Disability Support Worker

About Us :

Disability Support Services

About You :

Beneficial or willing to obtain during employment:

• Certificate III in Individual Support is desirable
• Current Medication Endorsement or ability to attain
• NDIS Worker Induction & Orientation Certificate

Licences & Checks:

• Unrestricted NSW Drivers Licence
• NSW Working with Vulnerable People Check
• National Police Check
• Current First Aid & CPR

Position Summary :

The role of Disability Support Worker will provide support to participants with a disability which will include personal care, domestic support as well as facilitating the participants to access the community. The duties performed will be tailored to the needs of the participant and will vary depending on their needs and the scope of their support request.

Key Requirements :

• Previous experience in a relevant industry, service or an equivalent level of expertise and experience to undertake the range of activities required
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the NDIS Code of Conduct and guidelines
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Choice and Control and Person-centred approaches
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Behavioural Support principles and guidelines
• Intermediate IT skills in word processing and email programs
• Demonstrated ability to build strong and mutually beneficial relationships
• Intermediate problem solving, consultation and negotiation skills
• Intermediate written and comprehension skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and make informed decisions under pressure
• Ability to work within a diverse team environment
• Ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changes, or specific participant requirements.

Additional requirements:

• Ability to travel for work purposes to various sites and participants home
• Access to own reliable transport, with insurance
• Availability to work shift work, which may include weekdays, afternoon, evening, overnights, weekends and public holidays
• Willingness to undertake fitness for work assessments if required

Job Responsibility :

Assistance with Independence:

• Assistance with Daily Activities: Assisting and/or supervising participants with various daily tasks such as meal preparation, ensuring proper nutrition, assistance with eating and drinking, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. This may also include assistance with planning and preparing meals according to dietary needs, encouraging hydration throughout the day, and offering guidance on nutrition and healthy eating habits.
• Mobility Assistance: This includes assisting participants who require aid with mobility, including assistance with transfers from bed to wheelchair, using mobility aids, or navigating safely within their environment. This includes providing physical assistance during transfers, using proper lifting techniques to prevent injury, and implementing strategies for improving mobility and independence over time.
• Emotional Support: Providing emotional support and companionship is a fundamental aspect of the role. This involves actively listening to the individual, offering encouragement, and providing reassurance during challenging times, validating the individual's feelings, providing comfort during periods of distress, and fostering a sense of trust and security.
• Household Tasks: Assistance with light household chores to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment. This may include tasks such as cleaning, laundry, organising living spaces, meal planning, grocery shopping, home organisation, gardening, and minor repairs or maintenance as needed.
• Transportation: Some individuals may need assistance with transportation to medical appointments, social outings, or other activities, ensuring they can engage fully in community life. This may involve coordinating transportation arrangements, accompanying individuals on outings, and ensuring safety during travel.
• Personal Care: This includes assisting participants with personal hygiene tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting.
• Medication Management: This includes assisting participants with their medication management, including reminders, administration under supervision, monitoring for any side effects or changes in health, maintaining accurate medication records, coordinating with healthcare professionals as needed, and providing education on medication usage and potential interactions.
• Social Support: This includes assisting participants with encouraging and facilitating social interactions and participation in community activities to foster social inclusion and a sense of belonging. This may involve assisting individuals in identifying and accessing community resources, supporting participation in social events and recreational activities, and promoting connections with peers and support networks.
• Community Engagement Support: This includes assisting participants to engage in various community, social, and recreational activities according to their interests and preferences.
• Financial Support: This includes assisting participants with their financial management, including assisting them with shopping, banking, and accessing funds.
• Employment Support: This includes assisting participants with their individual goals, which may include preparation for employment, volunteering activities, or assisting participants while they are at work.
• Participant Plans: Assisting with the implementation of participant plans, service offerings, and supports to meet individual goals, while routinely reviewing and updating relevant documentation to ensure alignment with participant needs and objectives.
• Communication and Support: Engaging with and supporting participants' families, carers, and guardians to address the participant's needs and goals effectively, demonstrating empathy, understanding, and respect in all interactions by ensuring communication is provided in a form, language, and manner that enables the participant to understand the information. This may include a range of communication tools to communicate with the people they support, using assistive technology and alternative forms of communication, such as email, text messages, or symbols.
• Supported Decision-Making: This includes supporting people with disability to make decisions. This can include assisting with options and advice, consulting and involving relevant stakeholders, encouraging the participant, and advocating.

Types of Support:

• Day Supports: Providing assistance with daily support or scheduled activities, which may involve coordinating with other service providers or family members.
• Night-Time Sleepover Support: Offering overnight assistance with personal tasks while allowing the caregiver to sleep during periods of inactivity. This support is available any day of the week and includes up to two hours of active support.
• On-Call Overnight Monitoring: Providing on-call assistance or supervision of personal tasks during overnight hours, whether onsite or off-site, with up to one hour of active support included.
• High Intensity Supports: Offering assistance or supervision with personal tasks to help participants develop skills for independent living, particularly for those requiring more skilled or experienced Support Workers.

Compliance & Reporting:

• Act with respect for individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination, and decision-making in accordance with applicable laws and conventions.
• Respect the confidentiality and privacy of participants.
• Act with integrity, honesty, and transparency.
• Promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that may impact the quality and safety of supports and services provided to people with disability.
• Take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence, neglect, exploitation, and sexual misconduct.
• Adhering to relevant Company Policies and Procedures, including codes of conduct, guidelines, and policies.
• Adherence to the NDIS Code of Conduct and NDIS Guidelines.
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation of participant interactions and progress in the designated record management system.
• Reporting any incidents, including medication errors, incidents, serious incidents, alleged reportable incidents practicable, as outlined in company policies.
• Attendance and participation in company and team meetings.

Workplace Health & Safety:

• Utilise safe manual handling and specialised equipment where required.
• Utilise and wear PPE as required, by PPE guidelines and directions.
• Report any injuries, incidents, hazards, or near misses as soon as practicable.
• Abide by company and legislative workplace health and safety policies, procedures, safe work methods to ensure your own, participant, and other team's safety.

All Employees:

• To provide participants with high-quality support that addresses individual needs and enhanced independence, abilities, community participation, and/or quality of life, all employees are expected to:
• Ensure personal and team contribution support overall team effectiveness by demonstrating a high level of commitment and efficient follow-through of any tasks until completion or as otherwise agreed with the Managing Directors.
• Maintain a cooperative team environment by communicating openly and in a friendly manner, working efficiently and amicably with all members of the team.
• Consult and collaborate with colleagues, managers, and subject matter experts (internally and externally) to ensure the best possible outcomes.
• Monitor and report performance against KPIs and take corrective action as required.
• Emulate and encourage others to adhere to Stellar Support Services' values in all work-related activities.
• Declare and avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest.

Job Functions :

Community development

Job Benefits :

• We are a small company located in the Cressnock area.
• We are flexible, understanding and compassionate and have a genuine care for our team.
• Employee Benefits Package.

Selling Point :

N/A

Contact :

Melanie Harrison