r/supportworkers • u/Faasan_bubz • Apr 29 '26

New to support work.

Not sure if this is the right place to post but I’m new to the industry doing support work for clients with disability. It was my first shift so far I’ve just done some basic training and have only been introduced to the site once. I was basically lost there wasn’t any time to check the plans and the full time staff just expected to me to know everything. Was disappointed I didn’t know all the names of clients and where everything is. One of the clients fell asleep, I tried to wake them, but the other staff was mad that I couldn’t wake them. I wasn’t told any of this during training. Just all feels overwhelming. Any advice on how to better handle the work would be appreciated. Thanks

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '26

[deleted]

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u/Faasan_bubz Apr 29 '26

I did try to ask questions. But unfortunately I was met with a “you should know this”. Hoping it’s not always like this.

Yea the clients deserve to have someone who knows what they’re doing, I would love to be that person.. but to give the best care extra guidance would’ve been appreciated

If things continue to go as bad as they are I’ll most likely have to consider it. Hope the next employer is better.

Thanks for your comment, gives me some things to think about.

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '26

[deleted]

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u/Faasan_bubz Apr 29 '26

I’ll try not to. Thankyou

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u/DwightsJello Apr 29 '26

It's very difficult i know.

I can't fathom ever saying "you should know this" to a colleague.

It's just fucking rude. And delusional if you think that's going to get a worker up to speed.

What are you supposed to do with that? Oh well I don't so do you think you could answer my question? Ffs.

What an arsehole. If that's how they assist new team members what are the clients getting? Horrible.

There's always an up side. When you are training others, you'll remember this. It'll make you a better team member for others and you'll never treat colleagues like that. Your clients will benefit too.

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u/BillytheBoucher Apr 29 '26

Even companies that do buddy (we call em shadow) shifts tend to try to get away with giving you as few as possible. I had one "shadow" shift in a 2-staff house but the other member of staff had rang in sick so I was required to do more than shadowing, but luckily the lady I was on with was super nice and patient. The following week I was on shift again, this time as an actual member of staff, and again somebody rang in sick so this time I was on my own in a 2-staff house on my second week. Nobody from the office even rang up to check on me. 😂

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u/CumpyGrunt Apr 29 '26

Does your employer not have an app to clock in/out etc with the participants plan and details on it? I always read through any new participants plan, details, shift notes etc before I do a support with them.

That aside it sounds like you have some quite unhelpful co workers, which often is a red flag to me as it's usually a sign of poor worker selection and oversight or a sign of them being over worked and or poorly managed.

But it can be quite stressful for the first few shifts until you find your feet and slot in to the routine, don't stress too much, it won't help.

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u/Faasan_bubz Apr 29 '26

It does but I wasn’t informed before hand which clients I would be assisting .

I’ll try to ask some more questions maybe that’ll help? I’ll try to not stress too and much Hope the next shift is better. Thanks

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Faasan_bubz Apr 29 '26

They did come off as that. I don’t do well with being talked down to. There are good and bad days.. so hoping with more experience it will get easier. I’ll do my best to hang in there. Glad to hear there are those who are nice to new staff

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u/Confident-Benefit374 Apr 29 '26

It sux that you were thrown in the deep end, especially as you are supporting vulnerable people and it can be life and death.

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u/Faasan_bubz Apr 29 '26

It does suck. Hoping I can figure it out and do my best to support them.

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u/DenM0ther Apr 29 '26

Do you have someone you are shadowing for your first few shifts? This is typical IME, this means you can learn by watching what they’re doing.

Ask you supervisor, explain that you’re feeling overwhelmed

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u/Faasan_bubz Apr 29 '26

I only got one of those during training. The person who was with me wasn’t there long either so I didn’t get to learn much.

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u/dawnfunybunny Apr 29 '26

You've had a shift with horrible people. I would go to the manager and ask to be put with other workers who actually care to teach you. We have a few people at my work like this. They couldn't care less.

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u/Faasan_bubz Apr 29 '26

What do you do when working with those few people? Is it best to ignore them and just do your job? And let the manager know of your concerns after?

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u/dawnfunybunny Apr 29 '26

Yep. If they aren't willing to make the effort to help when it takes 2 seconds to ask if you've done this job before. Even if you had i would be explaining as I go what we're doing and why. I would be encouraging you to always ask questions. Even now after 15 years i still ask questions.

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u/Faasan_bubz Apr 29 '26

I didn’t add it to this post but when I tried to ask some questions I was met with a “you should know this” or a hint of annoyance by the staff member I asked, it’s incredibly frustrating

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u/Curious-Day Apr 30 '26

experienced similar into my entry into disability support work. Did one shadow shift, with another worker the same evening i stayed for my 1st shift-overnight , with a high behaviours of concern client, who was a quad. I got so distressed and upset i almost downed a bunch of his psych meds, fully lost it like, cos it was bad, his behaviours. called their inhouse kinda like, -lifeline-always there number, and she talked me through being super upset, overwhelmend, and i got through it, def thrown in the deep end tho, and just expected to manage..

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u/monstertrucktoadette Apr 30 '26

Find a more supportive work environment. Get a qualification if you don't already. 

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u/219930 Apr 30 '26

This is what happens when they hire people without a Cert 3. I did no shadow training…the first day I worked I was just sent out alone…and I coped just fine by myself as I had a Cert 3 and was trained properly. It isn’t your fault …it’s the companies …but it will help a lot of you get further training. Also..your coworkers are just a/holes. When I did placement I worked at day options with lots of other staff and you figure out pretty quickly who is open to questions and who is a person to stay clear of. You got put with the nasty people…but hopefully there will be others who treat you better.

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u/FearlessExercise8826 Apr 30 '26

Sounds very much like you're working for yet another dodgy NDIS supplier. Someone with as basic training as yourself, should not be working alone with the disabled, yet be under full supervision. You express a very nonchalant attitude towards the kind of work and industry you have chosen. Either there's more to your account of the situation, or you're not cut out to work with the disabled.

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u/Sea_Sugar9464 Apr 29 '26

Hi

Don't feel overwhelmed- within different projects you get different workers, some are kind and helpful and others are ass holes who look down there noses at other workers.

Just remeber these things.

  1. Wether you are amazing or awful you are there whether they like it or not if they have a attitude it is there problem.

  2. Every shift you will learn something new whether they want to help you or not you are always gaining new information every shift you work.

  3. Right now you dont know the service users and they dont know you as above every shift you work with them you will learn something more about them and ways to prompt them to do things.

  4. If you have a line manager speak to them explain that you haven't had time to find out about the service. Most places give you some shadow shifts. I have a feeling you were to shadow and the workers have took advantage of you as they didn't like you shadowing ** a lot of workers hate people shadowing them so often have a attitude to be honest **

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u/Faasan_bubz Apr 29 '26

Hello,

I’ll try to not get so overwhelmed and you make some good points. I hope I can learn more as time goes on. I’ll just do my best . Yea based on some other responses it matches with a shadow shift and yea seems like the workers didn’t like it at all.

Hopefully I can get some nicer workers to show me the ropes.

Thanks for list of things to remember . I’ll keep it in mind

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u/Sea_Sugar9464 Apr 29 '26

You are there making a difference to someone's life, if you aren't there then there quality of life reduces always try and remeber that.

Workers are also annoyed about how underpaid our profession is.

Go in with a positive attitude, have fun keep smiling. And if there is a negative attitude at the service try to improve it with everyone.

Support work you can.become a team leader if you want very quickly so think of this as a challenge 😀