guaranteed rent scheme | Belfast Trust has power to restrict movement of alleged child abuser with learning disability
Unlike other schemes for guaranteed rent , we also guarantee you a no void period and we also provide our property management services to you completely free of charge. With our rent guarantee scheme there are no commission fees, no admin fees and no management fees to pay.
A health trust has legal power to impose restrictions on the movements of an alleged child abuser with a learning disability, a High Court judge ruled today.
Mr Justice Treacy held that mental health legislation authorised limitations on the man’s unsupervised trips from his home.guaranteed rent scheme
Judicial review proceedings were brought by the man, who cannot be identified, over restrictions placed on his liberty and autonomy by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
He currently lives in supported accommodation in the Newtownards area with two other men.
The court heard how he has a learning disability and history of serious aggression.
He has received treatment for an unadjudicated sexual offence against a child, with evidence showing he becomes anxious during unexpected contact with children.
As part of guardianship arrangements imposed under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986 a supervision plan allows him to walk to his local shop without supervision twice a week.
He can also go to the local shopping centre for half an hour and leave his day centre once a week if he needs to make any purchases.
Sporting events in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have been attended as well.
The man challenged those arrangements, arguing he has a right to leave his home address unaccompanied at any time he wants.guaranteed rent scheme
The legal authority of the Trust to impose conditions was contested, amid claims that the restrictions were unlawful.
But Mr Justice Treacy pointed out that the man generally accepted the conditions judged necessary by his support team.
“It appears to me on the evidence that this applicant is comparable to an older teenager who, whilst he may complain about some restrictions imposed by his parents, nevertheless generally complies and does not find the limitations sufficiently burdensome to wish to change his living arrangements entirely,” he said.
“The fact that he may wish that some of the restriction on his freedom could be removed does not convert his position from one of compliance into one where he suffers deprivation of liberty.”
The judge acknowledged more onerous conditions may be more difficult to justify.
However, he held: “I consider that this Trust has acted within the powers available to it under the relevant legislation.”
View the original article here