Disabled teenager locked up, sedated
An intellectually disabled teenager is heavily sedated in a mental health unit because Child, Youth and Family (CYF) cannot find anywhere else for him to go.
One former carer said CYF raised the possibility of placing the 15 year old in an ‘‘adult men’s lockup or a motel with two security guards’’ after recent violent behaviour. He is likely to remain in the hospital unit until a longterm placement can be found.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has had numerous placements since he was placed in state care aged eight.
He has been living in The Princess Margaret Hospital’s child, adolescent and family (CAF) inpatient unit in Christchurch for more than two weeks after he caused damage at a disability residence.
He was on several medications, including melatonin, to help him sleep, plus antipsychotic Risperidone and Propranolol.
The teen’s former caregiver and advocate, Leo de Schot, wanted CYF to find him a long-term placement and accept responsibility for what he said were 15 years of failings. ‘‘They’ve got nowhere else to put him,’’ he said.
‘‘They’ve got him on triple medication to try and control his behaviour. It isn’t working.’’
CYF southern regional director Theresa Perham said the boy had a set of complex needs that required high levels of support but a longterm solution was being sought.
‘‘His care is made more challenging by significant behavioural issues,’’ she said.
Temporary motel accommodation was raised in a general discussion but was not put forward as an option, she said. ‘‘We are working with health professionals to find suitable living arrangements that will match his specific needs and behavioural issues. The regional disability adviser and high needs manager have been working along with Ministry of Health officials to find a suitable placement. We will have a support plan for him as soon as possible.’’
‘We’ve been doing this for 18 years and we’ve never had any support from you guys ever . . .’ Former caregiver Leo de Schot talking about CYF
The boy and his sister lived with their mother in Auckland until he was eight. They were then placed into their father’s care.
They were then placed with de Schot and his wife for more than two years before their father regained custody of the siblings, despite his mental health and addiction issues.
Their father, who begins drug rehabilitation on Monday, also wanted a long-term home for his son. ‘‘It’s hard enough looking after yourself when you’re like that [using drugs], never mind two children,’’ he said.
The children returned to de Schot in an ‘‘informal’’ arrangement in March last year. On December 30, de Schot told CYF they would have to step away from day-to-day care of the teenager.
‘‘I said, ‘We’ve been doing this for 18 years and we’ve never had any support from you guys ever on the way through’.’’
On December 28, the teenager was admitted to the CAF unit for the first time after he damaged property during a home visit in Auckland. A police spokeswoman said he was taken into police custody at Christchurch Airport after he became violent and disruptive on a flight.
A Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) report said the teen was presenting with ‘‘extremely challenging behaviour, aggression and agitation’’ after a visit with his mother in Auckland.
He was initially cared for in the Psychiatric Services for Adults with Intellectual Disability at Hillmorton Hospital and was then transferred to the child wing when a space became available. On January 5, he was discharged from the CAF unit and went home to the de Schot family, who were provided with some respite care.
On January 31, he went to Christchurch disability care facility Brackenridge. He was unable to deal with sudden changes, such as when a caregiver became sick and was replaced, de Schot said.
He said a hospital unit was not an appropriate place long-term for the teenager. ‘‘I don’t want him in a lockup. I want him to be in a house where he has care and follows the correct behaviour programmes we’ve put in place.’’