Reduce the stress on everyone by introducing your family member or dependent to the new care arrangements as soon as possible. Don’t leave this until the day you start your job.

Talk to your care providers for ideas on how to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Organise a back-up plan. Who can you call on from family, friends or other contacts if anything unexpected happens?

Expect the first days of care to be upsetting. It’s natural that you may feel a little worried and guilty. You may also miss your family member or dependent. Give it some time to see how everyone settles into the new routine. Seek support from your family and social network to help you through this difficult time.

Some suggested steps

1. Short visits to start
   At first, take them to the service or facility for some quick visits. Introduce them to their new care workers and spend time exploring the resources, activities and exciting aspects of this new place.
   
2. Time without you
   Allow them to spend a short period of time without you. Tears and uncertainty might make this a painful experience, so be prepared to take a walk to the shops or set aside some 'me' time while they get used to their new surroundings.
   
3. Explain why
   Explain to your loved ones why they are going to care and that you will always be back to pick them up. Talk about the new household routine and how they can help you.
   
4. Work up to longer visits
   Increase the duration each time you visit.

By the time you start your new job, both you and your child or other dependent should be more settled and comfortable being away from each other for the length of your shift or working day.

Child care

Every parent who has used child care will tell you that the early days were hard. Remain positive and focus on the benefits. Think of their socialisation, development and new friends they’re going to make along the way.

Ensure that you:

• clearly communicate the routine, needs and interests of your child with the staff
• talk with the staff about any concerns you may have
• ask how you will be given feedback on how your child is going
• have all the equipment (backpack, changes of clothes, bottles or special food if required, comforter, toy, etc) packed and ready if the care is outside your home
• expect some early colds and bugs if they’re in a service with other children, you’ll be impressed by the strong immune systems they develop!

If you care for an adolescent or adult

This can be a difficult time as change is hard for most people. The person you care for may well be resistant, but over time they may benefit from the socialisation, new friends and skills they can develop in professional care settings. Help them become accustomed to the new arrangements by:

• showing them around the new service
• introducing them to care workers, other clients and their families
• discussing their concerns openly

Remind yourself that your needs are important too.