Needed when?

Introduction
When is a two person service necessary

What do you mean by a two Support Worker service?

For our purpose here we do NOT mean when two Support Workers are performing completely different tasks at the same time. E.g. One Support Worker provides a personal care service while the other prepares a meal or performs housekeeping tasks.

We are specifically referring to two Support Workers working directly with a Participant at the same time.

Here are some examples of when two Support Worker services have been utilised:

Rolling a large Participant in bed to change their clothes
Transferring a Participant, with or without a hoist, who has uncontrolled movements
Showering a Participant, who has very poor trunk control, in a mobile commode chair
Leaning a Participant, who has high level quadriplegia, forward, while in a wheelchair in order to apply a sling in preparation for a hoist transfer
Applying a sling for a Participant in a custom moulded back wheelchair
Using a tailgate van lift with one Support Worker operating the lift while the other attends to the Participant who is in an electric wheelchair
Performing a number of tasks with a Participant on a ventilator who is at high risk of choking or other potential medical emergencies
Working with a Participant who has aggressive or violent tendencies
Working with a Participant on a community outing who requires 100% direct 1:1 support and cannot be left alone for their own safety.

When is a two person service necessary?

How do I know when a two Support Worker service is necessary?

Sometimes a care service is complex enough that two Support Workers are needed to improve care and safety isn’t the primary reason for utilising a second Support Worker.

Usually though, in the home care setting, the rationale is safety.

The Participant and the Support Worker must be safe. Sometimes the only option is a two Support Worker service.

Common circumstances that may require a two Support Worker service either temporarily or permanently.

Large build e.g. bed mobility, transfers, dressing
Rigid tone e.g. bed mobility, dressing, transfers, wheelchair positioning
High extensor tone e.g. bed mobility, dressing, transfers, wheelchair positioning
Uncontrolled movements e.g. bed mobility, showering, dressing, transfers, wheelchair positioning
Tall or large person with quadriplegia e.g. bed mobility, showering, dressing, transfers
Motor neuron disease e.g. bed mobility, transfers, wheelchair positioning, dressing, bathing
Dementia e.g. bed mobility, transfers, wheelchair positioning, dressing, bathing or behavioural concerns
Multiple sclerosis e.g. bed mobility, transfers, wheelchair positioning, dressing, bathing
Severe brain injury e.g. bed mobility, transfers, wheelchair positioning, dressing, bathing or behavioural concerns