By Richard Franklin – Chief Executive, Kisharon Langdon
The recent incident where a three-year-old child was thrown into a crocodile enclosure has understandably shocked and distressed people across the country. Our thoughts remain firmly with the child and their family, who have endured a deeply traumatic experience.
As details emerge, it has been reported that the individual responsible has a learning disability. There will rightly be thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding that day, and it would be wrong to pre-empt their findings. However, as public discussion continues, we must be careful about the conclusions we draw and the narratives we create.
At Kisharon Langdon, we support people with learning disabilities and autistic people to live meaningful, independent and fulfilling lives. Every day, we see individuals pursuing careers, building friendships, contributing to their communities and overcoming challenges that many people never see. They are our colleagues, neighbours, friends and family members. They are not people to be feared.
When a terrible incident occurs (on this occasion involving someone with a learning disability) there is a risk that communities can be tarnished by the actions of one individual. We should resist that temptation. The overwhelming majority of people with learning disabilities are no more likely to be dangerous than anyone else. Indeed, they are often among the most vulnerable members of society.
What this incident does highlight is the importance of ensuring that people who need support receive the right support, and that those entrusted with providing that support are properly trained, equipped and empowered to do so.
High-quality support is not simply about supervision. It is about understanding an individual’s needs, recognising potential risks, responding appropriately to changing circumstances and creating environments where people can thrive safely. That requires investment, expertise and a commitment to continuous learning.
At Kisharon Langdon, we place great emphasis on staff training and professional development. Our teams receive extensive training that goes beyond compliance requirements. We invest in understanding behaviour, communication, safeguarding, risk assessment and person-centred support because we know that good support changes lives. The quality of support a person receives is directly linked to their ability to live safely, confidently and independently.
This is not simply a responsibility for social care providers. As a society, we must recognise that supporting people with learning disabilities requires sustained commitment and adequate resources. Families, support workers and organisations should never be left struggling to provide essential support without the training and backing they need.
That is why another aspect of the public reaction has been particularly disappointing. The decision by Wowcher to use the incident as the basis for a marketing joke was not merely ill-judged; it reflected a troubling willingness to turn human suffering into entertainment. A child was seriously harmed. A family’s life was changed. An individual with significant support needs became the subject of national outrage. None of that is material for a punchline.
Words matter. Public discourse matters. The way we speak about incidents like this shapes how society views entire communities. Humour that trivialises tragedy risks reinforcing prejudice and dehumanising people who are already too often misunderstood.
The wisdom of the Jewish sages in Pirkei Avot speaks to this: “Do not judge your fellow until you have reached their place.” It is a reminder that compassion and understanding should guide our response, especially when emotions run high. We can condemn harmful actions while still recognising the humanity of everyone involved.
The coming investigations will seek to establish what happened and whether lessons need to be learned. We should allow due process to take place. In the meantime, our collective responsibility is clear. We must continue to champion high-quality support, invest in those who provide it and stand alongside people with learning disabilities taking the necessary steps to ensure neither they or anyone else are unnecessarily impacted as a consequence of a tragedy that may otherwise have been avoided.
The true test of our society is not how we respond when things go well. It is how we respond in moments of tragedy. Let our response not be driven by fear, but rather one founded on responsibility, compassion and resolve.
