Title: Abuse in a British daycare facility.

Source: Experienced British Care Worker

Date received:  Oct 2018

Details:

The most horrific was whilst I was working for an agency in Marleybone in a daycare facility. The Deputy head was conducting a ‘cooking’ class where he made some sort of boiled slop with soy sauce and called it stir fry. As he finished cooking he turned his attention to a young autistic woman who had, in her left hand, a collection of small items. As I recall, a pen lid, a stone, a button and a small plastic block, a bit like a piece of lego.

Throughout the session, no attempt was made to communicate with her or any encouragement to release these items. No reassurance that she could have them back, in fact, no interaction at all. At ‘dinner time’ he called three other male members of staff to pin her down while he prized these items from her hands. She screamed throughout this ordeal and when it was over they sat her at the table for dinner. This horrified me and as soon as my shift ended I went to discuss this with the manager. I mentioned the impact this would have on the girl’s mental health. I suggested it was cruel, inappropriate and unacceptable. I was told the psychologist had given permission to treat her this way and it was the agreed protocol.

My contract was cut short and I wasn’t invited back there.