James*, aged 47, has autism. He lived with his family until a few years ago. His father died in 2015 and at the same time his mum was diagnosed with dementia, which deteriorated
rapidly. She sadly passed away recently.
James sister Susan*, who lived locally with her own family, stepped in to support James and their mum, moving in and caring for them both despite holding down a full-time teaching job. But this soon became unmanageable, with her own mental health suffering and bouts of physical violence escalating, Susan and her husband needed some respite for James.
* Names have been changed