1. Prepare Adequately Before the meet And Greet.

Preparing doesn’t only mean knowing to ask the right questions. There are also logistical factors to consider, such as:

• Choose the right place where the meet and greet will happen. It should be a quiet place where it’s easy to focus. Discussions can last up to an hour, depending on the participant’s situation. The venue can be a public place, but as much as possible it should be in a private setting. More often you can consider inviting a companion for support during the meeting.
• Cellular phones should always be on standby, fully charged, and with good reception.
• Bring any reports or assessments that may be needed during the discussion

2. Be Transparent.

It’s vital to let the support worker know the participant’s expectations. This gives the support worker the chance to ask questions and confirm if they’re up to the task.

Although the tasks do not need a particular skill set, being specific about job requirements will go a long way. For instance, cleaning and domestic assistance are general terms that may be interpreted in different ways. Some support workers can only do light tasks like washing up or dusting.

Another example is social support. Does the participant need help with transportation? Or is he satisfied with just having a companion at home? Again, the conversation makes it possible for any concerns that may arise to get resolved right there and then. 

3. Ask The Right Questions

A meet and greet can also be an interview. Just like in an interview, the employer must ask if the potential employee fits the bill. Here are some questions that may be asked during the meet and greet:

What are the support worker’s personal attributes?

This is also a great way to break the ice before diving into the hard-hitting questions. It will also give a glimpse of whether the participant is a good match for the support worker.

Here are some examples of things to ask:

• Why did the support worker decide to work in this profession?
• What do they like most about their job?
• What specific skills and qualities make them an excellent support worker?
• Will they be available to work hours, days which you need them to be available for your support, travel appointments, community participation.
• Are there certain duties and tasks that they are not willing to perform?

Are they qualified for the job?

The support worker must be able to prove that they have the right qualifications for the job. They should also give evidence of previous experience related to the job.

For instance, they must have a Certificate 3 or 4 in Aged Care or Disabilities to provide personal care. There’s also a specific skill set needed like medication management or using a hoist.

Make a list of the duties entailed in the daily support requirements. Go through these one-by-one with the support worker. It’s acceptable to request them to bring copies of related qualifications and references for the meet and greet.

What are the support worker’s rates?

Discussion about money matters is a bit awkward; however, it is necessary. The support worker may also bring this up to check how much the participant is willing to pay.

It’s also advisable to confirm if the meet and greet also needs to be paid. Some support workers are happy not to charge, especially if the meeting took no more than 30 minutes.

Situational questions

This type of question will allow the participant to gauge the quality of work they will receive. Some examples of situational questions are:

• What do you do if you arrive at your client’s house and they failed to open the front door?
• What will you do if you enter your client’s home and you discover them unconscious?
• Cite a situation wherein you were giving care for someone, and you displayed initiative.
• Cite an instance wherein you encountered an emergency and were able to handle it well.

4. Be Open In Sharing Personal Details.

The meet and greet must be a two-way conversation between the participant and the support worker. Be prepared to share details about yourself as well. Some information that may be asked are:

• The goals you want to achieve
• Support needed to utilise the NDIS plan
• Community and mainstream support
• Daily routine
• Details about safety such as accommodation and equipment

5. First Impressions Last.