How I directly employed the perfect support worker for my autistic son

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by Louise Wall

When it comes to raising children, every parent understands the importance of finding the right support. For most families, this means hiring a trustworthy babysitter or leaning on loved ones for help during hard times. When one of your children has special needs, however, accessing reliable, personalised support can be far more difficult.

My oldest son, Ethan, has level three autism, is nonverbal and also has ADHD and an intellectual disability. Finding the right support worker for him has been a journey filled with highs and lows, but it’s one that has been made significantly easier with the help of Carer Solutions’ Direct Employ service.

The search for a support worker for Ethan began with the simple yet daunting task of finding someone reliable and trustworthy. This might sound relatively easy, but it’s not just about finding someone who can handle the practical aspects of caregiving. It was just as important for me to employ a support worker who could connect with Ethan on a deeper level and truly understand him and his needs.

I was discussing the type of support worker I was looking for with a friend at work when she suggested Georgia, who she thought would be a great fit. Georgia already worked at Ethan’s specialist school, so she had a great understanding of what it meant to work with children with special needs and the importance of forming trusted relationships with them. 

From the very first time I met Georgia, I knew she was the right support worker for Ethan. Her familiarity with Ethan’s school environment and her genuine passion for her work made her exactly what I was looking for.

This was only made possible thanks to Carer Solutions and their Direct Employ service, which allows families to directly employ people they know and trust to act as support workers. I was so relieved to know that Ethan was being cared for by someone who truly understood his needs and fit in with our family. Many agency support workers find themselves shuffled between clients and unable to establish meaningful connections, but directly employing Georgia means she has been able to build a strong rapport with Ethan from day one.

In addition to accessing the perfect care for my son, directly employing Georgia has also streamlined many of the tedious administrative tasks that can quickly burden families. If I ever need additional help, I can directly organise for Georgia to take on more work rather than going through an agency, which can add days to a conversation that often takes minutes. Carer Solutions also handles everything from payroll to insurance, meaning Georgia and I can focus on making sure Ethan gets the care he needs.

Having Georgia as Ethan’s support worker has made a world of difference in his life. Since she started with us, he has been able to access the community more confidently, ride his bike independently, and most importantly, he’s much happier. The peace of mind that comes with knowing Ethan is in capable hands allows me to focus on other aspects of our lives without constant worry. I know firsthand how scary it can be to put your child’s safety and well-being in the hands of a support worker, which is why having the freedom to choose someone you truly trust makes all the difference. Every family deserves complete peace of mind when it comes to finding support for their child, and I am grateful that Carer Solutions helped me find that support in Georgia – and I know Ethan is too.

To find out more about this unique service, visit the Carer Solutions website or give their friendly team a call on 1300 729 839.