts".Victoria Coates, one of Ms Gallacher's carer, said decisions on care should not come down to money."The money they're (the council) are quibbling over, they probably spend on stationery per month - this is someone's life." Ms Gallacher added: "Disabled people are bullied into putting up with the least possible provision from councils."Too often they are targeted for any benefits they are capable of getting from councils and the government."Care should not be a fight." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
ABC News
7 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
'Scary' child safety system in spotlight ahead of Queensland inquiry
As Queensland's inquiry into the child safety system announces its first public hearing will begin next week, Dakota McSpadden hopes the process will overhaul the "inadequate'' system she experienced as a child. "It never felt like care; it felt like punishment." Ms McSpadden, now aged 20, came to the attention of child safety at the age of nine, was homeless by 13 and entered residential care at 15. Residential care or "resi", as it is known by some, provides a environment where children as young as 12 live together under the watch of a social worker. Ms McSpadden said it was meant to be supportive, "but it was chaos". "People [in resi] turned a blind eye to what I was doing — I needed help … I never got consequences," she said. "I would act out in anger because I was so scared, and I think that's what a lot of kids do." The Sunshine Coast woman is one of many Queenslanders making a submission to the state government's review into what Premier David Crisafulli has called a "broken" child safety system. Led by former Federal Court judge Paul Anastassiou KC, the LNP's 18-month inquiry is examining how the state supports vulnerable children, including its growing reliance on residential care. As of July 2025, more than 2,000 children were in residential care in Queensland, up from 435 in 2015, according to government records. Residential care becomes an option when foster or kinship placements are not available or suitable. Typically, it is for children over 12, but the government's Residential Care Policy provides for children under 12 to be placed into residential care in "specific circumstances". Rebecca Scott has been a foster carer for 15 years in Queensland and Victoria, and spent a year as a residential care support worker on the Sunshine Coast. She described residential care as "confronting" and "unsafe". In one incident, a 10-year-old held a screwdriver to her throat. "These kids were just trying to out-tough each other." Ms Scott said the children often perceived residential care as a rule-free option. "They sabotage their foster homes to get into resi, then they realise it's scary, volatile," she said. Ms Scott said upon leaving resi to start adult life, many young people were ageing out of the system without any support systems in place. "They're turning 18, and they've got no relationship with foster carers or biological family — no one to turn to except kids they met in residential care," she said. The experience has left her convinced that the system is failing both children and carers. "These kids don't need more workers — they need parents," Ms Scott said. The commission's formal opening and first public hearing is set for next Wednesday, July 23, at Brisbane Magistrates Court. A spokesperson for the commission said it was committed to hearing from people with lived experience. Submissions can be made online and public hearings will be held throughout regional Queensland, with those details to be released this month. The commissioner has also had his first regional visit. He recently met with stakeholders during a two-day visit to Townsville, "where there is a significant demand for child safety services", according to the commission's spokesperson. It is not the first time there has been an inquiry into the state's child protection system. Millions of dollars have been spent over the last 25 years on multiple inquiries, resulting in hundreds of recommendations being handed down. The Create Foundation — Australia's peak body representing the 12,500 children and young people in the state's care system — hopes this process will finally result in meaningful change. But in order for that to happen, chief executive officer Imogen Edeson said it must hear the voices of those with firsthand experience. "They talk about coercive practices, constant staff changes, and not feeling at home. Some are left to navigate the system alone." State Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm also urged those with lived experience to come forward, but warned Queenslanders would be "shocked by the stories" that emerged from the inquiry. Ms Scott, who has had 72 children in her care since 2000, intends to share her firsthand experience. She is calling for more permanent care options, better support for foster carers, and a limit to residential care settings that lack support for young people. Ms Scott said residential care — where there was "no consequences, no consistency" — needed more structure. Ms Scott argued more support for foster carers "when we set rules" could reduce the number of children heading to resi. "Let us make the mistakes … and then let us repair from them, just like a biological parent would," she said. Reflecting on her years in residential care, 20-year-old Dakota McSpadden said having access to support workers with lived experience would make a huge difference to young people in the system. Ms McSpadden will also be advocating for accessible and ongoing mental health support, safe spaces outside hospital, and greater peer connection and emotional support. "If kids knew there's others going through the same thing, they could help each other," she said. The inquiry is due to provide its final report to the state government by November 30, 2026.
The Independent
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Paedophile blames Starmer for ‘damning' teachers accused of historic abuse
A paedophile who was convicted at two separate trials of abusing children in residential care has told an inquiry that Sir Keir Starmer had created a situation where anyone accused of historic abuse was 'damned'. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is investigating abuse in residential settings including boarding schools, religious establishments and foster care. The current phase of the inquiry is examining the provision of residential care in establishments for children and young people with long-term healthcare needs, additional support needs, and disabilities. Brian Dailey, 78, was convicted in 2017 and also 2022 of a total of 21 charges, of which 16 were sex offences, spanning 1969 to 1984. Seven of the complainants had been pupils at Woodfield Ladymary in Edinburgh where he was a houseparent. In 2017 he was jailed for 10 years and in 2022 he was sentenced to 15 years at the High Court in Glasgow, which was later reduced to 12 years. Dailey appeared at the inquiry by videolink on Tuesday and said 'children do tell lies', insisting he will protest his innocence until he dies. He also told the inquiry: 'I've never raped anyone.' Dailey criticised the Prime Minister and said: 'Keir Starmer, when director of public prosecutions, said any child had to be believed. Children, believe it or not, do lie.' Justice is devolved in Scotland and Sir Keir covered England and Wales in his former role as head of the Crown Prosecution Service. Inquiry chairwoman Lady Smith said: 'You have convictions for offences against 13 complainers from four different institutions over 15 years, are you suggesting they got together to make it up?' Dailey said: 'I'm not suggesting anything, children tell lies, if adults keep believing these lies the children can get more and more drawn into the lie and find themselves totally abandoned with nothing else to do but continue this lie.' Lady Smith said: 'Are you suggesting that if children have been abused they shouldn't come forward?' Dailey said: 'That is a complete fabrication. There was a time when responsible adults didn't just believe what children said. 'I have every sympathy for children who have been abused but they should be treated properly. There are some of us who are innocent but they get caught up. 'As soon as they hear the word 'historic abuse' they say 'he is guilty', he is damned from the word go, everything he says is taken as rubbish.' The UK Government did not wish to comment. Counsel inquiry Ruth Innes KC read from Dailey's statement, which said: 'I never abused a single soul.' Dailey said: 'That's my position, it always has been and it will be until the day I die.' Earlier on Tuesday, the inquiry heard from a teacher who was acquitted of abusing children and who claimed many allegations were made due to people hoping for compensation. The man, who was referred to using the pseudonym Harry after he was acquitted at a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, said he was unaware of abuse occurring when he worked at Starley Hall School, a residential school in Fife, but believed now that it must have gone on. Giving evidence, he said he recalled a school worker telling him he had been charged with abuse and did not know the outcome. However he told the inquiry he believed police had 'coached youngsters' to make allegations, after he was charged in 2022, but later cleared. Harry said: 'It seemed they were told 'if you have been abused you can claim compensation'.' A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'All reports of sexual abuse will be thoroughly investigated by Police Scotland irrespective of when a crime took place. 'Victims will be fully supported by specially trained officers and partner agencies throughout. 'We are very aware of how difficult it can be to report being a victim of child abuse. We will listen, we will investigate. 'Police Scotland is fully supportive of, and engaged with, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.' The inquiry continues.
The Independent
15-07-2025
- The Independent
Teacher acquitted of child abuse claims allegations ‘motivated by compensation'
A teacher who was acquitted of abusing children claimed he believed many allegations were made due to people hoping for compensation, an inquiry has heard. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is investigating abuse in residential settings including boarding schools, religious establishments and foster care. The current phase of the inquiry is examining the provision of residential care in establishments for children and young people with long-term healthcare needs, additional support needs, and disabilities. The man, who was referred to using the pseudonym Harry after he was acquitted at a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, said he was unaware of abuse occurring when he worked at Starley Hall School, a residential school in Fife, but believed now that it must have gone on. Giving evidence, he said he recalled a school worker telling him he had been charged with abuse and did not know the outcome. However he told the inquiry he believed police had 'coached youngsters' to make allegations, after he was charged in 2022, but later cleared. Harry said: 'It seemed they were told 'if you have been abused you can claim compensation'.' Counsel for the inquiry Ruth Innes KC put to him allegations that he had shoved a child into a wall during a lesson, watched the boy showering and been inappropriately close to him, which the man denied, however he said he 'could have' seen the child showering as he previously told how there were no cubicles and staff had to supervise the children. He denied further allegations made by a female ex-pupil that he had dragged her by her hair, and put his hand around her throat and pushed her. He claimed police had 'coached youngsters to make allegations more serious so it could become a charge'. Harry said: 'It is nearly 30 years since the allegations came to light, it became clear during the court case that the youngsters had been coached so they could claim compensation.' Inquiry chairwoman Lady Smith said: 'Who do you think had coached them?' Harry said: 'The police I think – to make the allegations more of a charge, to make it more serious.' The man was given the names of three men who worked at the school and had been accused of abuse in the criminal courts, and said regarding each individual that he did not see cause for concern, and did not maintain contact after leaving the school in 1998. When allegations made against him by an ex-pupil were put to him, Harry said: 'It didn't happen.' Ms Innes said: 'You were charged with various offences in 2022, there was a High Court trial and the charges were withdrawn.' Harry said: 'I was acquitted.' However, he told the inquiry he wished there had been more child protection measures at the school and that he could not recall an inspection. In a statement, he added: 'I must have had blinkers on because as far as I could see there was no abuse going on.' Ms Innes said: 'If there was abuse going on, would you expect it to come to light?' Harry said: 'No, obviously I didn't.' The inquiry continues.
ABC News
03-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Babies among children in Queensland's residential care system as major child protection inquiry begins
Queensland's child safety minister has declared she wants fewer kids in the residential care system and says she has even visited facilities looking after babies. A new commission of inquiry probing Queensland's child protection system kicked off its work this week, with hearings set to commence soon. In an interview with the ABC, Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm said she expected Queenslanders will be shocked by the stories that emerge from the inquiry. "I have families and young people that have contacted me directly, children who have reached out to the child family commissioner sharing those stories," she said. "[I've heard] stories of sexual abuse and sexual assault that exist within the residential care system. "There's harrowing cases — cases of children who have attempted suicide in care because of their mental health, because they're not getting the support that they need." Ms Camm said she wanted children and young people who were currently or had previously been in the system to tell their stories to the inquiry. She also promised protections for people who wanted to remain anonymous, and anticipates the commission will share de-identified stories. "We also know that many across the [child safety] department are doing an incredible job. But those that may not have, I certainly want to uncover that as well. "And I want there to be accountability at the end of this commission for anyone who may not have been doing the things that they needed to be doing to protect children." In December 2015, there were 650 Queensland kids in residential care — but by December last year, that figure climbed to 2,212. Ms Camm said she wanted that number to fall and declared the government's priority was for kids to be placed in family-based care, such as kinship and foster care. "Residential care was designed as a last resort for young adolescent children, so teenagers who couldn't be placed in foster and kinship care," she said. "It was designed for a small period of time as a crisis response. The minister said she had visited residential care facilities that were looking after babies, amid an increase in children under 12 in the system. She said the children received 24/7 support from carers. "That is not the same as being in family-based care. "And we don't truly know the damage that that can do to a young child, particularly in their development years and through the period where they need to attach and feel love and feel secure in a family." The commission of inquiry, which is headed up by Paul Anastassiou KC, is due to hand down its final report in November next year. Ms Camm defended the length of the inquiry, saying the system was "so big", and also noted the commission would deliver interim reports. She would not say if the government would accept all the recommendations from the inquiry. "[The] government will consider all of those recommendations. We will take some time to consider those," Ms Camm said. Prior to the election, the government promised to introduce a "dual carer" model by 2030, ensuring all residential care facilities always have two carers. Ms Camm said she was open to legislating the requirement, after the government put $10.9 million towards the initiative in the most recent budget. She also said she remained committed to a new independent complaints process for the system and is confident it will be set up before the next election. "We do need a level of independence to ensure that both carers but also children and families feel heard." Ms Camm said the commission of inquiry had been tasked to recommend a way to establish a complaints process.
