r/supportworkers

I’m a support worker in the UK and have done this job for many years. I’ve always loved my job. I’m also autistic and have ADHD, it’s a struggle but I manage. There is one colleague however who seems to have it out for me, they’ll literally make stuff up, say I’ve left the units I’ve been in untidy when I haven’t, says I haven’t given the clients food or fluids, reports that I haven’t done the washing, constantly complains about me. There’s also another colleague that told them that I did slanting that was absolutely 100% not true, couldn’t have been me in any way as yet they still wrote it in my file and threatened me with performance.

I admit to my mistakes. I told the manager this when I spoke to them. I have made a couple of them and I will own up to them but I’m not going to own up to things I haven’t done or said. And then another carer told me that people are talking about me behind my back.

I’ve had a very bad year with my mental health, it’s been a real struggle, and these people seem to take great pleasure in trying to see me fail or purposely want to take my job away from me. Because I was doing so well and now it’s being taken away from me.

I have such a good rapport with my clients. They all feel safe with me. I have a bond with all of them and I know them all so well. But the staff are just ruining it because they’re purposely lying to try and get me into trouble and I don’t understand why.

I recently joined Mable and clients there mostly seem to be looking for domestic assistance and cleaning. What is the difference between the two? Would I then charge more for cleaning than domestic assistance, as it’s more thorough? I’m not sure how I would organise my rates. Also, most posts have 10 plus applications, so how would you stand out from the competition?

My client is disabled but she's fairly capable still. She understands things like how to budget, hope to hold a conversation, etc. I would say she's mildly mentally disabled I suppose.

She has a foul mouth on the best days, which is fine by me. She often calls me shithead or asshole. None of that bothers me.

Today, she called someone else a fucking f*ggot. That bothers me a lot. I asked her in the nicest way i could to refrain from using that word.

This is my first job like this and I kind of just reacted without thinking. She went pretty quiet on me after I asked her not to say that. I'm a little worried for my job.

Is this something I'm likely to lose my job over? I really need this job..

Hey, hoping some PSWs/caregivers can help me out. I'm putting together a care plan for a client and I really want to know where YOUR limits are; what you're actually allowed to do, and what you'd never do. Honestly the "no, we can't do that" answers are the ones I need most.

Local: ONTARIO CANADA

Quick rundown on the client (keeping it general):

• High-functioning autistic adult. Fully capable, and they helped build this plan themselves while of sound mind. Nobody's forcing anything on anyone.
• After a few days without sleep, they lose the ability to regulate and have hurt themselves badly before (self-injurious behaviour). When sleep-deprived they normally stay home — going out that dysregulated is dangerous. Basically a broken circadian clock.
• They mask hard, so you can't trust what they say in the moment — you go off what you can actually see, not "I'm fine." Example: if I ask how they slept and they say "like crap," that's a risk and I treat them as unsafe. If they say "I slept good," I still make my own judgement call.
• They've gotten out of moving vehicles and, on occasion, seriously hurt themselves while highly dysregulated. The client rarely leaves the house because of this — and that's the whole point of this plan: I'm trying to safely get them out to parks, malls, etc.
• Incontinent, wears briefs.

What's being considered:

• A transport harness (prescribed EZ-On vest) with sewn-on wrist restraints, in the car, to stop them hurting themselves during an episode — it also stops them unclipping, reaching the driver, or getting a door open. Prescribed last year. I'm honestly not 100% sure whether the wrist restraints have to be used every time or just the vest; the prescription includes them (they're sewn to the vest) and says the setup is to be used and is non-negotiable, with the client's prior consent. (Meaning the client knows they get dysregulated, mask it, and are at serious self-injury risk — and consented to this ahead of time with their doctor, to protect themselves.) We have the doctors note as well confirming this as part of their care plan. Is this enough?
• Belt cutters in the car so they can be cut out fast in a crash or fire (manual shows a 2-cut release).
• In the community: when rested, totally free, no restraints. The client actually likes the EZ-On vest for the sensory input. Only during a bad stretch does the worker stay close, and a previous caregiver used a short tether for things like busy roads or outdoor outings.
• Taking restraints off: if they say they feel bad, believe it. If they say they feel good, you still have to actually see they're calm first, because of the masking.
• Briefs changed on a skin-safe schedule, not every time they ask — breaking routine is usually bad, but skin and health come first.

What I want to know from you:

1. What's actually IN your scope vs. not, with a harness or restraints?
2. The big one: does a prescription PLUS a care plan authorize you to keep restraints on if the client asks to be released mid-journey — when the prescriber has authorized them and documented that the client can't give or withdraw consent in the moment due to dysregulation and masking, and the client consented in advance with their provider? Or does a contemporaneous "let me out" always have to be honored, no matter what's on paper, even when it puts the client or others at risk?
3. What would your agency straight-up not allow? What training would you need first?
4. What consent/paperwork would you need to see before doing any of this?
5. If a restrained client needs out fast — what's your move?
6. What would make you say no, or leave the job? What are your red flags?
7. What do you wish clients and families actually got about what you can and can't do?

Basically I want this to respect what you're allowed and okay with doing — not just what the client wants, or what the OT/prescriber set up in the care plan. So be blunt. Tell me what's over the line. Thanks a ton.

I recently changed jobs. I used to work in retail (for perhaps maybe a little too long) and now I work as a carer and an instructor (teacher to the kids, unqualified hence that being the more correct term)

I’ve been getting on fine with both new jobs and I do honestly really enjoy them. The instructor role can be more stressful at times when the kids are rowdy but by comparison I’m finding the care job easier BUT I’m noticing that I do get much more anxiety before my first shift of the week, especially if I know I’m going to someone new to me or if I have a full run.

I think the main thing I’m getting to is that even though I know I’m doing a good job, I’m doubting myself (possibly because it isn’t a job I imagined doing years ago) and in a way I’m struggling to accept that’s my role now. It could be experienced based too, I am completely new to care. The team is fantastic even though I haven’t met them all yet. I can’t praise them enough so it’s definitely not an individual making me feel small.

It may be that I’ve taken on these two new roles at the same time too so that is extra pressure. I’ve been a little overwhelmed by some of the training but it’s not that I can’t do it.

Any advice on getting past this mental barrier? Did anyone else experience this starting out?

So my apologies is this is the norm. I’m just pretty sure the shifts I’m doing are a bit out of the ordinary for a support worker in terms of length and what is being asked of me. I’m very new to the industry and I don’t really have anyone else to talk to which is why I’m turning to here for advice. (Context, I’m working in Melbournes outer suburbs). I’m just wondering if this is a valid situation to move on from.

So basically I’m rostered with one client. However, during these shifts the provider expects me to also monitor and do notes for their partner who comes along ( they are also a client but only 1 persons funding is used at a time). I get paid like 31 bucks an hour. The clients refuse to engage in personal hygiene, and as a result my van has developed a permanent smell. I am being made to drive at least a few hundred kilometres per day for around 8 hours with these clients for community access and as a result I’ve become quite overwhelmed with the smell. I also can’t enter their home due to dog poop which they don’t want to clean or don’t want help cleaning (I offered to help get cleaning supplies and teach) and they don’t get support for personal care because they don’t want it (the provider and them said this).
I reported the poop in the home and the difficulties of smell to the person above me and a higher management multiple times to maybe come to a resolution to help and was told it would be handled but it hasn’t. I have also provided them with hygiene products but I don’t think they are being used. I have tried very hard to politely suggest they use them.

During the shifts I experience verbally aggressive behaviour from the clients as well, and that combined with all the driving is making me extremely tired.
I’ve asked for reduced shifts with this person but i just keep being given more. In this scenario, am I entitled to ask for less shifts or no more shifts with them at all? I’m casual but working more than full time so I understand they may not replace these hours but at this point ya girl needs a rest. I’m It’s just becoming very mentally draining and I don’t want to experience this level of fatigue being this new to the industry. My shifts with other clients have no troubles like this.

Also just making it clear this client has intellectual disabilities, no physical disability. I’m a bit worried their funding may be being misused because over 600kms of community access per week for activities like shopping and restaurants seems not the norm when they clearly need support for other things

👋 I’m disabled, who does support work independently, out west

Hi,

I've got a job interview with Simon community tomorrow as a housing first support worker. I've read good and bad, but not much specifically about the Edinburgh lot, the guy on the phone seemed nice enough. I am wondering if it is as rough as some posts make it seem i.e. abuse being common and it being a health and safety nightmare. I'm not expecting an easy job I know it's rewarding but hard, but what exactly should I be expecting?

I feel like one of the reasons why I dislike being a support worker sometimes is because abuse (especially verbal abuse) is normalised and we get told to have 'empathy' and 'understanding' for people abusing staff. It's so common and it is what causes burn out

Hi guys,

I’ve recently been assigned to a new SIL house. Two of the participants and I get on great.

One of the participants is an elderly woman and I feel as if I can’t do anything right. She doesn’t like my cooking, hates how I make tea and asks me to tip the food into the bin.

I can admit that I am an inexperienced cook but I’ve never had someone ask to tip my food into the bin.

I am seriously considering quitting this job or at the very least this SIL house. Maybe I’m just too stupid to do anything right. I can’t help that. I am on the verge of tears as I write this.

Hi,
I’ve been offered a job. I asked them if it’s mandatory I provide an ABN and they said that their standard onboarding structure is by ABN arrangement and TFN employment is offered on case-by case basis. I have one, but I’m not sure if it’s worth managing taxes and everything myself. I’ve only used my ABN for ubereats deliveries, so I’m not really even sure how to run this type of stuff. I’m only interested because I’m only looking for SIL work part-time as I have a casual job, but want more stability. Their hourly rate is $35-40, but I’m not sure if that’s for all types of employment including ABN holders. HELP

Hey all. I’m about to start my new job as a casual home care worker. I’ll be doing non active sleepover shifts from 3pm-9am. Just looking for literally any tips and advice as this is my first time 1. Doing support work & 2. Doing a sleepover.
Some questions I have is
What do I bring? Food? Clothing? Etc. Do I expect to get a decent sleep or no? I am slightly concerned about privacy and such, do the support workers bedrooms have locks?

I have kids so I am sort of used to sleeping with one eye open per se so I am anticipating something similar to that.

Thanks!

Edit to add: I will be in SIL homes. And there are 2 clients in each home I will be working in.

Hi! I recently started working with a client that requires suctioning prn (nbm + peg only). I was showering her before school the other day and she started to show her signs of needing suction, but i think i went to far as she kinda lent forward and gagged. I feel really bad, i was shown how to use the machine when i got trained but i am struggling with how far to go down, especially when i suction but she’s still struggling. Is this a common issue with people?

I’m a support worker in Australia and I’m considering joining a union, but I’m trying to work out whether it’s worth it in practice.

For those of you who are support workers, disability support workers, aged care workers, or similar, are you a union member? If so, has it been worthwhile?
I’m particularly interested in real-life experiences:
Has a union ever helped you with a workplace issue, dispute, disciplinary matter, or unfair treatment?
Have they helped improve your pay, conditions, or rosters?

Have you ever needed legal or industrial representation?

Looking back, would you join again?

I’d appreciate hearing both positive and negative experiences. I’m trying to understand the practical benefits beyond the membership fees.

I'm new to the support worker industry, and I'm looking for some honest advice.

I've recently been assigned a client（My first client) with very high support needs. My shifts are only 4 hours long, but by the end of every shift, I'm completely exhausted.

During my every shift, I'm helping with things like meal preparation, feeding assistance, laundry, changing bedding, toileting support, Medication assistance, cleaning after incontinence, mental health support, shopping and other household tasks.

What I'm struggling with is that the client often asks for multiple additional tasks right before my shift ends. Sometimes in the last 5–10 minutes, one of the things I struggle with is feeling guilty when my shift ends. I know the client genuinely needs support, so it's hard for me to leave when there are still things that need to be done. So I stay back to finish tasks, even though I'm not being paid overtime.

I honestly don't know if this is because I'm new and still learning, or if this is simply the reality of support work and something everyone experiences.

I also wonder whether it's normal for a new support worker to be assigned such a high-needs client so early on, or if most people usually start with less complex clients and gradually build experience.

I genuinely care about helping people, which is why I often feel guilty leaving when my shift ends and there are still things that need doing.

What kind of time are people leaving between clients to avoid burnout? For example, I have one client at 7-9am, then the next is at 10am, I said I was available at 10am rather than 9:30 as this way I have a little time to re-set between clients (just enough time with travel for a quick coffee stop) then I’m with my next client for 4 hours. Does anyone have a structure to how they manage their hours? I have been offered lots more hours but I’m already doing 35 a week and I feel fine with that, I just don’t want to take on too much as I want to be able to bring 100% of my self to each client.

Hello,

this a long shot but I was wondering if anyone had any insight on how it is to be a support/Youth worker whilst studying full time at uni.

I start my bachelor in social work full time in July and am really interested in become a support/Youth worker as a job instead of being stuck in retail whilst I study.

Some background, I'm 20f on my green ps(Australia) and have a certificate IV in Child Youth and Family intervention.

I support someone who has 3 hours allocated on a Friday afternoon. He lives in a mental health facility and as such has strict rules about his time out. I find myself so stressed out because he just refuses to go back on time. I have been tough (not rude) with him and he just doesn’t give a damn.
It’s becoming way too stressful for me to support him. Has anyone else experienced this?
It looks bad on me every time I bring him back late even though I always contact his care team to advise of the situation. He literally doesn’t care. I’m at my wits end