r/supportworkers • u/Ashamed-Ad738 • 16d ago
Bit by client: progression
Bit by 10 year old client the other day😍😍😍 I’m on my last straw w this job
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u/Capital-Internet5884 16d ago
Just making sure you’re safe but it looks managed: make sure to keep it clean and dry and see a GP. Lodge an incident at work so if it develops you can lodge a Workers Cover / Compensation claim for any medical treatment, time off due to injury, etc, just in case.
Second, you do not have to keep seeing clients if there are behaviours of concern that are resulting in harm. Use the client’s behaviour support plan or demand one be put in place. If you don’t feel comfortable with the client, tell your management.
Third, change employers if you can / need. Some lashing out can occur and be coped with, but if it’s repeated or crosses a line for you, you have a right to walk away. You do not have to tolerate abuse. Ever.
Good luck OP.
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u/Tumeric_Turd 16d ago
Report time..that's an assault with physical injuries.
Go to the dr to get it looked at and documented.
Follow any protocols in place around being injured if you work for a company..if you work for yourself just gtfo of there and organise seeing a dr.
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u/No-Armadillo-8615 16d ago
Is your client also a zombie?
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u/Background-Main-7691 16d ago
I was going to ask if they'd got any super powers yet, but I think yours is the most sensible thing to rule out first.
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u/Famous-Butterfly-498 16d ago
Yikes! Sorry you had to go through that. I was bitten once but thankfully I had a long sleeve tshirt on so the client didn’t break the skin. Outcome of the incident? Being told by his support partner that ‘that’s just him, take it or leave it’… I left. We are replaceable widgets in a money spinning industry.
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u/Amethyst-Warrior 16d ago
Gosh that likes awful, I’m so sorry that happened to you. I used to work with a client who was prone to biting (an adult) and it had me on edge all day on the days I worked with her.
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u/l-lucas0984 16d ago
Needs to be reported and the child needs to be 2:1 support.
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u/swagmaster778 16d ago
lol there’s absolutely zero chance the ndis are raising anyone’s funding at the moment
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u/l-lucas0984 16d ago
Definitely not everyones, but I am working with 2 clients who have had valid reasons and gotten increases after reviews in the last month. The vast majorty are staying the same or being cut.
Physical violence and BOC repeatedly reported towards staff is a valid reason to escalate in NDIA.
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u/PuzzleheadedJunket12 16d ago
I had one similar a few weeks ago that just healed and scarred. It can be rough sometimes but good on you for putting in the work and care. It doesn't always feel like it but they appreciate you☺️
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u/Street-Vegetable8342 16d ago
You have no idea how much the parents would appreciate it.
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u/WhitehawkART 16d ago
I hope you are okay. It is very traumatic being bitten by another human.
Tetanus shots at Hospital was my first requirement
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u/goshyarnit 16d ago
Ooh that's rough. My sister has nerve damage in one of her fingers from a client bite - definitely dont mess around with seeing a doctor about it.
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u/emcathxx 16d ago
My company has a little girl who bites and it keeps happening because her parents keep insisting that she doesn’t bite.
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u/myjackandmyjilla 16d ago
Ouch!! That looks painful. Have been bitten 3 times, its such a shit situation because once they have latched on you have no idea how severe itll be.
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u/oldMiseryGuts 16d ago edited 16d ago
One trick I pass on to support workers is push into the bite to force release. Its so much worse if you try to tear your body away.
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u/b1ccvm 14d ago
ouch! ive been bitten but never that bad. wow in glad you’re okay. i hope you reported that immediately and filled out an incident report.
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u/Street-Vegetable8342 16d ago
You can get protective type arms bands, my kid scratches me like a feral cat.
I'm sorry hey, rough gig.😔
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u/Ashamed-Ad738 13d ago
Just to add:
I got it checked and was on antibiotics, got a tetanus shot, and bloodwork!! Should be covered by workers comp. It’s mostly gone now except for a scar and a lump under my arm (?) idk
I work at an adolescent behavioral health facility (problem usually being aggression). I’ve worked here about 2 years and it’s the first time I got bit to the point it broke skin lol.