A support worker is there to help you live as independently as you can. They are not there to run your life, and they are not there to judge you. Knowing what they do helps you get the most from the support on offer.
What a support worker helps with
- •Sorting benefits, rent and budgeting
- •Getting to appointments and dealing with letters
- •Building daily living skills, like cooking and cleaning
- •Working towards training, volunteering or a job
- •Connecting you to health, drug and alcohol, or mental health services
- •Planning your move on when you are ready
Key work sessions
You will usually have regular one to one sessions, sometimes called key work. These are a chance to talk about how things are going, set small goals, and get help with anything you are stuck on. They work best when you are honest about what is really happening.
What support workers are not there for
They are not there to make decisions for you, control your money without agreement, or take over. Good support builds your independence rather than replacing it. Our guide on support levels explains how much help different schemes offer.
Getting the most from your support
- •Turn up to your sessions and be honest about what you need.
- •Ask for help early, before small problems grow.
- •Set goals that matter to you, not just to staff.
- •Say if the support is not working, so it can change.
When you search for supported accommodation you can look at the support level, so you find a place that offers the help you actually want.