Video: Supporting a family unable to move into adapted accommodation during lockdown and explaining Coronavirus to someone with learning difficulties

Jane Weakley and case manager Debjani Roy from Brownbill Associates discuss supporting a family unable to move into adapted accommodation during lockdown and explaining Coronavirus to someone with learning difficulties.

Following successful settlement in a brain injury case that left a young girl, now 13, with cerebral palsy after medical staff at Northwick Park Hospital mismanaged her mother's labour, Jane Weakley talks to occupational therapist Debjani Roy about the support being provided to the family who were about to move into adapted accommodation the day lockdown began.

The girl, referred to as Sarah because of an anonymity order, has restricted mobility, limited communication skills and needs constant care. The family had been delighted that the settlement would pay for an electric wheelchair to give Sarah more independence, but she has not been able to use it because of lack of space in their current accommodation.

Their new, adapted home was almost ready for them move into but was just missing some safety measures such as handrails that, because of lockdown, could not be installed.

Another important aspect of keeping families safe is dealing with understandable anxiety over COVID-19 for someone with learning difficulties. As well as watching videos specifically aimed at children and people with learning difficulties, Sarah's family is 'practicising' wearing masks so that Sarah gets used to them and is ready for carers in full PPE eventually coming into the home.