A day in the life of a care worker

Richard works in a residential home for clients who have mental illness. He started the shift at 2:00pm and took the hand over from the morning staff. He has a responsibility to count all medication and monies. He then planned the rest of the shift with the residents in the house, organising who was going out, if medication needs to be taken with clients and clients estimated time back to the home to ensure safety.

One of the clients with agoraphobia (a condition which means you are fearful to go into the outside word) has a programme of putting out the rubbish. Richard supported and encouraged the client to take the rubbish into the garden. Richard then wrote up notes on the client’s achievements and rewarded the client.

At dinnertime the clients were supported to cook their main meals and clean up afterwards. Richard believes his role was not only to care for the clients but also to encourage them to maintain their skills at all times.

After dinner he supported a client who was feeling emotional about her past. She wanted to spend time discussing her issues and required support to do so.

At 10:00pm, with the shift coming to an end, Richard wrote all the details in the client’s notes and completed all household forms for the handover. He passed on all relevant information to the night staff and completed his shift.