What is a Buddy Shift?
Buddy shifts, also known as ‘shadow shifts,’ play a crucial role in improving care outcomes and ensuring support worker longevity. At Quad Care, we believe that a buddy shift is more than just a learning opportunity — it’s a chance to build trust, foster positive relationships, and ensure that everyone involved feels safe and supported.
What is a Buddy Shift?
A buddy shift is an opportunity for a new team member to learn directly from an experienced team member who already knows you and how you like to be supported. This process helps new staff understand your specific needs and preferences in a comfortable, familiar environment.
No one wants to have a stranger suddenly thrown into their home. A new support worker, accompanied by someone you already trust, ensures a smoother transition and a stronger, longer-lasting support relationship.
Why are Buddy Shifts Important?
Every provider handles buddy shifts a little differently, but the goal remains the same: to provide the best possible care experience for clients and to set up new support workers for success. At Quad Care, we’ve developed a structured framework to keep buddy shifts on track and ensure nothing is missed.
Our checklist covers important areas such as:
- Reviewing and updating the client’s support plan.
- Learning about the client’s likes and dislikes.
- Understanding where household items are kept.
- Meeting family members or other key people in the client’s life.
- Going on an outing together to observe how the client prefers to engage with the community.
- Discussing topics the client prefers to avoid.
- Handling sensitive tasks like money management.
This framework ensures both the experienced team member and the new support worker have clear goals to achieve during the buddy shift.
How Do Buddy Shifts Benefit Clients and Support Workers?
Buddy shifts give clients a say in whether a new support worker is the right fit for them. This is an important part of our personalised care approach at Quad Care. Not everyone is a perfect match for everyone else, and that’s okay! Buddy shifts provide a chance to test the waters before fully integrating a new team member.
For support workers, buddy shifts offer a valuable learning experience. They help new staff gain confidence in their role by learning directly from someone who understands the client’s needs. Confident, well-prepared staff are more likely to feel satisfied in their role and stay with us longer, which means more consistent care for our clients.
What to Do if More Buddy Shifts are Needed
If you feel that the new support worker still has gaps in their knowledge after the initial buddy shift, you can always request additional shifts. Your morning routine might differ from your evening routine, so it makes sense to schedule buddy shifts at different times if needed.
Contact your Team Leader or Service Manager to arrange additional buddy shifts. We’re committed to making sure you feel comfortable and supported at all times.
Ongoing Learning at Quad Care
One of our core values at Quad Care is ongoing learning. Buddy shifts aren’t just about training new staff — they’re also an opportunity for us to identify areas where we can improve our business and staff training programs.
Your feedback matters. Whether it’s positive or constructive, we want to hear it. Your insights help us continuously improve our services and ensure we’re meeting your needs.
If you have feedback about a buddy shift, you can:
- Call us directly to share your thoughts.
- Submit feedback online via our website here.
How to Provide Feedback
It’s natural to feel apprehensive about providing feedback, especially when it comes to having someone new in your home. But open communication is essential for ensuring everyone feels safe and respected. If you’re not comfortable giving feedback directly, ask someone you trust to help you communicate your thoughts.
If you feel that a new support worker isn’t the right fit for you, don’t hesitate to speak up. It’s better to address the issue early than to continue with a mismatch. We’re here to work with you to find the best possible support team for your needs.
Learn More
Want to learn more about finding the right fit for your support needs? Check out our blog post on How to Choose the Right Support Worker.
You can also find more information about buddy shifts and support worker guidelines on the NDIS website.
Interested in Our Services?
If you’d like to learn more about how Quad Care can support you, enquire about our services here. We’d love to hear from you and explore how we can help you achieve your goals.
At Quad Care, we’re passionate about delivering high-quality, person-centred care that makes a real difference in people’s lives. Buddy shifts are just one way we ensure our clients feel valued, respected, and supported every step of the way.