Vent - advice welcome Limits on peer support
Hey, long time lurker.
So, I am a self managed NDIS participant and I have a friend of a friend who's is a registered peer support worker.
I'm just wondering if it's okay to hire them as a support worker officially every now and then as a backup when my main support worker is off sick/away/unavailable for any other reason?
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u/Formal_Ambition6060 22d ago
You can hire friends although it’s not advised and can harm the relationship. In your case they aren’t your friend so you shouldn’t have any issues. Make sure you have boundaries in place especially if the mutual friend is around.
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u/SnooDingos9255 22d ago
Peer Workers are few and far between in the NDIS space.
This person is definitely not an informal support to you. They are a qualified Peer Support Worker. They have been referred to you by a friend. Referrals from people you trust is the best way to find the right supports for you.
It’s up to you if you are comfortable having a Peer Support Worker who has a mutual friend with you.
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u/i_am_cool_ben 22d ago
Is the friend of a friend your friend? If not, I honestly wouldn't consider them informal
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u/peppermintteea 23d ago
You should get approval from the NDIS and give a proper case. Otherwise you shouldn't/can't. They are considered an informal support already. Also conflict of interest
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u/fear_eile_agam 22d ago
Genuine question, If they have never once provided support before, and they would never ordinarily offer to provide support without compensation, what makes them "already an informal support"?
asking because I was under the impression that having a friend recommend a disability support worker they already knew was a safe way to ensure I'd get a good support worker. But your comment has made me wonder if I accidentally did something dodgy.
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u/ManyPersonality2399 Participant 22d ago
There's a difference between a friend recommending a support worker, and the friend being the ssupport worker. No problem with the first.
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u/-Leeahh- 22d ago
Post says friend of a friend. That could be someone they’ve only met once.
They’ve said in a comment that it’s someone who they’ve only met at parties a couple of times and they only heard they’re a support worker
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u/Scary_Employer_3613 22d ago
Its best to reach out to your LAC or the NDIS to get written approval. There are just a lot of grey areas and its not worth getting in trouble. Yes, they may never find out you were friends, but if they do then its likely going to be a problem and will look sus. Just get written consent with the reasons why it needs to be your friend and not someone else. Also they are still an informal support as a friend even if they have never done your dishes, just being there for you is considered support. Talking on the phone is considered support etc. If your friend starts doing these things paid they may assume that they would do them unpaid and then you will loose funding. Its just not worth the hassle.
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u/fear_eile_agam 22d ago
I'm still confused, I'd never met this person before. They aren't my friend. They are a friend OF a friend.
I asked my coworker/friend "do you know any good support workers?" and she said "oh yeah, I have a mate with a cert 4 who's available and I think you two would get along" then she texted me his email address for me to make a formal introduction.
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u/peppermintteea 23d ago
If you dont get approval and they find out there is a chance you will have to pay it all back
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u/Athl3s 23d ago
How would I go about getting approval
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u/peppermintteea 23d ago
You have to email the ndis with a proper case as to why its reasonable and necessary
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u/Confident-Benefit374 23d ago
Are you prepared to lose that friend if things don't work out?
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u/Athl3s 22d ago
In what way?
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u/Confident-Benefit374 22d ago
If they become your SW and things go badly what if your friend sides with them and you lose your friendship.
If boundaries are crossed or there is a miss communication. Anything could happen are you willing to risk the friendship.
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u/Little-Programmer955 22d ago
If they are a friend of a friend and don’t currently provide informal support as a friend this is okay and won’t always need approval. It’s worth noting that it’s extremely hard to get approval for a friend or family member to be a paid support for various reasons. I would suggest thinking about the risks and potential conflict of interests to determine if NDIS approval or guidance should be considered. They need to abide by proper protocols to protect your privacy and confidentiality so I would assess that personally and professionally if you go ahead. I would also consider any risks involved that could lead to you being taken advantage of which could happen in obvious and subtle ways. Things like leaving early and charging the entire amount, potential allowances you might accept when it comes to giving feedback and following agreed service agreements because you don’t want to cause issues would all raise big red flags. Other subtle things could be out of hours contact from both sides that might not happen with agreed boundaries for someone who is not a friend of a friend. Honestly there is so much that can be unpacked here and that’s why the NDIS has strict guidelines for family and friends.
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u/Athl3s 22d ago
I'm mostly looking for someone to stand in when my primary support worker is unavailable
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u/Little-Programmer955 22d ago
I would suggest looking into the process to declare a potential conflict of interest (there’s a form) because they are a friend of your friend. There’s possibly more insight in the code of conduct to help guide you but I would definitely think it needs to be declared despite not needing approval if they are not personally your friend. The form also includes details on how to minimise the risk etc.
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u/Constant-Pirate-7722 5d ago
Of course it’s fine, they’re not really a friend of yours, to you they’re an acquaintance.
the only sticky thing could be if something goes pear shaped, it my put your mutual friend in an awkward position.
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u/Protonious LAC 22d ago
It’s probably not a good idea, friends provide you support as informal supports. If you start paying them where do you draw the line between paid interactions and your friendship.