It took 3 of them to travel a not inconsiderable distance to your home in order to spend x hours dissembling when it would have taken one of them less than 10 minutes on the phone to have found out what they wanted to know?
The unit's been closed for some weeks now and, given the reduction in their workloads, I guess they have to justify their salaries by creating the occasional spot of 'busywork'. Nevertheless, it is tempting to wonder how many of them it takes to change a lightbulb and why 5 of them weren't sufficient to prevent a window being removed from a wall over the course of half an hour or so.
So, let's have look at what they told you:
They were keen to reiterate that he made progress there. In the immortal words, 'they would, wouldn't they'. Given that your ds was able to progress himself out of the unit without let or hindrance and all the way to London and back, I guess it can confidently be said that he made progress while he was in the BY - and he picked up a few diy tips too.
They said the levels of anxiety of staff were very high Read 'anxiety' and 'high' as staff shitting themselves when they realised that their customary lazy Sunday negligence work practices had given another enterprising allegedly mentally impaired and confuddled inmate the opportunity to make twats out of them.
and that 'lessons could be learnt' with regard to his removal etc The operative word here is 'could'. Lessons 'could' be learned but given the culture of substandard provision for mental health, they won't be.
They agreed that protocol wasn't followed when they moved the boys but they were 'under pressure from above. And the decision makers who engaged in an uncalled for knee-jerk reaction that has adversely impacted on the 7 or 8 mentally unwell adolescents who were summarily removed from the BY call themselves 'professional'? Headless chickens would make a better fist of adhering to good practice under pressure.
I don't feel they gave me a straight answer to anything. This either takes years of brainwashing training or they are, in fact, robots who are recharged in the basements of large institutions overnight. I've never been able to make up my mind which.
There will have been nuances in your conversations with the unholy trio that didn't cross your consciousness at the time but will have registered subliminally. Give it a few days and I reckon you'll find that certain aspects will slot into place and you''ll have moments of 'of course, that's why they said x, y, or z' - make sure to note them down.
And now you're off for your long awaited first meeting with ds since his move? With regard to solicitors, possible legal action, challenges to the non provisions made for ds etc, you're best advised to keep your cards close to your chest.
Take your notebook with you and record your impressions of the unit, of how ds is faring, the manner in which you are received and treated, and ask for a copy of ds's diagnosis and prognosis.
Belated birthday wishes to you, honey, and many happy returns to the birthday boy.