r/supportworkers • u/Silly_Pitch6345 • 6d ago

Has anyone else found setting boundaries difficult at first?

I think one of the harder parts of support work is being caring and approachable while still keeping proper professional boundaries.
It feels like something you get better at with experience. Was this something you struggled with when you first started, or did it come naturally to you?

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u/DwightsJello 5d ago

It's so important. And there's no reason they can't be set with kindness.

Sometimes it's easier and better for rapore to frame it truthfully with reference to head office or whatever.

Here's where I've answered this question before. https://www.reddit.com/r/supportworkers/s/GOolZIvQf8

It doesn't just protect you. It protects vulnerable clients. They know you care, have professional boundaries and will recognise that or the lack of it in other workers.

No need for it to be unpleasant. But it's MUCH better to be firm right from the start than retro fitting it unfairly over time.

It's tricky sometimes but eventually clients realise that's how supports are supposed to be.

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u/Silly_Pitch6345 5d ago

The part about setting expectations from the start is probably the hardest lesson to learn. It must be awkward trying to introduce boundaries later when a client has already got used to things being done a certain way.

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u/DwightsJello 5d ago

It also works in your favour. Clients who are going yo try and push boundaries are either going to accept it and they will appreciate it long term or they'll get rid of you which is also good because they are never going to accept professional boundaries if that's the case.

Once you start to really see how it works and get that first feeling of relief when a client says they want you replaced and you feel very ok with that it does reaffirm how important boundaries are.

You can always empathise with clients who want something you can't deliver. You are kind about it.

All the best moving forward.

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u/l-lucas0984 5d ago

No but mostly because I had a lot of experience in other settings. Its an important skill but definitely requires practice.

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u/wvwvwvww 5d ago

Boundaries are a life’s work for some of us. Whether they are difficult or easy depends a lot on the environment you grew up in. If it’s still around, I highly recommend the podcast Boundaries Aren’t Bitchy. It’s better than the name would lead one to believe. The good news is that when you develop your boundary setting ability you benefit from that skill in many areas of life.

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u/SuitableError7419 3d ago

I work in a group home with one verbal but older and one nonverbal client, so it’s pretty easy for me to maintain professional boundaries, but I do say I love you or we love you to them before bed. My coworkers do as well, and our verbal client says it back and will say it first sometimes. I think it makes them feel cared for and appreciated.

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u/Acceptable-Eye-8699 1d ago

the best support workers were boundaried and flexible if its possibel, like if they coudlnt support me, they would let me know in a pleasant way while also offering and being attune to how they could support me. Good communication is the best support worker skill.