9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 A Simple Case of Positive Self Presentation? More than just a carer: A career that makes a difference liz.matthews@tipping.org.au Written by Liz Matthews, Colin Rawlings, Karen Turner and Pauline Bowman. Edited and Revised Second Edition by Liz Matthews Introduction • Discussion - why the role of Direct Support Workers are considered as Carers… 1
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Introduction • Discussion – why the role of Direct Support Workers are considered as Carers … • As DSW’s we can be our own worst enemies in the way we communicate and represent the work we do to others …. Introduction • Discussion – why the role of Direct Support Workers are Disability considered as Carers ….. Support Worker • As DSW’s we can be our own worst enemies in the way we Carer communicate and represent the work we do to others …. Personal Care • Wording and terminology used when discussing with others what Assistant we do on a day to day basis …. 2
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 A Personal View • Two years I ago was a Truck Driver – Wanted a career change – something different A Personal View • Two years I ago was a Truck Driver – Wanted a career change – something different • Recommendation to enter the disability field was through family 3
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 A Personal View • Two years I ago was a Truck Driver – Wanted a career change – something different • Recommendation to enter the disability field was through family • Only experience with disabilities was a family member First Impressions • It’s just about caring for, looking after and doing everything! 4
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 First Impressions Interview – Personal cares It’s about caring for , looking and wiping someone else’s after and doing everything ! Bum …… NO WAY ! First Impressions • It’s just about caring for, looking after and doing everything! • Interview – Personal cares and wiping someone else’s I bum! NO WAY can Hesitant Bum DO • Time to contemplate! Wiping this ! 5
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Help me understand • Personal cares – to support and promote the dignity of a person with a disability Help me understand • Personal cares – to support and promote the dignity of a person with a disability • To enhance quality of life & live an ordinary life within my community 6
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Help me understand • Personal cares – to support and promote the dignity of a person with a disability • To enhance quality of life & live an ordinary life within my community • To enable independence to the best of ones ability Changing Focus • The purpose of this presentation is to show how Make we can foster a culture Choices change 7
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Changing Focus • The purpose of this presentation is to show how Make we can foster a culture Choices change Choose Goals • Educating ourselves and others Reach Potential Changing Focus • The purpose of this presentation is to show how Make we can foster a culture Choices change Community Choose Value Goals • Educating ourselves and others Reach • Where do we start? Independence Potential 8
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 How do YOU perceive your Role? • I just go in there to care for and look after ….. How do YOU perceive your Role? • I just go in there to care for and look after …. • Think outside the square … . 9
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Terminology and the capacity to Self Promote ! • I have undertaken training to be able to support …. Terminology and the capacity to Self Promote ! • I have undertaken training to be able to support …. I attend training that enables me to increase my knowledge and awareness and ensure best practices in providing support and quality outcomes 10
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Oh No You Didn’t Just Say That • They depend on me to do everything…. Oh No You Didn’t Just Say That • They depend on me to do everything…. • I do all the house work, cook their meals, ensure they wash properly and tidy their rooms… 11
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Now That’s More Like It • I provide assistance and guidance to promote independence …. Now That’s More Like It • I provide assistance and guidance to promote independence …. I assist individuals to reach their life goals and share in the enjoyment of each achievement – great or small 12
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Community Access ? I don’t think so ! • We had community access today Community Access ? I don‘t think so ! • We had community access today • We went for a four hour drive in the bus! 13
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Community Access ? I don’t think so ! • We had community access today • We went for a four hour drive in the bus! • Everyone loved the sights from inside the bus!! Trying Something New…. How times have changed I supported a person to integrate into their local community by assisting them to join the library as defined in their life plan goals 14
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Trying Something New…. How times have changed I supported a person to integrate into their local community by assisting them to join the library as defined in their life plan goals In the community I am educating people not to address me but the person I am supporting The Old Way ….. • The staff decide what activities happen over the weekend as it’s quicker 15
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 The Old Way …. • The staff decide what activities happen over the weekend as it’s quicker • It depends on who is coming on as to what will happen The Old Way …. • The staff decide what activities happen over the weekend as it’s quicker • It depends on who is coming on as to what will happen • Oh it’s because of their disability they can’t do that … 16
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 TRANSITION • We focus on the abilities of each individual and work towards up-skilling TRANSITION • We focus on the abilities of each individual and work towards up-skilling I raise awareness in the community by supporting people to overcome barriers through positive communication 17
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 TRANSITION • We focus on the abilities of each individual and work towards up-skilling I raise awareness in the community by supporting people to overcome barriers through positive communication It is not always the person who is disabled but the barriers created within a disabling world Changing Culture from this… • It pays the bills • I couldn’t find anything else • It’s just a job! 18
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Changing Culture from this… • It pays the bills • I couldn’t find anything else • It’s just a job! • Someone has to look after ‘ those ‘ people • It’s just like looking after kids but they’re bigger To a Culture focusing on… • My career offers me the opportunity to learn, grow and develop through the two way relationship I have with the people we support 19
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 To a Culture focusing on… • My career offers me the opportunity to learn, grow and develop through the two way relationship I have with the people we support I work in a supportive team environment sharing information • I have developed in-depth Communication and active listening skills along with problem solving techniques To a Culture focusing on… • My career offers me the opportunity to learn, grow and develop through the two way relationship I have with the people we support Neighbourhood House I work in a supportive team environment sharing information Adult Day Men’s Shed Centre • I have developed in-depth Communication and active listening skills along with problem solving techniques • Liaising with other service providers Noweyung Headway and creating community linkages • Assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating – e.g. life plans 20
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Effective Communication • How we demonstrate our skills, abilities and experience to: • People we Support Effective Communication • How we demonstrate our skills , abilities and experience to : • Families 21
9 th Annual DSW Conference Melbourne, 18-19 th November 2009 Effective Communication • How we demonstrate our skills, abilities and experience to: • Our Peers Effective Communication • How we demonstrate our skills ,abilities and experience to : • The Community 22
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