In a bid to further safeguard people living with disability, the Marshall Liberal Government is expanding its CCTV pilot in state-run disability homes following a successful South Australian-first three-month trial.
An additional $120,000 will be invested to trial cameras in at least five additional homes.
No significant incidents were captured during the initial three-month trial involving two southern suburbs supported accommodation homes – home to 10 clients.
The expanded trial will enable more data to be collected and this may include video capture of critical incidents.
Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink said the decision to expand the CCTV pilot was one of many safeguarding measures the Marshall Liberal Government had implemented.
"Any abuse or neglect against vulnerable South Australians is unacceptable and the safety and wellbeing of our clients and staff is a priority," said Minister Lensink.
"Not only do CCTV cameras act as a potential deterrent, their use has the potential to add an additional layer of safety and security for people living with disability, as well as for staff and that's why we've made the decision to expand this trial to more homes.
"The Marshall Liberal Government has implemented some of the strongest safeguards for people with disability ever enacted in South Australia.
"On coming into Government in March 2018, we discovered many aspects of supported accommodation needed reform.
"There is now more accountability across the board, with a new zero tolerance to abuse and neglect policy being implemented, among many other new safeguarding measures.
"As Minister, I insisted on more accountability in the critical client incident process and under this Government, staff are regularly reminded and encouraged to report incidents – no matter how big or small.
"Unlike previous Labor Ministers who were happy to be kept in the dark, I'm alerted when a critical client incident occurs and I lowered the threshold of what is classified as a critical client incident with an external, independent review of the process.
"Under this Government, any criminal offence allegations are reported to SA Police and incidents are promptly investigated."
The number of critical client incidents continues to trend downwards, peaking at 37 incidents in 2017.
DHS disability services supports approximately 500 clients with a range of complex, high-risk needs supported by 1,543 front-line staff.
Additional specific safeguarding measures enacted under the Marshall Liberal Government include:
- Established the Zero Tolerance to Abuse and Neglect policy.
- Increased education and training for staff on how to recognise and report suspected abuse or neglect.
- Restructured the service to increase supervision in group homes to better manage and mentor frontline support workers.
- Undertaken robust internal and external auditing.
- Recruited a team of quality and safeguarding officers to monitor and improve practice.
- Implemented announced and unannounced internal audit site visits of homes.
- Improved reporting through a new, anonymous complaints option for staff, clients and families.
- Begun pilot of CCTV in disability homes.
- Established a customer group to self-advocate for a greater voice in their support and access to community.
Critical Client Incident process:
- All complaints, incidents and care concerns raised in supported accommodation must be formally reported.
- Reported matters are then triaged and allocated for investigation.
- If deemed serious or critical in nature, the incident is declared a critical client incident. (CCI)
- The Marshall Liberal Government lowered the CCI threshold and incidents now include inappropriate physical contact that has not resulted in injuries being sustained.
- Unlike under Labor, the Minister is alerted to all CCIs.
- Staff are regularly reminded to report incidents. There is a current workplace campaign "If you see something, say something" for staff encouraging them to "respond, report and log" incidents.
