Ms Rachel Cassen:

We absolutely are on a very worrying trajectory. When for-profit providers come into this space, it is very problematic. It goes back to the vision we hold for people. When people are segregated from a young age and cast into devalued roles, this is where they end up. This is how their life trajectory pans out. When no support is provided to families and they are clearly struggling with a child in the family, then the cry for residential support comes forth. It takes us putting supports around people when they are young and having a vision for them to work, be integrated in communities and attend the same schools as their brothers and sisters. We cannot address any of these aspects in isolation. It really is an holistic belief that everybody belongs - all of us together, no "them" and "us". Otherwise, these horrendous outcomes happen. People are far from home in very isolated places and congregated together having their days and, indeed, their lives wasted.