one to one staffing pro's and con's

[jarlathc]

hi all
just doing some research in the area of the long term cost to staff and service of staff doing intensive support one to one with challenging behaviour , individualised services models , if anyone has any info our where i could start researching , i have noticed that we seem to employ young staff with loads of energy that can drive a bus , has anyone seen and different models , or any feedback re this subject
jarlath :p

[becky]

I used to be in a service where I would specifically employ staff to work on a 1:1 with clients who needed this support. However this was approx 10 years ago and the service and practises has since moved on.

Some of my observations were:

Some 1:1 staff became very attached to clients and would not let any other staff assist the client. Would refer to client as "theirs". This did cause tention within the staffing team.

Staff supporting clients who required a 1:1 do need adequate support, breaks and should not be percieved by the team as their responsibility all the time. They do need breaks and some staff were then inflexible to give their colleagues breaks, and support them in dealing with some behaviours that in their repeativite nature cause that staff member distress. 1:1 staff members at the time I felt had a higher sickness record.

Personally if I was now looking to recruit someone to work that closely with a client, I would be asking who is best for the client, can meet their needs, understands the need to be person centered and has the right value base - which may be younger staff or a mature person.

I recently did an observation on a client with his 1:1 support worker doing shopping - and it was very uplifting and rewarding to see that the staff member was just like a best mate to the client, was completely person centered, knew the clients needs so well and made the client feel relaxed and supported. In all the time I have known this client I have never seem him respond that well to any staff member. The client who can at times get very agitated was very calm and happy. Although this client had others who did 1:1 support with him the work that this staff member did with this client was great to see.

I hope this helps