Understanding introductory meetings
Why family-led introductory meetings and onboarding sessions matter — and how to make them feel calmer for everyone.
Introductory meetings — sometimes called familiarisation meetings or onboarding sessions — are the bridge between meeting a carer on paper and welcoming them into someone's daily life. Treated well, they make everything that follows easier.
What an introductory meeting is — and isn't
An introductory meeting is a chance for the family, the person being supported, and the carer to meet calmly and see how things feel. It is not a job interview, and it is not the start of a shift. The pace should be gentle.
A simple structure that often works
Tea, introductions, no clipboards. Let the room relax.
Talk about who the person is — interests, routines, what makes a good day.
Walk through routines, equipment and key support needs.
Space for the carer to ask, and for the family to ask back.
No pressure to decide on the spot. Agree what happens next.
Gradual onboarding
Most settled relationships start with several shorter, gentler sessions rather than one long one. For autism support, children's support, or anyone anxious around change, this graduated approach makes a real difference.
- First meeting without the person present, if helpful
- Shorter follow-up meeting with the person present
- Familiarisation alongside an existing carer or family member
- First independent shift, often shorter than usual
- Regular check-ins in the first few weeks
Common questions
HBS is an onboarding and verification platform. We help PHB families connect with verified independent carers, and support the training and competency development that makes introductions calmer. Carers operate independently, and families direct ongoing care arrangements directly.