Building Better Connections with Person Centred Profiles

Winter, EnableUs Community

Hey everyone, welcome back to The EnableUs Community Podcast. I'm Winter, and I'm here with Will, and today we're going deep on person-centred profiles—why they make such a difference in onboarding and how they set the stage for connection, right from the very first shift.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, thanks Winter. This is something I reckon every provider can relate to. We've all seen it, right? Someone gets sent to their first shift and they've got, what, an address and maybe a schedule? Next thing you know, you're walking into someone's home feeling like, basically, a stranger with a roster. Not a great start for anyone.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Absolutely. It's so awkward, and honestly, it's not fair on the participant or the worker. That’s why person-centred profiles, I mean real profiles—those go well beyond a medical summary. They actually let you get to know the person, their personality, what makes them tick, how they like to spend their time, what they're passionate about... all those details that shift things from "stranger in the lounge room" to genuine rapport.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, it's like you said, it's not about defining someone by their disability or whatever's written on their care plan. It's about seeing the whole person. You know, like, what makes them laugh, their go-to TV show, or even the way they like to communicate? All of it matters, and it makes the job actually enjoyable for the worker too.

Winter, EnableUs Community

That reminds me of my first big learning curve on shift—years ago now, but I still laugh. I had a profile to read before meeting this new participant, and it turned out she was this amazing gardener. Like, so passionate; her whole backyard was just flowers everywhere. The profile mentioned it, and honestly, it saved me. I walked in, spotted the potted lilies out front and just went, "Hey, are those yours?" Half an hour later, we were knee-deep swapping gardening stories. No first-meeting awkwardness, just instant connection.

Will, EnableUs Community

See, that’s the thing—details like that are what the best profiles capture. They help you find common ground straightaway, and suddenly the whole dynamic changes for the better.

Will, EnableUs Community

But it can't just stop at hobbies and personality, right? Like, a good profile, it needs to get practical. You know—daily routines, mobility, how someone likes their cuppa, those real-life details that can either make or break a support shift.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Exactly. And this is where it’s super useful for new workers. It’s that stuff you’d get to know eventually, but if it’s written down up front, everyone starts on the front foot. For example, if Michael’s profile says he’s particular about how his morning tea’s made, or there’s a preferred technique for his wheelchair transfer, you’re not guessing or, worse, getting it wrong on day one.

Will, EnableUs Community

I mean—I’ve been caught out on this. Honestly. A while back I jumped into a shift without reading the full profile—look, hands up, totally my mistake, and I own that. There was a quick note about a dietary thing in the profile and, of course, I missed it. Lunch came around, I cooked what I thought was fine, and... turns out, massive confusion, bit of an awkward chat, and I could’ve avoided the whole thing by just reading the note in the profile.

Winter, EnableUs Community

And it's not always about big clinical risks. Sometimes it's as simple as, “She hates mushrooms in any form,” or, “He uses his own spoon for every meal.” Those tiny pieces of info save you from so many awkward moments, and honestly, they make people feel seen and respected in the details of daily life.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and the same goes for risk stuff but without turning the profile into something, you know, scary. It's about what workers need to watch for, or how to respond if something happens. Say someone's got a seizure risk or gets anxious in crowds—knowing the triggers and calm-down strategies means you're prepared but not on edge.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Exactly. And keeping it accessible—like, emergency contacts and must-know info, that stuff should be quick to find, not buried in a novel. Makes it less stressful for everyone.

Will, EnableUs Community

And, documenting goals—so important. Profiles should capture what success looks like, right? If someone’s aiming to cook independently, workers need to know they’re supposed to guide, not just do things for them. It's about supporting the bigger picture.

Winter, EnableUs Community

And, look, profiles shouldn’t be written up once and then sit forgotten in some folder forever. They’ve gotta be living things—updated as people’s interests, goals, or needs change. I mean, lives change, right? New hobbies, new routines, even a whole new favourite food group sometimes!

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah—and teams have to actually use them, not just tick a box and move on. Profiles are meant for day-to-day prep and shift handover, not just for onboarding paperwork. That’s got to be built into the routine—like before your first shift, read the profile, think about it, maybe even check in with someone else who’s supported that person recently.

Winter, EnableUs Community

At EnableUs, we’re pretty big on doing regular reviews. We try for quarterly updates or whenever someone flags something’s out of date. Some participants love it—they get to add new things. I remember one fellow who started up woodworking. Next review, he was like, "Make sure you write I love sanding things." It was honestly kind of fun keeping up with his latest interests in the file.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and flagging outdated info is so important. Workers are the ones who notice when something’s changed, so they should always feel they can suggest updates. That’s what keeps profiles actually useful, not just old paperwork gathering dust.

Winter, EnableUs Community

And that’s something you can bring into team meetings, too. We ask, "Who’s got a good example of the profile making a difference this week?" It gets everyone engaged and keeps profiles top-of-mind, not just something you do once and forget.

Will, EnableUs Community

So, yeah, if you’re listening and you haven’t looked at the last profile you made or read, maybe give it a fresh look. And chat with your team about what could make them better—you’ll be surprised how helpful those small tweaks can be.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Alright, that’s us for today! Next episode, we’ll dive into some simple systems to make updating profiles easier for everyone. Will, thanks for the chat—always good stories from you.

Will, EnableUs Community

Thanks Winter, and thanks to everyone for tuning in. Go say hi to a profile this week, and we’ll catch you again soon!

Winter, EnableUs Community

Bye everyone!