If you need to hire a disability support worker then you must choose someone who reflects your needs perfectly. Often, the best way to do this is to go through an agency, but you still need to make sure that you are giving thought to which agency can give you what you’re looking for. With the help of the right disability support provider, you can rest assured knowing that you will go on to live an independent life, that’s both healthy and fulfilling.
Can they Meet your Needs?
The first thing you need to give thought to is whether or not your disability support worker agency can meet your needs. What type of support do they offer? Do they have experience in your specific type of disability? Can they meet your budget requirements? If you can ask questions like this upfront then you will find it much easier to navigate the process moving forward. You can also pinpoint which providers might be a good fit, so you can make a choice that goes on to benefit you for years to come.
Do your Research
It’s also imperative that you do your research. When you have a list of potential providers, make sure that you look into each one and even take the time to narrow down your list so you can schedule an interview with each one. This is a good way for you to find out what services they offer, what qualifications the staff have and what services they provide. You can also find out more about their approach, which is crucial when working with a support worker agency. Reading client reviews is also a good thing to do as it gives you the chance to get an inside look at their values as a whole.Â
Conduct an Interview
If you feel as though you have narrowed down your choice to just a few agencies, you can then take steps to conduct interviews. Find out what kind of support they can offer you and look into the staff and their qualifications. Explore the company’s values and culture, and how they involve patients, or those being cared for within the decision-making process. You also need to look at how they handle complaints, so you can feel assured knowing that you are going to be listened to later down the line. If you can, try and write down any questions you may have before you hop on a call with the disability support worker agency, as this will help you to conclude as to which one is most suited to your requirements.
Registration
Another thing you need to do is check to see if the provider is registered with the appropriate governing body. Ask about any disability quality assurance measures that they might have in place and also check to see if they measure satisfaction among people who use the service. You might also want to ask them if they have any experience in the things you might struggle with. Again, you need to make sure that you get everything in writing if you can, including the services that are to be provided. You also need to get the total cost of the services in writing too, so you can make sure that you are going to be able to reference it later.
Cultural Competence
Next, cultural competence You need to look to see if they can respect different cultures and backgrounds. They need to be respectful of any views you may have, especially if they come to influence the care that you are asking for. Most companies will do this without any problems but if you have specific or strong beliefs, it’s always worth double-checking this kind of information.
Accessibility
Is the disability office accessible to you? Are they willing to meet any sensory needs you may have? Are they easy to get in touch with? If you can ask yourself questions like this then it will help you to know if they are suitable for your needs. Being able to adjust your care as you need to is one of the most important factors when it comes to getting a good service you can count on. UIfthe provider isn’t accessible to you and there aren’t many contact options, this can indicate that they might not be the best choice moving forward. Make sure that the phone line has accommodations for those who may be hearing impaired too, if this is something that affects you.
Flexibility
Is the provider willing to work with you to come up with a support plan that suits you? Are they taking into account your personal choice and control? Are they willing to advocate for you and your rights? At the end of the day when seeking care, you need to make sure that you are hiring someone who understands you and who is willing to give you as much independence as possible. You need someone who can accommodate your changing needs and who can provide you with a personalised care plan that doesn’t just suit you for right now, but that is also accommodating for your needs in the coming years. Flexibility is one factor that helps to ensure this, so make sure that the provider you’re choosing offers it as standard.
Easy Platform and Payments
Lastly, choose a platform that handles the payment process for you. Make sure that the company you’re signing up with uses your NDIS or your home care package funding so you don’t have to deal with all of the paperwork. This makes things easier for now, but it also ensures that if your care needs change later down the line, you don’t have a pile of documentation to deal with.
So these are the things you should look for when choosing a care provider for your loved ones.
Also Read: Building Independence: Disability Agencies and Accessible Housing for Powered WheelchairsÂ
