for my disabled brothers support workers to surf the net whilst caring for him

[oldermummy11]

I happened to look at the history today and during the night when he has staff on who should be awake, they were using the net to check their emails, look at holidays and even online dating, I think this is inappropriate any thoughts?

[LeBOF]

What else do you think they should be doing? I think you need to explain a bit more.

[hanaka88]

When your brother was asleep or awake?

[LaurieFairyCake]

Is he asleep though? What would you prefer them to do?

Surely being quiet and surfing the net is preferable to making a load of noise.

[Sevenfold]

well they have to do something. I am assuming he is asleep

[oldermummy11]

Well, they are paid to 'support him' i.e. care and make sure he's safe etc. He needs care through the night....he has his own flat and carers go in there to help him. He has complex needs.

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

At least it's evidence that the support staff were indeed awake.

[hanaka88]

Yes so does my son. I still surf the net while he sleeps if I've done everything else.

[oldermummy11]

and what about during the day when is is awake and they should be caring, do you think that's OK too?

[allthequeensmen]

Surely the fact they were browsing the net demonstrates they were awake. What are they meant to do during a night shift when your brother is presumably asleep for periods, sit staring at a wall? Cos I guarantee that is a one track route to them actually falling asleep. Unless there is any evidence of them neglecting the care of your brother YABU.

[holidaywoe]

but if he's asleep surely you dont expect them to just sit there doing nothing

[oldermummy11]

They are paid an hourly rate, I wished I could get paid to surf the net...

[IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll]

Do they live with him full time?

[hanaka88]

Not if they should be caring no. But if he's asleep I don't see the problem.

[scurryfunge]

Are they not entitled to any breaks at work?

[Flossyfloof]

If that's the worst thing they are doing you and he are lucky. Sorry to sound so cynical. I suppose it is no different from watching the telly?

[oldermummy11]

Yes, various workers from different agencies (another story) go in there he has 24/7 care

[hanaka88]

Oldermummy. They also get paid minimum wage to do jobs that arent pleasant because they like the job and care,

[SocialButterfly]

Yabu, obviously if he is awake they should be caring for him but when he is asleep I can't see the harm. If they are doing it in the day and neglecting his needs that is a totally different matter. They could also being doing it during their breaks which I presume they are entitled to, day or night.

[AnEcumenicalMatter]

I can't think what else they should be doing. As long as they are carrying out their caring duties when he needs them to, what does it matter what they do in the periods that he doesn't need anything from them?

[oldermummy11]

Hanaka88 I wished that were true, not all feel this way, it's sometimes an easy job for the cash, some of them just sit and do nothing to help him.

[OneHandWavingFree]

Maybe your brother has told them that they can do that? Are they his employees or yours (genuine question)?

[oldermummy11]

I think it matters because they sign policies about the internet and they shouldn't be doing it unless it's for my brother's needs..

[hanaka88]

An washing for the cash?? An easy job? Right. My DS is 5 with needs. It's not easy cleaning up poo from my own child at 5. But I love him. Caring is NOT an easy job. At all,

[oldermummy11]

My brother couldn't have communicated it's OK with them

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

oldermummy11, could you elaborate a bit? Is your brother asleep overnight? Presumably if he wakes up, the carer would tend to his needs then and not stay surfing the net? What do you think the carers should be doing during the night?