What happens when a support worker is not the right fit in self-managed aged care? 

One of the benefits of self-managed aged care is having more say over who supports you. 

You may be able to choose your own support workers, keep someone you already trust or take a more active role in finding workers who suit your routines, preferences and care needs. 

However, even with careful planning, a worker may not always be the right fit. If the arrangement is not working, you can raise the issue and explore another option with your registered Support at Home provider. 

A worker can be experienced and capable but still not be the right match for you. 

You may feel that: 

Self-managed aged care gives you greater involvement in arranging your services, but you should not feel pressured to continue with a worker who is not meeting your needs. 

Yes. Choosing a worker does not mean you must keep the arrangement permanently. 

If you engaged the worker through your self-managed Support at Home arrangement, speak with your registered provider before ending or changing the service. Your provider can explain any notice requirements, confirm how future services will be managed and help protect continuity of care. 

Your self-management agreement should clearly explain: 

This is why responsibilities should be agreed and documented before a third-party worker begins. 

That depends on the concern and the responsibilities in your self-management agreement. 

For a minor issue, such as preferred arrival times or how a household task is completed, you may feel comfortable speaking directly with the worker. A clear conversation may resolve the concern. 

For repeated issues, service quality concerns or situations where you feel uncomfortable, contact your care partner or registered provider. They can help review the arrangement and decide on the next step. 

You can also ask a family member, representative or advocate to support you during the conversation. 

Tell your registered Support at Home provider as soon as possible if the issue involves: 

Your registered provider remains responsible for the safety and quality of services delivered through your Support at Home funding, including services provided by independent or third-party workers. 

The provider may need to investigate the concern, stop the service or arrange replacement support while the matter is reviewed. 

Think about what was missing from the previous arrangement. 

When choosing another worker, consider: 

Your provider will still need to approve and onboard a new independent worker before their services can be paid through your Support at Home budget. 

At Leora Healthcare, self-management gives you greater choice without leaving you to manage difficult situations alone. 

You can talk to us if a support worker is not the right fit. We will listen to your concerns, explain the steps involved and help you explore another suitable worker through Leora or an approved third-party arrangement. 

Talk to Leora about creating a self-managed aged care arrangement with workers who understand what matters to you.