# 4a. Example of a Supportive Conversation

The Supportive Conversation is the foundation of any new team. It’s where we begin to get to know the person not just as someone needing care, but as a whole person with history, preferences, routines, values and ways of doing things. It’s where relationships start and where trust begins to form.

This is not a checklist or a formal assessment. It’s a conversation, guided by curiosity and respect, and adapted to each person.

Below is an example of how Team Starters structure and navigate these conversations. Items in **bold** are considered essential in every Supportive Conversation.

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## 🧍 About You

* **“Tell me about yourself.”**
* How long have you lived here? Always been in the area?
* Any faith or cultural traditions important to you?
* **Date of birth**
* What have been some of the big things in your life — work, hobbies, projects, travel?
* Who is in your support network (family, friends, neighbours)?
* Have you received formal care before? What was that like?
* Why are we meeting today — what is this conversation for?

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## 🧡 What you enjoy

* What do you enjoy doing right now?
* Are there places you like to go — town, coffee shops, walks, holidays?
* Do you think support might help you keep doing those things?
* Would your support involve going out, and if so, are you happy to cover any expenses (e.g. travel, coffee)?

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## 🩺 Health, conditions and support

* **Do you live with any health conditions or disabilities?**
  * What are they? How do they affect your day-to-day life?
  * Do they vary (e.g. good days and bad days)?
* Do you use any equipment or aids (e.g. walking frame, hoist)?
* Has an occupational therapist seen you recently?
* **Do you take any medication?** Do you need help with it? Where is it kept?
* Are you in touch with any services or professionals (GP, CPN, support groups)?
* **Are there any documents we should know about?** (e.g. DNR, POA, hospital passport)
* **Do you have any allergies?**
* Do you have a ‘go-bag’ for hospital, and where is it kept?

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## 🏠 At home

* **What makes your home feel like yours?**
* Are there any house rules (e.g. no shoes inside)?
* Would you like help with tasks around the house (cleaning, cooking, etc.)?
* Is there a key safe or door code? If so, what is it?

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## 🔒 Safety (if agreed)

If the person consents, the Team Starter may carry out light safety checks, or arrange for these to happen after support begins.

Checks might include:

* Smoke alarms and fire safety equipment
* Visual checks of sockets and appliances
* Fridge/freezer temperature
* For housing association homes: is there a record of regular safety checks?

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## 🌿 Relationships and boundaries

* **Do you have a preference for the gender of team members?**
* Would you like support workers to wear PPE?
* How do you feel about team members testing for COVID if unwell?
* Are there boundaries or preferences that are especially important to you?
* Any concerns about past experiences we should know about?

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## 📅 About the support

* **What days and times would you like support?**
* **How long should visits be?**
* Would you like access to your profile and team chat (Rocket.Chat)?
* Which email should invoices be sent to (if applicable)?
* If you’ll be going out during support, are you happy to cover expenses (bus tickets, café trips, etc.)?

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## 🎧 How support is given – your preferences

* Try new things or stick with what I know?
* Chatty or quiet?
* Gentle encouragement or motivating challenge?
* Led by you or by the support worker?
* Friendly or more formal relationship?
* Do you prefer brief or detailed notes?

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## 📋 Other practical things

* Hourly rate (between £18–25)
* Additional 15% platform fee (for independent workers only)
* Cancellation policy: sessions cancelled within 24 hours are still charged
* Ending support: we ask for one month’s notice where possible
* Consent and data: Policies are available on our website
* Communication preferences: how should we stay in touch (email, phone, chat)?

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## 📌 Final bits

* Do you feel you’ve had space to share what matters to you?
* Anything we missed or you’d like to come back to?
* If there’s a need to follow up, we’ll be in touch.

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{% hint style="info" %}
This conversation forms the basis of the person’s **Getting Support Profile** and contributes to the **Trust Assessment**, where relevant.
{% endhint %}