Boundaries In Care & Support Work

An important part of delivery care and support services is to demonstrate empathy and understanding towards your client.

But it is important to remember that you are not their friend. You are their support worker.

Your relationship with your client is professional and not personal. It is important to keep a professional boundary between you.

This boundary is important for your safety and health and it helps your client too. They will not have false or unrealistic expectations about what you can do for them.

Be clear about your role - what you are there to do and what you are not there to do.

If a client askes you to do something that is outside of the services you have been asked to provide, as the support worker, you are the one who may have to say no and explain why. Be firm, be kind and be consistent.

Having good professional boundaries will help you and the person you are supporting. Everyone will know what you can do and what you cannot do.

Have you completed our online course on Professional Boundaries? Now is a great time to do so and you will earn a badge to go on your profile. You can find the course in your Learning Hub on the Careseekers platform.

To become a care or support worker, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/carer

To find disability support services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/disability-support-workers

To find aged care services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/aged-care-workers