CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Clients must:

Treat Tandem staff with the same respect and dignity accorded themselves.

Provide Tandem with all necessary information to achieve a suitable support arrangement.

Co-operate with the Coordinator in the assessment of their situation and negotiations to formulate a Support Plan which suits their needs as far as possible, and ensures that the service is provided equitably.

Agree to a fair contribution or fee for service and to meet the expenses incurred on recreational outings as agreed in advance with the Support Worker.

Own the outcomes of any decisions they make, including Support Plans.

Communicate clearly with their Coordinator and voice any concerns or grievances.

Negotiate with the Coordinator if changes to support arrangements are required.

Be considerate of the arrangements agreed upon with the Support Worker. This will enable clients to achieve maximum benefit from the hours allocated and ensure that Support Worker’s time, which could be allocated to other clients, is not misused.

Where there is a primary carer, ensure that Coordinators know where the primary carer (or secondary carer) will be during the support period and provide up-to-date emergency contact phone numbers in order to respond promptly should an emergency arise.

Inform Coordinators of any common infectious diseases that the client or a family member may have eg. measles, chicken pox, diarrhoea, head lice and conjunctivitis.

Play their part in helping Tandem staff to meet the organisation’s service obligations.

Honour written agreements made mutually between Tandem and themselves.

Ensure their home is a safe and healthy place for Tandem staff to work.

Advise Tandem of changes in support requirements at least three hours before the service is due, wherever possible.

Consider participating, as a consumer representative, in the management of Tandem.