David (not his real name) said the council launched a safeguarding investigation against him after he raised concerns that his sister’s social worker had exhibited “racial discrimination and racial malice”.
He said shortly after he enquired about making a formal complaint, he was told the investigation had been launched.
He has been told the council suspects him of “coercive and controlling” behaviour towards his sister, who was born with a disability, and is considering removing her from his care.
“I believe it was a retaliative act,” he said. “I completely left it after that because I was so frightened. I never took the racism complaint any further. I dropped it.”
David said no complaints or allegations had been made against him by anybody besides council staff.
He contacted the Ham&High because he feared Camden may have targeted other carers in the same way.
“They are just a nasty bunch of bullies,” he asserted. “This is extremely alarming. It’s disgraceful.”
In an email seen by this newspaper, a social worker told David he would be given the council’s alleged evidence before it interrogated him a meeting on June 10.
But a later email withdrew that offer and he said no evidence was ever supplied before the meeting.
The council is now deliberating over he and his sister’s fate.
Questioned by the Ham&High, Camden claimed it had supplied David with everything it had. It could not explain why a social worker had sent an email suggesting there was more to be disclosed.
David called the situation “absurd and bizarre”.
He said allegations included that he was socially isolating his sister, when in truth she attends constant medical appointments and regularly visits a local community centre.
“Recently, she is actually out of her wheelchair and walking, which doctors never believed she would do,” he said.
“Just as my sister is prospering in the community and thriving, the social worker attempts to destroy things.
“It is absurd for them to accuse me of abuse when actually, her condition is so good it is practically a miracle.
“They have only sent me a summary of their allegations. A summary is not good enough. They are laying claims that I have abused my vulnerable sister. There is no bigger claim you can make against someone.
“They are placing me in a position where I am effectively put on trial without knowing the details so I can refute them.”
Told the council now claims it has given him everything it has, he responded: “How dare they accuse me of being abusive without any evidence?”
He said the investigation was instigated after he fought a decision to remove his sister’s independent disability advocate funding, during which he enquired about filing a discrimination complaint.
“They have treated her like trash,” David alleged. “They have no regard for her.”
He questioned how the council could accuse him of trying to isolate and control his sister after he spent years fighting for her to retain an independent advocate.
“No advocate has ever raised any concern about abuse or mistreatment,” David said.
“Nor have her medical team or any support workers. Everything is completely positive.”
He said part of the summary he had been sent by the council, outlining his supposedly abusive behaviour, referred to him “having disputes with the council and sending people emails and complaints”.
He described the safeguarding investigation as the council’s “revenge”.
David has raised concerns with Labour MP Tulip Siddiq. Correspondence shows she has agreed to ask questions of the council on his behalf. Her office did not respond to our request for comment.
Camden Carers has also raised concerns on David’s behalf, but told the Ham&High it does not comment on individual cases.
A council spokesman said: “This is an ongoing safeguarding enquiry and the relevant information that forms the basis of the review has been shared with all parties involved.
“We take all safeguarding concerns very seriously and follow clear procedures to ensure that everyone involved is treated fairly, kept informed and that decisions are made with the welfare and best interests of the person at the centre of the review as our top priority.”
