Wilk: Sorrentino's Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker, 5th Edition
Chapter 11: Working With Clients and Their Families
Chapter 11
Working With Clients and
Their Families
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Your Relationship With the Client
A relationship is the connection between two
or more people and is shaped by the roles,
feelings, and interactions of those involved
Personal relationships
Professional relationships
• It is unethical to mix a professional relationship with a
personal relationship.
• See textbook Table 11.1: Professional Supportive
Relationships Versus Friendships
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Professional Boundaries (1 of 3)
These are limitations on behaviour, meant to
protect vulnerable clients from the caregiver
who has access to private knowledge about
them.
When one person is dependent upon
another, the balance of power may not be
equal.
Being aware and trying to make allowances for
potential imbalances of power is important in
maintaining professional boundaries.
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Slide 3
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Professional Boundaries (2 of 3)
You do not have the right to force a client to
do anything they do not wish to do.
Maintain confidentiality:
You are caring for clients when they are at their
most vulnerable
See textbook box: Supporting Mrs. Chase: Maintaining
Professional Boundaries
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Slide 4
Professional Boundaries (3 of 3)
Establish a professional helping relationship
to help the client.
Demonstrate the following:
• Respect
• Compassion
See textbook box: Supporting Mark Vickers: Showing
Compassion
• Empathy
• Sympathy
• Competence
• Self-awareness
See textbook box: Supporting Mr. Raftis: The Need
for Self-Awareness
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Independence, Dependence,
Interdependence (1 of 2)
Independence: A state of not relying on
others for control or authority (ability to direct
one’s own life)
Dependence: A state of relying on others for
support and being unable to manage without
help
Interdependence: A state of relying on one
another (each person relies on the other for
some things)
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Slide 6
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Independence, Dependence,
Interdependence (2 of 2)
These are fundamental concepts in the
professional helping relationship.
An important goal of most clients is to achieve
or maintain as much independence as
possible.
As a support worker, you must respect your
client’s choices.
Clients must never feel that you are judging their
decisions.
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Self-Esteem
What makes clients feel good about
themselves?
Self-esteem can suffer when independence is
limited or lost.
Offer encouragement and praise the client’s
successes.
Finding one’s purpose can increase
confidence.
Offer honest feedback in a gentle, supportive
manner.
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The Balance of Power in a
Professional Relationship
When one person is dependent on another,
the balance of power may not be equal.
In some situations, it may lead to the stronger
person abusing the dependent person.
Be aware of your “power” in the professional
relationship.
Whenever possible, involve the client in
solving problems and in making decisions
that may arise.
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The Client’s Family
A family is biological, legal, or social network
of people who provide support for one
another.
Families can take many different forms
Your client will determine who he or she regards
as family members.
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Your Role in Assisting the Family
You may assist the family in many different
ways:
You may care for a new mother and baby,
toddlers or older children
Primary caregiver: The person who assumes
responsibilities for caring for person with
illness/disability in the person’s home
You may assist primary caregiver by providing
respite
See textbook box: Focus On Home Care:
Assisting the Primary Caregiver
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Slide 11
Families in Conflict (1 of 3)
When illness or disability occurs, the stress
on all family members may be great and all
have to cope with conflict.
Conflicts may take the form of expressions of
irritation, anger, bickering, and arguments.
Conflicts may sometimes be hidden.
Sometimes members of the health care team
can help families resolve difficulties by
encouraging communication or defusing
tense situations.
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Slide 12
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Families in Conflict (2 of 3)
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Families in Conflict (3 of 3)
You must observe and report on family
interactions, and also be alert for signs of
abuse.
Refer to textbook box: Case Study: Family Conflict
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