For the purpose of these case studies you are a support worker employed in a residential unit.

Gareth is 25 years old, and is a friendly man with a zest for life and lots of interests. Gareth has an acquired brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident. He lives in a residential unit with three other people. He is a member of the local basketball team and competes on a regular basis. He attends a Day Program and is a member of a social group, all of whom have mild intellectual disabilities, like him.

Gareth's interests include bike riding and swimming. He does not require supervision at the pool. The local pool is one kilometre away from the residence but involves negotiation of traffic lights at the intersection of a highway and a busy main road. Gareth is reliant on a support worker to take him to the swimming pool as he isn't able to get there on his own, therefore he is not able to spontaneously choose to go swimming.

Question 1 a) What are the skills that Gareth has that enable him to go swimming without supervision?

b) How might Gareth's individualised plan assist you in understanding his skills? Question 2 What skills doesn't Gareth have that are preventing him accessing the pool when it suits him? Question 3 a) How could you support Gareth in working out how to gain skills so that he can access the pool independently? b) How will you support Gareth in understanding the risks that may be involved? c) What is your duty of care responsibility in this situation?