People caring: Negotiating the space between an ethic of caring and keeping your distance

My first full-time job was as a direct care worker in a residential facility for children who had severe and profound intellectual disabilities. On my first day two things happened: firstly the manager took me into the office and told me not to get too involved with the clients, to keep my distance, it was better that way. Then I was introduced to the group I had been assigned to work with: four children ages 8 to 16, three boys, one girl. Brendan, with blonde hair, large blue eyes, perfect skin and a permanent smile on his face; David, green eyes, freckled skin and a sprite-like personality; Jimmy, brown wavy hair and a wicked sense of humour; Julie, the oldest of the four, permanently miserable unless winking at one of the male staff.