What to expect from your first shift with a support worker

Your first shift with a new support worker is a chance to start building trust and to establish how you want support to work. It does not need to be perfect, and you do not need to get through every planned task on day one.

A good first shift should feel organised but unhurried. The worker should arrive with enough information to support you safely, while still taking time to listen and confirm what you actually want.

Before the shift

The provider should confirm the date, start time, location, expected tasks, and how the worker will identify themselves. You should know who to contact if they are delayed or you need to change the shift.

They may also ask for information needed for safe support — communication needs, mobility requirements, allergies, emergency contacts, health instructions, household risks, personal care preferences and relevant plans.

When the worker arrives

They should introduce themselves, confirm your name, and check you are comfortable beginning. They may ask where to put their things, whether shoes come off, and whether there are household rules to follow.

It is reasonable for them to go through the plan for the shift with you — that avoids assumptions and lets you change priorities.

• What would you like to achieve today?
• Is anything different from the usual plan?
• How would you like me to assist?
• Are there areas, belongings or information that are private?
• Is there anything I should know before we leave, or before personal care?

Getting to know your preferences

The first shift usually involves practical conversation about routines — how you like tasks done, what helps you feel comfortable, and what you want to do yourself.

You do not have to share personal information unrelated to your support. A worker should be friendly and respectful without asking intrusive questions.

Consent runs through the whole shift

Agreeing to receive support does not remove your right to say yes or no to individual tasks. The worker should explain what they are doing and ask before providing physical assistance, entering private spaces, handling personal items or sharing information.

You can pause a task, ask for a different approach, or decide not to continue. A worker may need to explain a safety concern, but they should still communicate respectfully and involve you in the decision.

Afterwards

Tell the provider how it went — what worked, what did not, and whether the match feels right. A worker match sometimes takes a go or two to get right, and honest feedback early is far easier than putting up with something for months.