Adelaide Mum Katie Fattel who is facing homelessness with her disabled son Cassian reveals the bizarre advice she got from a public servant she asked for help
The SA Government has been forced to apologise to an Adelaide woman with a severely disabled son who faces homelessness, after she was offered bizarre new-age magic advice by a public servant.
Katie Fattel's son Cassian, 4, has acquired cerebral palsy after surviving a near drowning in a backyard pool in 2021, which means he cannot support his legs or neck without aid.
The family, which includes her husband and six other children, has until September to find a new home because of water damage in her current private rental.
They have been told the private rental system cannot offer the home modifications needed for Cassian's condition, so they asked for the state's help.
But a public servant advised Ms Fattel, 40, to use 'spells' to 'manifest' a home because of the shortage of public housing in South Australia.
Ms Fattel told 7News the inappropriate advice ignored the fact that for her son, a home 'is a matter of life or death'.
When she applied for public housing in January, her case was escalated to category one due to the family's needs.
But when the mum-of-seven asked how long it would take before they would get a home, an SA Housing Trust employee emailed her links to a new-age 'manifestation spells' website to get a house.
The SA Government has been forced to apologise to an Adelaide woman with a severely disabled son who faces homelessness. Katie Fattel and Cassian are pictured
Ms Fattel was offered bizarre new-age magic advice (pictured) by a public servant
Ms Fattel was also advised about places where she could buy a tent and sites where she could pitch one.
The mum said her 'heart sank' and she was in disbelief when she got the emails.
'Without a house, Cassian won't survive,' she said. 'He relies on multiple life support devices, he has very expensive equipment. He requires 24/7 care.'
Despite the very odd advice, Ms Fattel said her caseworker was a 'lovely person' who should not be fired and that it showed the desperate situation caused by the housing crisis.
'I think she just didn't know what to do... I think (she) was well-meaning,' Ms Fattel said.
'She saw Cassian and I in crisis, she knows our situation in a way that the people at the top don't. They're so far removed from the reality of the people in crisis.'
SA's Minister for Human Services Nat Cook (pictured) said the manifestation advice given to Ms Fattel did 'not meet expectation'
SA's Minister for Human Services Nat Cook and Housing Minister Tom Koutsantonis both apologised to Ms Fattel for the response she got.
'Everything possible is being done to ensure that Katie has a housing outcome,' Ms Cook said.
The minister said the manifestation advice given to Ms Fattel did 'not meet expectation'.
'That is not the type of response I have seen ever before … and I know the department will be providing the education and support needed for the worker and other workers delivering responses to people.'
