Crisis for family of 4 stuck in cycle of disadvantage through systemic barriers
My client is mother with two sons, the eldest has been diagnosed with ASD and cannot be left unsupervised whilst she is also nursing a 9-month-old. It was also only recently that she received an official diagnosis for ADHD and has started medication and trauma therapy as part of her recovery plan. Her husband is going through an acute mental health crisis which required hospitalisation. She is now having to care for every member of her family. Due to his health, he has had to resign which means there will be no income aside from the meagre parenting payment. She had a particularly traumatising experience with clinicians in the hospital, and this had resulted in DCJ stepping in, conducting a home visit the same afternoon that her husband was discharged despite her concerns for his ongoing safety. Final paycheck was used to cover rent, but they have no ongoing means to provide food, medical fees and the therapies that mum, dad and son need to maintain their wellbeing.