An intellectually disabled man was likely to have been physically and sexually assaulted while in residential care, a report lambasting his care provider says.
Photo: RNZ Pacific
A Health and Disability Commission report, released today, said the 22-year-old man, who is blind, was found to have a glove in his bowel as a result of a suspected sexual assault and was later burnt after a staff member's hot drink fell on him.
The man, called Mr B in the report, moved into a care facility run by IDEA Services in 2013, sharing with another man, Mr A, who was also intellectually disabled.
Mr A was known to have ongoing issues with exposing himself to others and spitting and, less frequently, masturbating in front of others.
Over the next two years Mr B was physically assaulted by his housemate - the incidents were recorded but not followed up.
In March 2015 Mr B became ill and was rushed to hospital.
A plastic surgical glove was found in his bowel, which had caused an infection.
An independent review commissioned by IDEA Services could not find who inserted the glove, but did come to the conclusion that it was most likely inserted by a third party as a result of a sexual assault.
In July 2015, Mr B was burnt after spilling a staff member's hot drink, which was left within his reach.
After that incident Mr B's mother took him out of the residential care facility and took him home to live with her.
The commission found IDEA Services failed to provide services to Mr B with reasonable care and skill.
It recommended that the care provider provide Mr B and his family with a written apology for the failings identified in its report.
The commission also recommended IDEA Services commission an independent review of its management plans for each client in its care and the training needs of support workers, including first aid.
