AIBU to ask what to wear as a Support Worker

[Bobstar2020]

I've recently been made redundant from my Part-Time Office Job. I've managed to secure 24 hours as a Support Worker, working in a small residential home for people with Learning Disabilities. It's something I never thought I'd see my self doing but in this climate, I'm very happy to have a job and it should be interesting. The residents seem very lovely. Having worked in an office for my whole working life it will be weird not to get dressed up for work. There is no uniform. What do you think is ideal workwear for this sort of role?

Jeans and t shirt

Anything comfortable and washable, flat shoes, no grabbable jewellery.

Most of the staff in the LD homes run by my employer wear jeans and t-shirts or shirts/blouses.

I had my own sort of uniform of jeans, t-shirts, hoodies and trainers for work when I had a support worker job.

Basically comfy clothes and shoes that you can move in, and you don't mind if they get ruined - I worked in a place where some residents had challenging behaviour, so a few t-shirts got ripped (not always aggressively, some of the residents just grabbed the back of them to show me things etc).

What kind of stuff did you see staff wearing when you were there for interviews etc? I wouldn’t wear jeans on first day unless I was sure others were and it’s allowed. Better to be a bit overdressed on first day than be a scruff. Good luck in your new job

Comfortable to move in and easily washed. ‘Respectable’ cut (no boobs/bums/bellies on show!). Judge by what others working there are wearing if you’re not sure.
Congratulations on your new job! :)

Jeans and a t shirt or blouse. Closed toe shoes, no flip flops. Watch the dangly earrings and jewellery. Careful if you have rings in a high mount - very easy to scratch a client whilst supporting personal care.
Have a spare outfit in your car for the occasional flying bolognaise. I also keep a waterproof and wellies in my car ready to grab for ad hoc trips out (rare as hens teeth these days...) to the local farm.

Firstly congratulations on your new job .I used to support adults with learning difficulties as a team leader .We always got clothes from Primark , plain and not expensive as it can get ripped often not on purpose but accidentally. I say plain as some people with autism can find patterns on clothing to sensory .You should be made aware of this though it should be I the person's care plan .
Nothing that can be grabbed ie loose jewelry, necklaces etc .Hair is another one if you have long hair I would tie it back and there is the risk of it being pulled .
Flat , comfy shoes .As another op has put no cleavage showing such as low neck top .I loved my time as a support worker did it for a number of years now do community dom care .
Good luck it is a really rewarding job .

Better to be a bit overdressed on first day than be a scruff.

True, but OP will be working in someone's home if that makes sense, so casual dress, stuff that she would normally wear day to day, is more appropriate than formal workwear. Obviously make sure everything is clean and ironed, but a clean t-shirt, jeans and sketchers are more appropriate than a formal shirt, trousers and ballet pumps, which will probably stick out, and might make the residents feel uncomfortable if she goes shopping etc with them.

Good luck OP, I loved my support worker job

Congratulations on your new job, I've been in residential support for 6 years and love it although some days I need a large gin when I get home but the good far outweighs the bad 😁

We generally wear jeans, t-shirt, hoodie and trainers.

Our place is for kids so there can be lots of running around, playing tag or rolling around on the floor plus the usual moving & assisting etc which needs a lot movement sometimes so make sure you can move freely, nothing too tight fitting!

We don't wear jewellery except an analogue watch (useful to accurately time seizures if needed), hair tied back and if you wear glasses get a spare set or a cheap work pair just incase.

When my friend had a similar job she was told to make sure to bend over in a mirror to check her cleavage or the bottom of her back weren't on show and no perfume was allowed either. I think your comfort is paramount so something like straight legged joggers (M&S style rather than sports style), a long top/t shirt and daps/trainers. Definitely no hoop or dangling earrings and jewellery. Good luck in your new job!

Trousers!

I'd also add no skirts, as you may well end up sitting on floors or bending down lot. And no tops that ride up and show your midriff if you lift your arms.

Casual, but clean and presentable but also nothing you mind getting stained, dirty or ripped, though don't wear anything stained dirty or ripped already! No jewellery unless you are happy to lose it or it get damaged.

@Ohtherewearethen

When my friend had a similar job she was told to make sure to bend over in a mirror to check her cleavage or the bottom of her back weren't on show and no perfume was allowed either. I think your comfort is paramount so something like straight legged joggers (M&S style rather than sports style), a long top/t shirt and daps/trainers. Definitely no hoop or dangling earrings and jewellery. Good luck in your new job!

@Ohtherewearethen I know the M&S joggers you mean, I have a couple of pairs and they feel more comfortable and less restrictive than jeans. They mentioned no perfume, jewelry, etc but your description is really good. I've got a couple of these Regatta lightweight hoodies :-

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D2HNPYN/ref=twister_B08FFPFZ31?psc=1&th=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21
They're plain with no slogans or anything.
Do you think some M& S straight leg joggers, a hoody as above, a T-shirt underneath in case hot and need to take hoody off and a pair of trainers/Sketchers/converse and I'd be good to go?

Sounds like you're all sorted! 😉

Leggings loose t shirt and hoodie, you will probably be hot. Comfortable trainers.

Congratulations! No scarves or open toed shoes, trainers are ideal so that that you can run. Make sure your hair is tied back too.