Support Workers & Pets

Tonawanda17
Tonawanda17 Online Community Member Posts: 183 Contributor

Hi. Are support workers supposed to / allowed to help with looking after a pet? Thanks

Comments

  • rubin16
    rubin16 Scope Member Posts: 1,380 Championing

    I think that would come under the discretion of the support worker, as its not really their job or responsibiity, they're only paid to support you.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 2,828 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Tonawanda17. I found some information here https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/using-a-care-agency#:~:text=Live%2Din%20care%20workers%20usually,be%20able%20to%20guarantee%20this. . It mentions that visiting or live-in carers could help with feeding a pet. What would you like the support worker to help with?

  • Tonawanda17
    Tonawanda17 Online Community Member Posts: 183 Contributor

    Thanks Rachel. It would be feeding a cat and helping to change the litter tray. Thanks

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 2,828 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    I can't see that being a problem, but just ask them and see what they say. Hopefully they'll be happy to help.

  • Littlefatfriend
    Littlefatfriend Online Community Member Posts: 404 Pioneering

    All three of the care companies I've employed here in recent years have emptied my cats' tray.

    Just agree it with the company.

    Whilst pets aren't necessarily "personal care" they are part of my household and the carers clean my floor etc. I consider the tray to be "light housework".

    If a company refused to help with that I'd call them Jobsworths (who else remembers That's Life!) and I wouldn't pay for their help. In that sense I'm employing them and I expect them to do what I ask. I wouldn't be unreasonable!

    😇

  • Tonawanda17
    Tonawanda17 Online Community Member Posts: 183 Contributor

    Thanks very much for your help.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,157 Championing

    The cat rescue I volunteer for has homed cats in residential care home, the cats get their own care plan 😻

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 2,828 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    That's adorable @Kimi87!

  • Tonawanda17
    Tonawanda17 Online Community Member Posts: 183 Contributor

    Hi. All. That's amazing. I live in my own home so the pet would be here with me.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 2,828 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    You might like our Pets Corner @Tonawanda17. I've shared a picture of my 2 black cats and there are lots of other pets to swoon over!

  • birdwatcher
    birdwatcher Online Community Member Posts: 171 Empowering

    Maybe it depends on the individual member? When I worked in care I'd have no problem changing a litter tray, feeding the dog etc. I'm a lifelong pet owner though. But when I had district nurses visiting the majority wanted my dog locked in a separate room. One night on refused to come in the house! As a direct contrast when I've had a visit from the DWP the lady always wants to see my dog, makes a big fuss of her