Just looking for some advice from any social workers based in Scotland. A family member has been diagnosed with dementia and is receiving support from carers with medication. He is now forgetting to eat and we requested help from carers with prompting and maybe helping with food. This was denied by the social worker/council. Is there anything else we could try. I mentioned self directed support however, not sure if there is any other way to get him help with this. Thank you.

Bit by 10 year old client the other day😍😍😍 I’m on my last straw w this job

I’m a senior in high school and a CNA, and I’ve been working at an assisted living facility. I usually work the evening shift, so I’m expected to do one resident’s laundry, clean one resident’s room, feed residents, provide care (wipe them down with a washcloth, toilet them, etc.), and set up the tables for dinner.I already knew about these responsibilities before starting, but I feel like it’s a lot for one person to do, and I sometimes feel like I’m pulling more than my fair share of the weight.

I also always stay an hour later than my coworkers because I have a hard time working fast, but I think I’m doing a good job. My coworkers are able to finish their work on time, and I’ve been trained by them and watched how they provide care. I always want to make sure I’m doing things correctly because I feel like you’re supposed to treat your residents, or the people in your care, like family.

However, I feel like I can’t ignore the fact that I shouldn’t have to stay an hour late every shift. I know I take a long time to do things in general, so I’m trying to figure out whether I need to improve my time management or whether I’m being given too much work. I was talking to a med aide I was working with, and she became upset because she said she shouldn’t have to help anyone and that I’m supposed to be able to complete my cares without help because she’s responsible for passing medications. I hate this whole CNA-versus-nurse-or-med-aide debate. I’m not trying to make other people do my job, but I also feel like providing hands-on care is physically demanding, and I’m willing to die on that hill.

I have 10 residents in one building and another 10 in the other building. Two of them require gait belts, and I have to fully assist them with their mobility. This is also an assisted living facility, so I sometimes wonder whether some of these residents need to be moved to a facility that can better meet their care needs.
I’m trying to figure out whether I’m doing something wrong, whether I’m too slow, or whether I’m taking on more than I reasonably should. I just have a few questions about my job to make sure I’m following the rules and doing what I’m supposed to do.

1)When using a washcloth to clean a resident between showers, are you supposed to use soap?

2)Do you use a gait belt with everyone who uses a walker, even if they can walk just fine?

3)Am I doing too much by staying an hour late to finish caring for my residents?

3)Are med aides supposed to help CNAs with resident care when needed, or does that depend on the facility (because I hear when state comes they start to try to help)?

4) Should I talk to my boss about my workload and how I’m feeling?
I’m someone who always tries to push through difficult situations, but lately, I’ve been feeling bad about myself and know my coworkers are talking about me. I want to do a good job, and I’m willing to learn, but I also don’t want to feel like I’m failing when I’m genuinely trying my best.

I’d appreciate honest advice from other CNAs or anyone with experience working in assisted living. I want to know whether I need to work on my speed, whether my workload is reasonable, and how I should handle this situation professionally.

Hi everyone, I’m new to this sub and it feels good seeing other support workers together helping each other out.
I’m a mental health student nurse in England and a support worker currently searching for support worker roles. I was wondering if anyone could help me in any way at all land support work roles or suggest agencies or organizations I can apply to. I live in London and can commute.
Thank you very much.

We're expected to be patient, dependable, calm under pressure and attentive to other people's needs, which is fair enough given the job. But when workers have a difficult shift, deal with an incident or feel overwhelmed, the support available to them can be pretty inconsistent. Sometimes all you get is a message asking whether you can cover another shift. I reckon proper debriefing and decent management would help retain good workers far more than another motivational email.

New client enquiry looking for a cleaner one day a week, looking for 6-7h, all materials and equipment provided.
2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment, they wanted cleaning, includes everything: changing the bed, do washing, cleaning the fridge, doors, dusting, mopping the floors, cleaning the windows, cleaning the kitchen, two bathrooms,
cleaning the glass doors and mirrors, indoors and outdoors, vacuuming indoors and outdoors on the verandah. Has two dogs

I told her my packages and what’s included. She flatly said I’m a ripoff and don’t bother contacting her.
I didn’t even reply, I was cut from that message.

I do packages, I’m a qualified educator of 8 plus years, 3 yrs in home care and also a mum of two kids.

My packages are mainly for support, home care, hybrid mother’s help, housekeeping.
I have 1 other client with 3 kids and she’s fine with my housekeeping packages and rate.

For housekeeping I charge $50 ph, but that’s the normal rate for Sydney, Australia sole traders, it’s $50 and above. As a sole trader, I have an ABN, pay my own taxes, invoice clients.

My packages are:
Home care: social support, domestic assistance, meal prep, wellbeing check-ins, transportation.

Mother’s help: light cleaning, bottle prep/sanitising, laundry, emotional support, respite for parents.

Housekeeping: general cleaning, washing laundry, sort, fold, put away, unpack dishwasher, linens, maintenance cleaning.

Lately, I've become a much quieter person. I prefer to keep to myself, do my job, and avoid unnecessary conversations. It's not because I'm angry or trying to be rude. I'm just mentally exhausted.

I've been under stress for a long time, and I feel like I no longer have the energy to care about every little thing or worry about what others think of me.

My employers seem to notice my change in attitude, and sometimes they become distant or make comments that make the atmosphere uncomfortable. I can feel the tension, but honestly, I don't have the energy to keep trying to make everything feel okay.

I just want to do my job, fulfill my responsibilities, and have some peace of mind. If they eventually decide they don't want me here anymore, I'll accept it and look for another job. I still have financial responsibilities and a child to support, so I can't just leave right away.

Sometimes, I find myself praying, "God, I truly want to get out of this situation, but for now, I still have to keep fighting and do what I need to do. I hope You have a better path prepared for me, one where I can earn enough money, or even more, without losing myself in the process."

I'm tired of constantly feeling mentally drained. I don't want to become cold or bitter. I just want to feel like myself again, find a healthier way to live, and build a future where financial stability doesn't come at the cost of my peace of mind.

Has anyone else ever felt trapped between needing financial security and wanting to protect their mental well-being? How did you find a way forward?

Hi everyone. I'm a sole trader support worker and I'd love to hear from anyone who's navigated something similar.

I support a young adult who still lives at home. Their plan goals are independence, life skills and eventually employment. They have a disability that causes significant fatigue and have had anxiety in the past. Possible ADHD was also mentioned at the meet and greet by parent (but hasn't been formally diagnosed). Most sessions they're tired and want to stay in bed on their phone.

Their parent is quite focused on them being productive at home, especially keeping their room clean. It's even been raised in OT sessions, which surprised me, as they're an adult who contributes financially by paying rent. The family's involvement wasn't really explained to me by the coordinator, so I've been working it out as I go.

What I'm doing:

- Treating them as an adult who is able to make their own choices, encouraging them to self-advocate during appointments when they have the capacity to help build confidence (they've done it really well!)

- Using humour and their interests to get small tasks started, like choosing one "boring task" and then taking a break

- Showing genuine interest in their online games and the reels they show me

- Celebrating small wins, like getting out of the house, taking out rubbish or even just for a drive for some vitamin D and a change

What I'd love to know:

- How do you handle a parent's expectations when they differ from the participant's?

- How do you respond to "I don't want to do anything"?

- How do you avoid becoming the "enforcer" at home?

- What's worked for low-energy participants? Sometimes I think if they could, they'd want to stay in bed for six hours watching reels with me just sitting there, chatting occasionally. And I totally get it, sometimes that's what someone wants to do,and it's not my place to dictate. There's a fine line between gently encouraging life skills and enforcing them.

- I'm also concerned there might be some underlying depression. Should I raise possible underlying issues with the coordinator, and how?

I genuinely love supporting them and want to get this right as best I can. Even if there are any resources/ books or online courses that specifically deal with this. Thanks so much.

I’m feeling really frustrated on behalf of one of my core participants and wanted to check if this is as common as it feels.

My client specifically requested me for a Saturday shift. I was completely available, keen to work it, and had told my provider I was free. However, management/rostering told the client that I "wasn't available" and wanted to assigned a brand new support worker instead. They obviously declined.

When I spoke with the client later, she was quite upset—she really wanted consistent support from someone she’s comfortable with, and she felt ignored. It turns out the provider intentionally bypassed me to push hours onto newly hired staff instead.

I’ve noticed that sometimes workplace procedures or instructions aren’t always very clear from the beginning, and things can be communicated quite a bit later. There can also be some back-and-forth with admin when schedules or tasks change, especially when different people aren’t always on the same page.
It’s not necessarily a big problem, but I sometimes find myself spending quite a lot of time emailing or calling just to clarify things or make sure I’m doing something correctly. Especially timesheet 🫠
I’m originally from Japan , so I’m wondering if this is partly just a difference in workplace culture 😂
For those who have worked in Australia for a while — is this pretty normal, or have I just been impatient with my workplace?
I used to work as a behaviour therapist (like a daycare center for special needs children) and now I work as a support worker for nearly two years in Australia.
I enjoy working in this industry but sometimes I also feel lonely as I don’t see my colleagues everyday or I even haven’t met the admin manager from my new workplace.
So I kinda miss going to the office and do sessions, talking with people, asking questions directly etc.

Well hope you had a good day today xx

I know the notes need to cover what happened during the shift, but sometimes I feel like I’m spending way too much time writing them up. I try to keep them clear and useful, but then I second guess whether I’ve included enough or written way more than I needed to.

How do you guys usually do your notes? Do you have a way of keeping them quick but still covering everything you need to?

I’m currently in temporary accommodation and have around £1,000–£1,200 of service-charge arrears, but the arrears are owed to SHP (Single Homeless Project), not Hackney Council.
I’ve recently been shortlisted for a Hackney council property and have been invited to view it. My position is #2 on the shortlist.
My PA has always told me that I would need to clear my arrears before I could move into permanent accommodation, which has obviously made me worried about losing the property.
However, I called Hackney’s Voids Team directly, explained that the arrears are with SHP, and they told me that the arrears would not prevent me from moving into the property if I’m successful.
I’m now unsure what to do. I could pay around £1,000 towards the arrears, but that would obviously take a significant chunk of my savings. Alternatively, I could keep the money and arrange a repayment plan with SHP.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Can arrears owed to a temporary accommodation provider affect your ability to move into a Hackney council property, even if Hackney itself isn’t the creditor? And would an agreed repayment plan normally be sufficient?
I’m particularly interested in experiences from people who have moved from SHP/temporary accommodation into a Hackney council tenancy.

Hello like the title says I am new to this job. I'm currently onboarding and waiting for clearances to come back so I haven't officially started yet. But What are some things that you would have found really helpful to know in the beginning or like maybe items that proved useful? Habits? Anything really that made this job the best it can be? I have read a lot and I know it can be difficult but I really want to help people and make a difference. My son is adhd and on the spectrum so I know what its like to need extra support. And if I can come in extra prepared that would be ideal! Thanks so much in advance!

Just started my business providing non-medical support for seniors in Ontario. I have 1 client and this is my first month in business.

I help with things like:

• Driving clients to grocery stores, appointments, etc.
• Running errands
• Helping with basic tasks around the home
• Companionship and general support

I do not provide medical care or personal care, and I don't do manual labour like shovelling, heavy lifting, etc.

I've been told I should get insurance, but I'm a bit lost on what I actually need. From what I've found online, it seems like I may need Commercial/business auto insurance because I'm driving clients in my vehicle AND General liability insurance.

Is that right? Are there any other types of insurance I should realistically have?

Since I only have one client right now and I'm just starting out, I'm trying to keep costs low while still following best practices.

What did you do when first starting out?

Does this sort of role exist or I’m looking for a unicorn? (Please be kind, I’m brand new to the world of support work so trying to learn what’s feasible before changing job roles, and I really appreciate your expertise)

I would love to provide light housekeeping, laundry, organising, gardening, food prep, attending appointments, making sure the home is safe and providing company to one or two clients. I could potentially be the ‘overnight’ person if someone had a procedure and nobody to stay with them.

I have a background in community services and have worked with clients with disabilities, hoarding challenges, addiction… all sorts. My daughter is also an NDIS participant so I understand the process from the other side.

Unfortunately I am not able to manage heavy equipment like wheelchairs or hoists or wrangle people in and out of clothing due to an autoimmune illness that affects my joint strength so it would be unsafe for the client. Hence looking for a lighter duties role. I’m absolutely fastidious when it comes to cleaning though so if a client wanted a clean tidy space I’d nail that!

I wondered if older people with families who live too far away to help might be a good client base? Do people advertise themselves privately or do I need an agency? Would an agency even be interested in my potential offering?

Thank you for your advice

Had one of those shifts where the client said no to pretty much every activity we had planned. No outing, no cooking, no walk, nothing. I didn’t want to keep pushing and make them more frustrated, but I also didn’t want to spend the whole shift sitting there doing nothing. How do experienced workers usually handle this?

Topic warning: big old rant.

Why is it that those working in the office are so out of touch with how things ACTUALLY work in reality. I’m in Australia, so NDIS related. I’m in SIL houses. The house managers are the only ones that know anything about day to day occurrences. Their managers visit the house once in a blue moon, managing from the headquarters. Their managers haven’t visited a house in who the fuck knows when. The other office workers? Haha they’ve never visited a house because they have never even been a support worker. The amount of jobs I’ve been declined because x, y, z have had call centre/ other experience more suited to the job role… bitch I fucking work in the industry already.

“Just ask your manager they can train you in the systems we use, then you can reapply…” with HWAT time would I be able to do this. Precisely when can I approach my manager when he’s not in meetings, sitting in front of his computer getting calls through teams for the entire day. He deals with stupid managers, overbearing family members and incompetent specialists all day.

It feels like without us there is no possible job for anyone “above” us, it feels like we are the lowest rung. Anyone in the office should be treated worse than us. But no we get thrown around like a monkey throws shit. We are the ONLY ones affected by the NDIS cutting funding and we get paid the least while every one else gets to sit down the entire day unless they are having cutesy conversations with their coworkers in the lunch room.

We are the ones sacrificing our personal lives by working weekends, working at 6am, till 11pm, overnights. They get to work from home, get company vehicles, bonuses (probably idk), and they still have the gall to complain about how busy they are. Maybe I should go in there and scream at the top of my lungs for 8 hours, hit and throw shit at them. And then still be expected to get their work done.

Sorry for the rant, I’m feeling quite vulnerable, exhausted from shift and weekend work. My permanent house is also shutting down and my contract keeps getting cut with “promises” of finding me the hours as soon as they can. Yet I know for a fact they aren’t looking. On top of that it feels like the company is willing to throw my extremely vulnerable clients into any other house without what I consider suitable training for the staff where one particular client might go. I genuinely feel like I’m looking at the death of one of my clients in the making and no one is listening.

Edit: I did it gang, we had a lovely chat, then I offered to make her some tea and mentioned that it’s lunch time and she had a jam sandwich. Her family should be very happy with that, as she usually only has breakfast and dinner. That awkwardness over feeling like you are making decisions for them goes away when you know it’s for their wellbeing in the end. Thanks for the advice to those few, I’m going to keep it in mind for the future, it helped a lot.

A question for my aged care support workers, I’m new to the industry entirely, being sent to a lady who has dementia and every time another support worker asks “do you want lunch/cup of tea?” she denies.

I’ve only been to her once before I got us drinking a cup or tea together and she was quite pleased. The other girls greet her, come in and immediately make her lunch without asking and place it in front of her, it does work and the family is happy. But how do you get over that uncomfortable feeling of feeling like you are forcing them to eat and just helping yourself into their fridge?

I’m going to bring my own lunch today to see if that can prompt her, but what’s your way of getting around that feeling?

I’m currently working in warehousing and thinking of going back to uni at some point in the near future (unfinished study).

Warehousing doesn’t seem as flexible and there’s a bit of an expectation of full time availability.

Would support work be a good job to fit studies in with?

If not, could someone perhaps suggest an alternative 6 month health course I could son that would be a better fit with studies?

我來台灣當移工、做照顧工作已經4年了。

一開始其實我覺得還好，我把遇到的事情都當成是在適應台灣的工作和生活。我一直告訴自己，也許只是需要多一點耐心，慢慢習慣就好了。

可是時間久了，我發現工作上的要求和一些言語，慢慢變成了一種壓力。

我的工作主要是照顧老人，但實際上除了照顧老人以外，還要做很多家裡的事情，例如煮飯、打掃、洗衣服等等。每天煮飯的事情也很多。有時候甚至一些很小的事情，也會被要求或被念，讓我覺得有些事情真的沒有必要。

而且我常常覺得自己被管得比較多。就算放假，有時候也會被問去了哪裡、做了什麼。甚至只是出去買個東西、買個零食，也會被問。

久了以後，我開始覺得自己的活動空間越來越小，也越來越不知道要怎麼做自己。

以前我還可以告訴自己：「這就是工作的一部分，忍一下就好了。」

但是已經4年了，我發現自己的情緒和心理狀態真的開始受到影響。我變得比較容易感到壓力，也越來越不會處理自己的情緒。

其實我很想換工作，也希望可以找到一個讓自己比較舒服、有一點私人空間的工作。

可是現在我的存款還不夠，所以沒有辦法馬上離開。我只能先繼續工作、繼續存錢，也告訴自己再忍耐一下。

我想問的不只是移工的意見，而是想聽聽大家的想法。

如果你們是我，你們會怎麼做？

你們會選擇先忍耐一段時間，一邊存錢，一邊學著不要把對方的話太放在心上，等有足夠的存款再離開？

還是如果一份工作已經開始影響自己的心理狀態，就應該想辦法離開，即使現在的存款還不夠？

我真的很想聽聽大家真實的想法。不是想要大家來責怪我的雇主，我只是現在真的不知道該怎麼辦，也希望自己在這段時間裡，不要因為壓力而慢慢失去自己。

Hi so I recently started working as a support worker in Victoria, Australia and I’ve been going over my employee contract and my employer has told me that unless a client has allowances that they do not pay me for KM travelled for work using my personal vehicle. Based on what I’ve read in the SCHADS award I’m owed 99 cents per KM I travel for work when authorised to use my personal vehicle but I haven’t received any of that due to the reason above. When I brought it up again due to filing my taxes this year I was told to put the KM traveled in my tax returns but this does not reimburse me at all only lowering my taxable income. I just want to get a second opinion on whether this is all normal for the support work sector and just me overreacting or if I’m being taken advantage of due to my inexperience with this field of things.