Coroner urges revamp after autistic boy drowns

[Guest guest]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/19/3116596.htm

Coroner urges revamp after autistic boy drowns

Updated Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:46pm AEDT

An inquest into the death of an autistic Tasmanian boy who died while in state

care has recommended major changes to staffing and training.

Kelty, 15, and his carer 27-year-old n Dermody drowned off Clifton

Beach in March 2008 while on an excursion with another autistic child.

Coroner Glenn Hay has handed down his findings into Kelty's death,

saying no one person was the blame but he outlined shortcomings.

During the inquest 's mother raised concerns that the Department of

Children's Services had failed to adequately supervise her son.

Other carers testified about a lack of training and staff.

Mr Hay recommended an assessment of staff-to-child ratios, especially for

excursions to potentially hazardous areas.

Staff should be trained in the particular needs of each child and the department

should develop a policy on the planning and approval of excursions.

The boy's mother, Peta Kelty, welcomed the recommendations and is now

considering pursuing legal action against the State Government.

" Everything that I've said all along has been proven to be true, " she said.

The Department says it will " carefully consider " Mr Hay's findings.