Managing a team of support workers can take time, but having more than one worker who knows your supports well means that you’ll always have someone else to call on, and that your shifts are covered.
What are the benefits to having more than one support worker?
A shift is suddenly cancelled or needs filling
We’ve all experienced that last minute rush of trying to find someone to cover a shift. Maybe you’ve suddenly become unwell, or your support worker has, or they have plans on a day you wanted to do hydrotherapy or try that new restaurant. You don’t want to have to change your life plans or be left without crucial support such as personal care. Life is variable for all of us, so having a team to call on is beneficial.
Tip: Ask each support worker individually if they’d be happy to be added to a group chat. Then you can send important updates e.g. an emergency shift that needs to be covered. Be sure to re-book the shift on Hireup.
A support worker has a particular skill or interest
Everyone has unique skills, personalities and interests; this is no different for support workers. You might connect over a shared passion for exploring nature with one worker, and know that another worker is talented in the kitchen and has similar tastes to you. With multiple workers, you can choose the best support worker for the task at hand.
Tip: There’s nothing more dreaded than taking a support worker to an Opera concert when they’re more into heavy metal. Or booking a support worker for personal care when it’s not something they’re confident in. It’s best to chat with workers prior to booking shifts about their preferences, and yours, so that you’re both comfortable and competent. You’re the best person to know what support you need, and when, where, how, and who you’d like to receive that support from.
Less pressure on you
Whether you have three, five or fourteen support workers on your team, having multiple workers to select from can take the pressure off finding someone to cover your shifts. It can take the stress out of your day to day, meaning you have more time to live the life you choose.
How do I begin to build my team?
Find the right workers for you.
There are a number of ways to do this. You could search through profiles, send messages, post on the job board, do meet and greets, or have buddy shifts. Find what method works best for you. Check out our help centre for more information on any of these.
Tip: A team made up of workers with different schedules helps. For example, a team of university students will mean that their exams, holidays and work placements will all happen at similar times so a diverse demographic of workers is always great. Search through profiles, send messages, post on the job board, do meet and greets, have buddy shifts. Find what method works best for you.
Roster accordingly.
Get details on your worker’s availability and support preferences. Create a calendar and share with your team so everyone is accountable and across what shifts are happening.
Keep two way communication strong.
Whether it's a group chat or individual chat, make sure you know when workers are on holidays, that workers are happy with shifts, and that you are too.
There are also times when saying no is right for you. Find out what the power of saying no is, or discover 5 tips to managing a team from Hireup user Mel. Or learn how Maddi and her family found the right support.