Sarah Oliver
A Sydenham supported residential service facility will be overseen by administrators following a state government investigation into the facilities.
An investigation found that the operator of Sydenham Grace and Melton South facility Gracemanor were not meeting the stringent regulations in place to protect the interests, health and wellbeing of 34 residents.
The homes were run by Grace Disability Services.
In a statement, the Department of Families Fairness and Housing said that multiple breaches were found including bullying, intimidation, coercion, and abuse, unsafe, unhygienic, and uninhabitable living conditions, insufficient quality and quantity of food and inadequate provision of personal and health care.
The investigation also found improper storage and provision of medications, hindering access to NDIS and health services, opening private mail and forging resident’s signatures, failing to keep, and falsifying, records and incident reports, insufficient staffing, other compliance failures, and obstructing communications between residents and their appointed guardians.
The facilities’ residents will now be supported by Wintringham, a specialised welfare organisation, and Ernst and Young has been appointed as the administrator.
“The Human Services Regulator is continuing to investigate this matter and is liaising with a range of stakeholders – including the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, the NDIA and Public Advocate – to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people living at the two facilities,” the department’s statement read.
“Appointing administrators under the Supported Residential Services (Private Proprietors) Act 2010 is a significant action by the regulator.”
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing acting secretary Ben Rimmer said: “The regulator will take strong action if operators are found to be doing the wrong thing.
“This is a very significant action and the culmination of an extensive investigation. The regulator has moved with absolute determination to protect the welfare of residents. I would like to thank the people who came forward to support their investigation.”
Grace Disability Services was contacted for comment.
