Open Shifts make it easier to fill available shifts without assigning a support worker straight away.
Instead of selecting a staff member when creating a roster shift, you can offer the shift to eligible workers, allowing them to pick it up or submit a request for approval.
When should you use Open Shifts?
Open Shifts are useful when:
A support worker becomes unavailable and you need someone to cover their shift.
You have an upcoming shift but haven't decided who will work it.
You want to offer additional shifts to eligible staff.
You prefer staff to express interest before confirming an assignment.
How do Open Shifts work?
The process is simple:
Create an Open Shift: An administrator creates a shift in the roster and chooses who can see it.
Make it available: Once published, the shift becomes visible to eligible support workers in the Care Diary mobile app.
Staff pick up or request the shift: Depending on the assignment settings, workers can claim it immediately or request approval.
The shift is assigned: Once confirmed, the shift is added to the selected worker's roster.
Understanding the assignment options
When creating an Open Shift, you can choose how staff are assigned.
First to claim: The first eligible support worker to pick up the shift is automatically assigned.
Admin approval: Support workers submit requests, allowing an administrator to review them before assigning the shift.
You can also control who can see the opportunity by choosing Selected staff or Participant teams.
Who can use Open Shifts?
Administrators and rostering staff can create, publish and manage Open Shifts, provided they have the appropriate permissions.
Support workers can view eligible published Open Shifts in the Care Diary mobile app and pick them up or request them, depending on the shift settings and their eligibility.
Related guides
For detailed instructions, explore:
How to Create and Manage an Open Shift — Create, publish and manage available shifts.
How to Find and Request an Open Shift — Learn how support workers access and request shifts.
Understanding Open Shift Approvals and Staff Conflicts — Understand eligibility, approvals and scheduling conflicts.