Support Workers - Requesting a Male Or Female Worker

Support Workers – requesting a male or female worker

A person receiving support, their family or their carer may at times ask specifically for a male or female support worker. Support agencies may call this ‘gender safety’.

Disability SA is committed to helping address and raise awareness of the issue of gender safety.

People receiving support (clients) and their families have the right to request a male or female support worker.

Why requests are made

There are some settings in which clients or families are more likely to request a male or female support worker:

When a worker is likely to be alone with a child or vulnerable adult ina centrebased respite facility,accommodation service or the family home

When a worker is likely to be alone with a child or vulnerable adult because they require individual attention

When a worker is supervising a sleeping child or vulnerable adult overnight

When a family is trying to teach their son or daughter about how to stay safe.

Why requests may not be granted

Clients and their families have the right to request a male or female support worker, but in some cases it may not be possible for the service provider to meet that request. Service providers will generally make every effort to comply but may not have the necessary staff available.

It is also illegal for a service provider, client or family to discriminate against a support worker on the grounds of their gender. This is part ofthe Equal Opportunity Act 1984.

Making a request for a male or female support worker

Disability SA recognises the valuable contribution that both male and female support workers make to people with diverse needs and preferences. All support workers play an important role in the provision of care for children and adults with disability.

If you or your family wish to ask specifically for a male or female support worker:

Make your request as early as possible—preferably in the care planning process. Clients and families should be supported to participate in decisionmaking and you should have your views acknowledged and valued.

Make sure your personal preferences are clearly documented.

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Discuss and document what will happen if the preferred worker is not available.

Provide your contact details in case circumstances unexpectedly change.

Support Workers - Requesting a Male Or Female Worker