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What to avoid in a support worker…  what are the redflags? thumbnail

Disrespect of time

  • Are they late?
  • Do you take more time than necessary to follow up on communication and repeating basic instructions
  • Are they able to respect your child’s need for predictability with timing in their daily routine, this is especially important for children who are vulnerable to anxiety or rigidity.
  • Is your valuable time being disrupted due to the manner in which they are fulfilling the role, for example, are you required to provide extra supervision, do you come home to a chaotic and messed up house.

They appear to struggle with feelings and understanding the experiences of others

  • Do they seem rigidly behavioural in their approach, for example, describing your child as naughty when they are becoming distressed when trying to communicate something that is difficult.
  • Are they curious about what your wants and needs. It is so important that they understand that each child is unique, even when they have a different diagnosis.
  • Do they engage with your child in a manner that prioritises honouring their need to be treated with respect and have privacy, for example, will they speak about what is going on for the child in a public place.
  • Do they speak about your child in front of them as if they are not there.

 Their approach to your child is static and unresponsive to learning.

  • Do they appear to change their behaviour as they get to know your child better.
  • Do they enthusiastically engage with training and learning opportunities you provide them?
  • Are they willing to engage in collaborative problem solving with you to make life better for your child?

Not meeting your expectations for professional conduct

  • Tolerating your child being dirty, soiled, hungry or distressed without responding with care.
  • Using a tone of voice that is impatient or punitive.
  • Prioritising their own entertainment above your child’s needs, for example, sitting on the phone, meeting friends.
  • Having fun with your child that looks more like making fun of your child.
  • Using disrespectful language to describe your child.
  • Not respecting your family’s privacy needs.

Need help hiring and managing a support worker? It can seem like a big job, which is why we have created resources to help you with this.

The steps are broken down into short videos with notes and downloads. You can pick and choose which parts you do at any time.

These courses can be funded by NDIS if you are self or plan managed.

For more information click the button below: