Handing over care to a new support worker or respite carer

Start with the person, not the diagnosis

Before listing medical details, help the new carer get to know the person. What do they enjoy? What makes them laugh? What music, shows or activities do they love? What are their pet hates? This information builds rapport quickly and is often the difference between a good day and a difficult one.

Routines, step by step

Write down the daily routines in the order they happen, with the small details that matter:

• Morning: waking, toileting or continence care, dressing preferences, breakfast.
• Meals: food textures, thickened fluids, how much assistance is needed, favourite foods and foods to avoid.
• Personal care: bathing, oral care, skin checks, pressure care and positioning schedules.
• Medicines: what, when and how, including who is authorised to administer them.
• Evening: wind-down routine, sleep position, night checks and equipment.

Communication and behaviour

Explain how the person communicates — words, signs, a communication device, facial expressions or behaviour. Describe what particular behaviours usually mean (hunger, pain, boredom, overstimulation) and the strategies that help. If there is a behaviour support plan, share it and point out the key strategies rather than expecting a new carer to absorb a long document on their first shift.

Safety information

• Allergies and dietary restrictions.
• Seizure or emergency management plans, and what counts as an emergency.
• Choking risks and safe eating strategies.
• Moving and handling techniques and equipment (hoists, slide sheets, wheelchairs).
• Who to call first, and when to call emergency services on 000.

Shadow shifts and feedback

Where possible, arrange for a new carer to shadow you or an experienced worker for at least one shift. Ask them to note down questions. After their first few shifts, check in: what was clear, what was confusing, what did they notice? New eyes often spot things long-term carers have stopped noticing, and their observations can improve your written information for the next person.

Keep one shared source of truth

Printed handover folders quickly fall out of date. Keeping routines, preferences and medicines in one shared place — that every authorised carer can see and update — means everyone works from the same current information, and changes made on Monday are known by the Tuesday shift.