A Sydney-based disability services provider under investigation by a royal commission says it welcomes the scrutiny and will look to the inquiry for insights to improve its care and programs.
Its recently appointed chief executive has also apologised for the abuse suffered by a number of young men at one of its day programs.
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is conducting a week-long hearing into services provided by the Australian Foundation for Disability, also known as Afford.
It has been told about the abuse of a number of young men by a carer at Afford’s Mt Druitt day program and concerns other staff had over the rapid growth of the organisation and the impact that had on the quality and safety of its services.
The inquiry is on Thursday is taking evidence from Afford’s new CEO Joanne Toohey, who was appointed in October last year.
The group fully supported the work of the commission and recognised the impact and importance of the public hearings, Ms Toohey said.
“The disability royal commission is an incredibly important process for us,” she added in a statement ahead of her evidence.
“It will provide us with additional insight and information to better understand how we can continue to improve our care and services for the people we support, their carers and families, and what new mechanisms and initiatives need to be implemented.
“Along with the team I have recently appointed at Afford, I am absolutely committed to continuing the restructure and transformation of our organisation to ensure the people in our care are given every opportunity to live their best life.”
Earlier this week, the commission heard evidence from the mothers of three young men who were abused by a carer at the Mt Druitt service in Sydney’s west and who was jailed for more than three years for his crimes.
His conduct included recording and sharing intimate images and videos of the young men as well as hitting and taunting them.
One of the mothers also criticised the services provided to her son by Afford, describing it as glorified babysitting.
In her statement, Ms Toohey offered an apology to the families involved and said the lived experiences of people with a disability were deeply upsetting.
She said they shone a light on the need for significant measures necessary for greater equality and understanding.
“I want to personally and on behalf of Afford send my deepest sympathies to the impacted people and their families for the failings and heartache caused,” Ms Toohey said.
