I’ve been dealing with a bit of a tricky situation lately and could really use some guidance.
For context, I’ve been seeing a psychologist for support with mental health issues and autism, all funded through the NDIS. I’ve also got funding for a support worker, but since I live in a regional area, finding and keeping a good one has been tough.
Here’s where it gets complicated, a few months ago, my psychologist recommended a family member (her cousin) as a support worker. At the time, I wasn’t too sure about this, but given the lack of alternatives, I went along with it.
Now, I’m facing some issues with the support worker. She seems distant and lacks the emotional support I need, especially when I’m in a tough mental state. Often, it feels like I’m being dragged along to run her errands instead of focusing on activities that help me. And the biggest issue, I'm not convinced she’s updating my psychologist properly about my condition when I’m unable to attend appointments.
Given that there’s a family connection between my psychologist and the support worker, I feel really awkward bringing these concerns up. I’m worried it might create tension, and I don’t want to ruin either of these relationships, but I’m also not sure how to move forward.
Has anyone else dealt with a similar situation? How did you handle it? Any advice on how I can navigate this without causing too much drama? I just want to ensure I’m getting the right support without creating tension.
I am sorry that you have found yourself in this position. Especially with the lack of support worker options in a rural area.
Your concerns are valid so I don’t want you thinking that bringing them up is going to ruin things.
I have an article here with how to go about having the talk:
Some pointers with your specific circumstances:
With regards to the notes to the psychologist, your support worker may simply not know your expectations. Sitting down with both to get your input on what you would like reported, your psychologists input on what is helpful and the support workers input on what they are comfortable with could clear that up.
With regards to activities there are a few things that could be happening. Either the support worker is being complacent, the support worker feels they haven’t had enough direction on what activities would benefit you from your plan or they aren’t sure how to ask you what you want to do in a way that feels effective. Communication is really important and I would suggest going into any meeting to discuss it with ideas of things you want to do in the community instead of what you have been doing.
That sounds like a really tough situation to be in. I think you’re totally justified in feeling uncomfortable about the family connection, it’s definitely a conflict of interest. It’s important that your support worker is actually helping you with your needs, not just running personal errands. If you feel you’re not getting the support you need, it might be time to find a different worker, even if it’s awkward. You deserve the right care, and the family connection shouldn’t stop you from getting it.
Wow, I can’t believe your psychologist thought recommending their family member was a good idea. That’s definitely crossing a line. You shouldn’t feel awkward about saying something if the support worker isn’t doing their job properly. Maybe start with telling your psychologist that you’re not comfortable with the arrangement and that you’d prefer to find a new worker, no need to go into too much detail if you don’t want to. Just say it’s not the right fit and go from there.
I’m really sorry to hear you’re dealing with this! I had a similar experience where I felt like my support worker wasn’t really listening to me. I ended up having to speak up because I wasn’t getting what I needed, and even though it was awkward, it was worth it. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to the psychologist directly, maybe you could contact your NDIS plan manager or coordinator? They might be able to step in and help you find another support worker that’s a better fit for you.
It sounds like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. I would definitely recommend looking into other support worker options, even if it feels awkward at first. You deserve to have someone who actually supports you emotionally and helps with your goals, not just drags you around on their errands. And if your psychologist doesn’t take it well, maybe that’s a sign that they’re not the right fit either. You need a team that works for you.
This situation is a conflict of interest from the start. The fact that you’re hesitant to speak up proves that it’s having a negative impact. I think the best way to go about it is to be honest but tactful. Just say that the dynamic isn’t working for you. If the psychologist takes it personally, that’s on them. You’re the one who deserves proper support here, and if you’re not getting that, it’s worth making a change.