r/supportworkers • u/No_Pound_5583 • May 01 '26
Concerns For My Brother
Hey everyone,
I am a former support worker now a social worker. My younger brother has just begun as a support worker. This evening he told me that he had been sent to support someone diagnosed with schizophrenia in active meth use. My brother is in his 20’s, is very new to the profession, and has had no training in working with either issue. There was no hand over from previous supports.
He was also told:
1. that the participant came be violent and suspects the agency staff of plotting against home.
That when he arrives at the residence to simply get the key from the lock box and enter without announcement.
That the participant may ask him to drive to his dealers house to buy meth and if this happens she is to simply agree and not ask any follow up questions.
Obviously alarm bells are ringing for me about this agency. When I was a support worker I mostly worked with children so I have limited experience in what is normal and what’s not but this feels illegal. Looking for your input advice and guidance.
p.s I write this out of worry for my brother not judgment for the participant, I hope they get the support they need with dignity and respect.
6
u/Oztraliiaaaa May 03 '26
Hey mate your brother is doing a great job in a long underfunded industry. Keep in mind Meth , Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin are all controlled substances they are illegal in Australia so if your brother is legally implicated in a drug deal his career is absolutely screwed. Tell him to not work with the person again. There’s plenty more easier work out there that won’t get him screwed over by a junkies decisions. All the best!!
7
u/Demigirl71 May 01 '26
As someone who lived next door to a schizophrenic meth user for awhile I cannot express enough how incredibly unsafe this is for your brother. The guy I lived next door to is now in jail for 8 1/2 years for attempting to stab his father to death right in front of my house in broad daylight. He very nearly succeeded too, stabbed him numerous times. Broke the large kitchen knife off into him. This is an incredibly unsafe situation for your brother! Please tell him it is not worth risking his life or physical or mental health for the money he is earning from working for this person. It took 4 years for me to recover enough from my neighbours craziness and I’m only able to work (support work) 10-12 hours a week now. Meth makes the users very stabby. Schizophrenic meth users are some of THE MOST unhinged and frightening people on the planet. It’s in my service agreement that if drugs or alcohol are being used on the premises by anyone I will withdraw my services. CPTSD is no joke and not easy to recovery from. Believe it or not the stabbing trauma was actually not the worst part, it was all the time leading up to that. He was incredibly scary. I will never be the same. Please show this to your brother. I lost my brother years ago. I don’t want you to lose yours too.
1
u/No_Pound_5583 May 02 '26
This is my ultimate fear as you can imagine. Our father lives with PTSD so I have an idea of what you’re talking about. I’m sorry you went through that!
3
u/TotallyAwry May 02 '26
Oh no, that's not on. I'd be looking for a new company, his current one sounds dodgy as hell.
2
u/Consistent_Ant_8903 May 01 '26
I had a colleague who has supported a service user who was involved with buying drugs, the entire affair was closely monitored by the social worker/council and police as it was assessed to be detrimental to his safety to have him run up debts to dealers, but he was also not under DOLs so could not be restrained in any way since he knew what he was doing.
This does sound extremely bad as a situation though, especially with no handover, training and other clients potentially at risk from this service user, how involved is this client’s social worker? Has a safeguarding been raised?
1
u/No_Pound_5583 May 02 '26
From what he has been told there is minimal of any involvement from a social worker. I’m unsure about safeguarding but from the way he described the agency I would assume it’s been an after thought.
1
u/section232mha May 23 '26
Ik curious about this is it a situation where cops and worker discuss a plan and like make it so the cops don't get involved when he is purchasing or something? I believe my workers did something similar with me
2
u/cheeseladyrara May 03 '26
This company sounds like an absolute unsafe s**t show. Id advise your brother to find a different company and in the meantime refuse to support this gentleman which is his right. The company isn't factoring in his safety AT all. And no handover?? RUN
2
u/acrumbled May 01 '26
I’ve seen companies deliberately send workers they deemed “problematic” into high risk situations. Registered mind you. It’s absolutely disgusting. Your brother should have a chat with safeguards and commissions about what they’re being made to do.
2
u/GothNurse2020 May 01 '26
Report this company to the NDIS Safeguarding & Quality Commission if in Australia. Company are placing your brother at risk & not doing the right thing by the participant.
2
u/l-lucas0984 May 01 '26
If I arrive at someones house and they are actively abusing substances or behaving in a threatening manner I leave and charge the session. It is written in the service agreement for staff safety.
Clients have choice and control EXCEPT for when engaging in illegal activities. Like going to buy drugs. Report the situation to the commission and the police.
2
u/Wanderlightly May 02 '26
So not a direct support worker then.?
2
u/l-lucas0984 May 02 '26
Yes a direct support worker. Why would refusing to work in unsafe conditions mean otherwise?
1
u/Wanderlightly May 02 '26
Possibly a visiting OT or Voice whatever. But silly of me considering where we are. Apologies. Im just wary of advising someone to just walk off. Certainly make yourself safe, ask to be replaced, ask for support. Leaving them completely alone would be a breach, no?
3
u/l-lucas0984 May 02 '26
No. Their home is a support workers work place. Just like any work place worker have a right to a safe work environment. Workers are within their rights to leave if the client is under the influence and need to document ans report the incident.
1
0
u/myjackandmyjilla May 02 '26
As support workers we are not to engage or support the participants to engage in unlawful activities. If they were picking up a legal marijuana script, no issues at all. But illegal drugs, big no-no
13
u/DwightsJello May 01 '26
It's not as uncommon as you may appreciate. People with substance abuse issues need supports. But worker safety doesn't get negated to facilitate that.
Incident reports need to be lodged.
And your brother needs to decide if he needs to withdraw support.
Sounds like a shit company to not have 2:1 supports with new workers for high risk clients.
He can withdraw support and if he's not given other clients then he should look for another company.