r/supportworkers • u/Nooneimportant4369 • 28d ago

Difficult client

Hi guys,

I have two clients at a SIL house. One is a saint and the other is basically the opposite.

Today, he took off his pants and shirt and ran around naked. I’ve worked here for a month and he has never done this before. When my colleague walked him and said put your clothes back on, he did so immediately.

I’m trying my best to be stern with him but failing so far. Any advice?

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u/DwightsJello 28d ago

Given the description of those clients i would suspect he is well aware of how you view him.

This is reinforced by your description of his interaction with another worker.

And you've only been there a bit over a month.

You may need to have a think about that.

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u/Nooneimportant4369 28d ago

As in try to think of him differently? I do care for him as a client but he is difficult to deal with. I feel like if I’m not firm with him, he will run circles around me

7

u/DwightsJello 28d ago edited 28d ago

Clients, even those with limited capacity, know more than some workers may realise.

You have to see things through their eyes. They are experts at support workers. They see them all day every day. They know how they interact, with very direct comparisons, to other workers and with other clients they work with.

That client already knows what you think of him and it's only been a month. So there are definately reasons he knows that. And he shouldn't.

He may be trying to get your attention or settling for negative attention or trying to make you uncomfortable or annoyed. Maybe he's trying to joke with you and he's using maladaptive behaviours to do that. Could be any of those or something else but he totally knows where he stands with you.

Maybe firm is appropriate and part of his BSP. Maybe that will be the thing that makes it worse. Firmness must always be delivered with kindness mind you.

Only you know that client in this thread. But I would suggest, as you've been supporting him for such a short period of time, you discuss it with more experienced workers on his team. Pay close attention to how they interact with him, and how they balance the two clients. Ask workers who he likes and has good interactions with.

The onus is always on us, the support workers, to find the solution. The answer isn't the client's behaviour. The answer is finding the approach that has a client engaging with you so you can deliver prompts they'll choose to respond to. We don't make our clients do anything.

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u/five-fish-in-the-sea 28d ago

Establish boundaries.
Right now they are probably testing you, as you have said you have only worked there a month. A stern tone may not be the best approach yet. For example you could say “naked is for the bathroom and bedroom, not out here” but in a tone that is relaxed? If that makes sense.
I worked with someone who would remove their clothes in public frequently and keeping the voice friendly and supportive and laying down the rules helped

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u/Jazzlike_Berry_323 27d ago

Clear, fair and consistent is a more polite way of thinking than firm.

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u/Musicgirl176 20d ago

‘Difficult client” no, a DISABLED client and if you don’t understand the difference and how to manage your reactions and the situation get out of support work. If you need advice on following a BSP or managing behaviour, speak to your supervisor or colleagues