Getting started
Your first week with a support worker, and what to expect from it
Letting somebody new into your home is a big thing to ask. Here is how the first week usually goes, and what you are entitled to expect from it.
People sometimes apologise to me for being nervous about this. They should not. A support worker comes into your home, sees your kitchen, helps you at your most private moments. Being careful about who that is makes complete sense.
Before the first shift
You should already know three things: the name of the worker who is coming, the day and time, and what they are coming to do. If you do not know all three, ring and ask. A provider who cannot tell you is not organised enough to be in your home.
We also ask you what you want first: the language spoken at home, whether you would prefer a man or a woman, and what you like doing. It is not a formality. It is how a match gets made.
The first shift
The first shift is usually slower than the ones that follow, and that is on purpose. A good worker spends it learning how you like things done rather than assuming.
- They should introduce themselves and show you who they are.
- They should ask before doing something, not announce it.
- They should follow your routine, not import one from their last job.
- They should write down what they did, and tell you what they wrote.
What to say if something is not right
This is the part people avoid, so I will be blunt about it. If the fit is wrong, say so. You will not hurt anybody's feelings, and you will not lose your supports. Matching people is guesswork at the start, and getting it wrong is normal.
Tell us early. A quiet phone call in week one is easier for everyone than three months of dreading Tuesdays.
Making a complaint will never affect the supports you receive. If a provider ever suggests otherwise, that is the moment to call the Commission.
By the end of the first fortnight
You should know your worker's name without checking, have a rhythm for the shift, and know who to ring when something changes. If you are not there yet, the problem is ours to fix, not yours to put up with.
General information only. For advice about your own plan, talk to your planner, your support coordinator, or ring us on 0435 785 828.
