National Preventive Mechanism ¾¾ Self-advocacy must be ensured regardless of the kind of disability. ¾¾ Suitable support measures are necessary. ¾¾ Legislation must be adopted or amended in the individual Laender; apart from a few exceptions, suitable framework conditions do not exist. ¾¾ Peer-to-peer sharing of information should be promoted. 2.4.3 Isolation of a resident Commission 1 found that in a group home for persons with disabilities there were difficulties in dealing with a certain resident. As a result of intensive outbursts of aggression, there was an increased risk for other residents; this was also determined by the attending physician. As a consequence, a special gate was installed in front of this resident’s room that prevented him from independently leaving it. In the workshop, where the residents of the group home worked during the day, this resident was also isolated from the others by way of this kind of gate. Resident isolated from other residents According to information by the clients and the staff, transports between the group home and the workshop location also presented a problem. This resident felt cramped and was highly stressed by the presence of others. The situation escalated. At the same time, other persons being transported did not feel safe during transport and reported their fears to the commission. Under these circumstances, the daily trips to and from the workshop were very difficult for all participants. Heightened risk potential Directly after the commission’s visit, individual transports from the group home to the workshop were organised for the resident in question, which made him feel significantly more comfortable. Additionally, he was given another room in the group home that had direct access to a garden, where he can spend time whenever he wishes. More accompanied walks and more frequent nature outings to enable him to satisfy the urge to move made it possible to get rid of the gate in the group home. Improvements after visit by commission In the workshop, the gate was kept in place upon the request of the person in question, but adapted so that he could open and close it independently. When he seeks out the retreat room voluntarily and as determined by him, this is a signal to the others that he wishes to remain alone and needs quiet. The commission checked the workshop again during a follow-up visit and was able to make sure that improvements had been made. ¾¾ It is preferable to use care measures as opposed to isolation and restrictions of freedom. 131