1300 671 931 I'm Seeking Support

Building a Backup Plan So One Cancellation Does Not Break Your Week

  • 8 mins read
Building a Backup Plan So One Cancellation Does Not Break Your Week
  • 8 mins read

Table of Contents:

Building a Backup Plan So One Cancellation Does Not Break Your Week

All self-managed arrangements come together in the morning. You have a worker who is ill, on holiday or who's got a new job and the support you had on Friday is not there on Monday.

If one person is all you have then that morning is a crisis. It doesn't need to be.

Three layers, in order of strength

A second worker that is familiar with you. An occasional change in routine once a fortnight makes somebody else know what you do and can pick up more on short notice. This is the best backup you can get and why people forgo it because it appears to be an unnecessary expense.

A shortlist to keep warm. Two to three people who matched your original search who you have met once, and who you have verified the availability of every few months. A name is not a person whom you have met.

A page about you. What to do, how, what is important, what to stay away from, and who to call. Once written, given to anyone who steps in. It is a necessity, otherwise you will have to tell everything on the first day you meet a new person.

The conversation worth having with yourself

Others prefer not to risk losing a shift than dealing with a stranger in the home. That's a fair point and it's a plan, if it is a choice or an option not a default.

If you are that person, the answer is the second worker (not the shortlist), because you're safeguarding familiarity.

When to build it

At the beginning and not in the first crisis. If you have to shortlist for a new arrangement, then shortlist for two jobs instead of one. It requires one additional meeting.

Next steps

Consider what would happen if your primary worker doesn't show up tomorrow. If not, it's your challenge for this month.

Find Your Support Team. It's easy to find a second worker as the search is quick to repeat.

About the Author

Michelle Flynn

Michelle Flynn

Head of Marketing & Innovation | Building Australia’s Connected Care Ecosystem | Support Network

Seasoned marketing and innovation leader with two decades of experience turning complex service organisations into growth engines. Currently Head of Marketing & Innovation at Support Network, where I am building Australia’s most connected disability and aged care ecosystem.
I lead the growth of Support Network’s national Partnership Program — a free, Australia-wide collaboration network that already connects trusted providers, Support Coordinators, plan managers, allied health and community organisations so that when the right opportunity arises, we know exactly who to call. [Read more]

Google Rating

4.9

Based on 157 reviews