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 South African government has been forced to apologise to an Adelaide woman whose severely disabled son is at risk of homelessness after a civil servant gave her bizarre New Age magic advice.

Katie Fattel’s 4-year-old son Cassian was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after nearly drowning in a backyard pool in 2021, meaning he can’t support his legs and neck without aids.

The family, consisting of her husband and six other children, have until September to find a new home due to water damage in their current private rental property.

They were told that the private rental system could not provide the housing adaptations required for Cassian’s condition, so they turned to the state for help.

But an official advised Ms Fattel, 40, to use ‘spells’ to ‘manifest’ a home because of South Australia’s shortage of social housing.

Mrs Fattel said 7News The inappropriate advice failed to take into account that for her son, a home was “a matter of life and death.”

When she applied for social housing in January, her case was moved to category one due to the family’s needs.

But when the mother of seven asked how long it would take to get a house, an SA Housing Trust worker emailed her links to a modern ‘manifestation spells’ website where she could get a house.

Mrs. Fattel received bizarre new magical advice from a civil servant (pictured)

Mrs. Fattel also received advice on where to buy a tent and where to pitch one.

The mother said her “heart sank” and she couldn’t believe it when she received the emails.

“Without a home, Cassian will not survive,” she said. “He’s on multiple life support machines, he has very expensive equipment. He needs 24/7 care.”

Despite the strange advice, Ms Fattel said her social worker was a “nice person” who should not have been sacked and that it showed how desperate the situation had become due to the housing crisis.

“I think she just didn’t know what to do… I think she meant well,” Fattel said.

“She saw Cassian and me in crisis, she knows our situation in a way that the people at the top don’t. They are so far removed from the reality of the people in crisis.”

South African Human Services Minister Nat Cook (pictured) said the demonstration advice given to Ms Fattel ‘fell short of expectations’

South African Humanitarian Affairs Minister Nat Cook and Housing Minister Tom Koutsantonis both apologised to Ms Fattel for the response she received.

“Every effort is being made to ensure Katie receives a housing solution,” Cook said.

The minister said the demonstration advice given to Ms Fattel ‘did not meet expectations’.

“That is not the kind of response I have ever seen before… and I know the Department will provide the necessary education and support to the employee and other employees who provide responses to people.”