A day in the life of a carer

Ian works at a Day Opportunity centre for adults with autism. At 9am there is just enough time to discuss each staff members' responsibility for the day. The activity board is competed, so all participants know what is happening and when. This morning Ian will be supporting two people at the Music Therapy session. It is always a lively and very interesting session. Especially when one of the participants shows abilities he is unable to express in any other session. Ian support the Therapist when she is unable to make herself understood. He also asks the Therapist for a report on their progress in readiness for a review.

At lunch time Ian is supporting one person who is working towards living independently. The participant had been taught over a period of six months how to choose his lunch in a shop and how to purchase it. Although the road is quite safe to cross, Ian had to make sure by using a "road crossing module" which enabled the participant and Ian to deliver this important skill step by step. On each occasion, Ian had to observe and report on success but also on problems. Now that the road crossing module has been successfully completed, Ian must shadow the participant to ensure all is well. He will be reporting back to the Care Manager and the parents at the yearly review, next month.

After lunch, Ian will be supporting a client at his work placement, a "candle making" session for a group of four people. It has been Ian's favourite thing and he has been able to motivate at least four people to make some wonderful "specimens". It is now 4.10pm and Ian is writing diaries, data collection forms and communication books. At 4.30pm Ian walks home, tired but excited about tomorrow.