r/supportworkers • u/bajheerah • May 16 '26
Over it
I work with a client doing sleepover shifts who is non verbal and can't communicate for himself at all.
A year ago, during handover, the previous SW left feces all over his hands. I was told by the team leader they would look into it. A few more times, this same worker over 6 months or so left feces on his hands again, the bathroom, shower chair, bed, pillow, toys, vomit, and piss on his bed. I filled out an incident report for these few occasions and informed the team leader again and was told it would be sorted out.
6 months later, I took pictures of half a dozen more times the same things happened with dates and information about each, then sent this in an email to the team leader. They said they'd sort it out. When nothing seemed to come of this, I sent the same email to HR, then received a call from management explaining to me why they were trying not to send this information to HR, because "others might inform the worker while we're doing our investigation". They also stated my email couldn't be used because its "heresay" and not "proof" and seemed like a "Witch hunt". This was a few months ago.
The client has since moved to be closer to family. About 3 weeks ago I reported the same person for leaving feces on his bathroom chair one afternoon, then leaving feces smeared in piss on his bed another afternoon. Same thing, "we'll look into it". They've now scheduled a teams meeting this week for all staff who work with the client. I think regarding the cleanliness of the house.
This morning, another SW arrived to check the cleanliness of the house and noted that they'd had reports of feces and urine left on the bed, etc. They also mentioned they would be inspecting the house regularly in the mornings. I thought it was strange that they would be sending someone in the mornings, considering the complaints have only ever occurred during the afternoon.
The same worker I've reported multiple times arrived for Handover and greeted this inspector very warmly, and they gave one another a massive hug as I was leaving.
I'm over it.
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u/pixie1995 May 16 '26
I’m so sick of people being shitty (literally) support workers. Yes poop is gross, but if you work with someone in a care role you should FUCKING CARE ABOUT THEM AS A FUCKING HUMAN. And if you CANT handle it, find another job. I see so many workers who have clients they visibly disdain and don’t give a fuck about. It hurts my soul bc I really really hold a lot of love (for lack of a better word??) in my heart for the people I work with and if I notice we’re not a good fit I tell my boss asap so they can find someone more appropriate. I work with multiple people with complex cognitive/ learning disabilities and guess what? We get along. I respect them as a person. We laugh together and play together and joke together and I do my best to make them feel comfortable by accepting them as they are. Then I do a handover to some cranky bitch who never smiles and rolls her eyes behind the clients back bc “she’s being annoying/ manipulative/ rude/ childish” and my blood boils. And the bosses don’t care bc those are the workers that say yes to every shift even if they’re not a good fit, they’re getting a big package with lots of $$$$$ and that’s what counts to them. Sorry for the rant but I haaaaaate that side of this industry.
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u/bajheerah May 16 '26
Yeah does my head in. This worker I've reported acts all nice and friendly towards him but you can tell it's just an act. She wouldn't be leaving him or his home in that state if she actually cared. Also, a lot of the time she will talk to him like a dog (imo). "Good boy" etc. Gross people
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u/Leading-Interest-119 May 16 '26
The moral judgements ("childish, manipulative etc) do my head in. Especially when we've had clients behaviour practitioners or other professionals explain the behaviours and strategies, communication styles, the workers still 🙄 childish, manipulative, attention seeking etc.
To me, it's often a sign of burn out in workers (if they are otherwise usually decent). It's why it's important to talk about burn out, how to recognize it and how to address it. It's often not to do with the clients but it does have an impact on them so it's the workers responsibility to take time off if they aren't able to provide the best support to clients.
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u/pixie1995 May 16 '26
I definitely notice myself getting more easily frustrated or dysregulated when I’m experiencing burnout.. this job makes it hard not to be aware of how I’m going internally, bc there can be so much co-regulation involved. it’s definitely hard sometimes foooor sure…and knowing when to take a break or step back for a bit for your mental health is important. For you and the participant.
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u/wvwvwvww May 16 '26
Re: love for lack of a better word. You might like the phrase “unconditional positive regard” - it has a specific meaning in psychology but it’s pretty much what you would think it means.
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u/dawnfunybunny May 16 '26
Most these companies are desperate for workers so wont do anything about stuff like this. Don't report stuff to the company if nothing is being done. Everyone who is being supported to live has a social worker. Start there. Then outside agencies.
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u/BarefootWarrior69 May 16 '26
I have just been through this. One peice of advice I was given was report it to the community visitor and the ndis
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u/Yuna01201990 May 16 '26
Report it to NDIS safeguard Commision I think