Managing Relationships with Professionals

As carers and whānau, it is possible you may deal with a wide range of ‘professional’ staff.  These people may work for the government or support organisations.  In an ideal world you, your whānau and the professional/s you work with would work harmoniously together – united in the common aim of providing the best possible care, strategies and resources.

The reality can be very different. Professionals and people in authority can sometimes appear like an enemy.  You may experience some professionals as  aloof, uncaring, difficult to access and unwilling to share information.  Likewise a carer can be cast in the role of being ‘difficult’ and ‘demanding’ as they fight for basic rights for the person they are caring for.

Below, is a selection of approaches and strategies that are intended to make it more likely that you (the carer or whānau) and the professional/s you interact with develop a shared goal, have clarity and work together constructively.

Ten tips when interacting with professionals

It is possible you will get more control of the situation and more readily achieve your goals if you use some of the following approaches:

  • # One

    Before you make contact, try to be optimistic. Getting into an “open and positive” frame of mind, believing that they will be in a position to be helpful, will help frame a constructive connection.

  • # Two

    Get really clear on what you are wanting before you make contact. It may be useful to talk to other people (in similar situations) about what could be possible.  Sometimes, we make contact with professionals because we don’t like something that is happening.  It is good to take a moment to figure out “what you are wanting” (not what you don’t want).

    Other times we make contact with professionals because we believe there are some supports or resources that would assist us.  Again, it is ideal if we approach them with a clear idea of what we are looking for and how we think they can support us.

  • # Three

    After you have stated what you want, it can be useful to express how obtaining what you want will bring about a positive result for you, the person you are caring for AND the professional you are talking to. This helps reinforce the value of what you want.

    It can be important to remember that most people get involved with “human services” because they want to ‘do the right thing’ or ‘be useful to other people’.  Professionals sometimes appreciate being recognised as people who are trying to do the right thing.  You describing how this can happen can be very helpful. Help them find a way to help you and you will make their day.

  • # Four

    Try to set up a partnership. Get alongside the professional.  Be unfailingly polite, friendly and calm. Be clear about what you can offer and find out, from them, what they need in the situation.

  • # Five

    Acknowledge their specialised knowledge and skills. They have access to knowledge, skills and other resources you might need.

  • # Six

    Keep remembering that you are probably “both on the same side”.

  • # Seven

    Understand the constraints they might work under. It is possible they are working with many complex situations with very little time or support themselves. Don’t shoot the messenger. Ask them to help find ways around, under or through the apparent brick walls.

  • # Eight

    Remember it is possible (likely) that nobody knows your family member, or the person you have been caring for, better than you do. See if the professional can meet your family member. Showing can be better that telling.

  • # Nine

    Trust your own judgement about what feels right. You know what you and your family/situation can realistically manage.

  • # Ten

    Stay very clear about your goals in any meeting. Know what you want and be prepared to keep asking for it.

In some situations, you may come across a professional who does not have the authority to action what you need or the skills to appropriately understand or respond to your situation.  You may need to work with them to see if there is someone else you, or ideally both of you, need to involve in your situation.

It can be a good idea to contact other local families before making contact with a professional.  Other local people may know who the “best” professional to contact is.

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