5. Profiles and promises

Getting clear on who we are and how we’ll work together

At the heart of the Equal Care Teams model is a commitment to mutual consent and clarity. That starts with how people are introduced to each other - through personal, honest profiles - and with the promises each person makes when they agree to be part of a team.

These tools are not just forms or policies. They’re about setting the tone: relationships that are respectful, open, and grounded in shared understanding.

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🧾 The Getting Support Profile

The Getting Support Profile describes what good support looks like for the person receiving it. It’s created with them (and/or someone they trust) during the Supportive Conversation, and might include things like:

• Day-to-day routines and rhythms

• Preferences for how support is given

• Important details about health, communication or triggers

• Cultural, emotional or sensory considerations

• What helps someone feel safe, well and respected

The person has full control over what’s included, how it’s worded, and who it’s shared with.

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👤 Worker and team member profiles

Everyone giving support — whether as a paid worker, family member, friend or volunteer — has a profile too. These are created through the Equal Care platform and can include:

• A short introduction, “a bit about me”

• Skills, interests, lived experience, languages spoken

• Specific experience (e.g. working with dementia, mobility support)

• Availability, location and hourly rate (for independent workers)

• Whether they’re open to meeting new team owners

These profiles are written in the person’s own voice. We encourage openness and honesty so that people can make meaningful, informed choices about who they’d like to work with.

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🤝 Consent is always mutual

Joining a team is always based on consent from both sides.

• Team Owners choose who they’d like to invite

• Team members decide whether they’d like to support

• Everyone can say no — and that decision is respected without pressure

Trial sessions allow people to try things out before committing. If either person decides not to go ahead, that choice is supported and handled with care.

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📜 Promises: setting shared expectations

Before a team is properly formed, each person receiving support signs the Getting Support Promise: a short, accessible agreement that sets out what people can expect from each other and from the co-op. It helps clarify things like:

• Respect for autonomy and boundaries

• Good communication

• Consent around decisions

• Working through issues together when things get tough

The promise isn’t a contract in the traditional sense — but it carries weight. It’s a shared commitment to treating each other with honesty, care and respect.