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Ask Doctor Dog!

 

Are you a support worker. Got a question thats bugging  about support work.  Why not ask me – Doctor Dog!  

Yea that’s me, cute don’t you think? Anway back to business.  If you have a question, about support work only, not my incredible good looks and modesty, then why not email me at  doctordog@supportyourway.co.uk

Look forward hearing from ya

Right, lets have a look in the old inbox and see what we’ve got:-

Dear Doctor Dog I am supporting a gentleman who recently moved from his residential home into his own privately rented flat, which he loves! I support him a few hours a week, with  household budgeting and finances. I have been struggling to find any easy read information about banks, banking and managing money. Do you know of any information which is in an accessible format which I could use to support him develop his skills.  Lucy:(

 Hey Lucy,

 Thanks for the email. I recommend you visit the Making Money Easier website, developed by ARC (Association for Real Change) and United Response.  Making Money Easier offers a range of guides to help people with a learning disability to think about money, banking  and  plan their lives. You can click on the links here which will take you to the appropriate web pages:-

 Making Money Easier 

Your Money Your Home

Moving On & Planing Ahead

Your Money Your Insurance

Talking Money

 

 

You might want to check and see if your company is a member of ARC. If they are all the above information can be purchased  in A4 booklets from them.

Paw1

 

Hope this helps – DOC

 

 

Dear Doc,

Can you help? I am one of a team supporting a guy three times a week. My shift starts at 10am and finishes at 1pm. When I arrive he is never up and I have to wait outside for ages! Yesterday, when I finally got in at 11.15am he offerred me his spare front door key and said I could let myself in, make a coffee and watch one of his dvd’s - until he gets up. I think this is cool, what you think?  – JOHN

Hey John,   

Thanks for your email. Couple of things you should be asking yourself

  •   Why is he sleeping in late when he knows you are coming to support him. Is this happening with other members of the team when they support him?
  • Could you sensitively raise the matter with him. ?If  not you must discuss the matter with your line manager. 
  • It really isn’t cool to take the gentlemans front door key. Don’t do it! The only circumstances where this would be acceptable is where it has been agreed in their Care Plan.
  • You should not use the gentlemans coffee or watch his dvds.
  • I think you would really benefit from some professional boundaries training. Raise it with your line manager.
  • On your time sheet are you recording the ‘actual’ hours you worked? If  you  knowingly claim  hours you have not worked, you are committing a fraudulent act.

  Hope this helps – Doc

 

 

 

Hi Doc,

I have supported people with learning disabilities for some years. Recently I moved to Plymouth where I am now working with a small local provider – and very good they are too!

Problem is Doc, when I’m supporting someone and they ask for advice I don’t know my way around the city and who to contact about what can you help! Is there a one stop place I could visit.  Can you help – Sue       PS. You do look cute!

 

Hey Sue,   

Thanks for your email. Welcome to our beautiful city. I would strongly resommend you visit the links I have listed below.  Also what about investing in a A – Z street map of the town until you feel more confident.

Plymouth’s Learning Disability Partnership provides a wide range of health and social care services that support people with learning disabilities and their families in Plymouth.Plymouth City council have recently developed a new website for adults with learning disabilities called Open To All. Take a look, its not bad. 

Open To All is a website written using plain English and backed up with pictures to help people with learning disabilities access the information on the site, this may also be useful to adults with limited literacy skills.

The website has been developed by Plymouth Learning Disability Partnership, it is an inclusive site and is open for everyone to look at. It contains key information about services and support that people may find helpful.

These Plymouth City Council website pages provide information on the following areas that you may also find useful:

You can also access more information and understand more about services available in Plymouth by using these additional links.

They also produce a range of leaflets and publications which could help you and the people you support. Phew! what a lot of ‘stuff’ for you to take in.

 Good luck, hope this helps – Doc.

PS. Yep I am kinda cute!