Children with Disabilities

14.1. Case Study

On a visit to a disabled teenager in residential care an advocate asked to take the young man out to the local park. He was told that two care staff would have to accompany him. The young man was strapped by each arm to a member of staff, the rationale being given that the young man would run away. On further investigation by the advocate it transpired this practice had been going on for several years without review. The advocate challenged the approach and after much perseverance the young man was allowed to visit the park with his advocate without being strapped to anyone. (Source: The Children’s Society, as cited by gov.uk, July 2009)