Disability Support Worker In Broken Hill, Nsw

A Disability Support Worker works with people with a disability to achieve individual goals, dreams and aspirations and enhance the individual’s participation and inclusion in the community. This occurs through various planned, person-centred activities and the development and enhancement of independent living and social skills. They may also be involved in advocating on behalf of the people Utopia Care supports and providing other assistance where required.

A person employed as a Disability Support Worker works under general supervision within clearly defined guidelines and undertakes various activities and duties requiring applying acquired skills and knowledge. The general features of this position consist of performing functions that are defined by established routines, methods, standards, and procedures. Employees will be expected to gain a thorough understanding of all work processes and procedures relevant to their work area. They are responsible for managing time and planning and organising their own work.

The position is responsible for assisting the people we support in achieving planned, personal outcomes, which are clearly defined, measurable and regularly reviewed within the context of the individual’s requirements. This includes but is not limited to the implementation of skill development and social and recreational activities under limited supervision either individually or as part of a team in the delivery of individualised disability services and the supervision or provision of a wide range of personal care services to the people we support. These services may involve components of person-centred active support plans, health care plans, mental health care plans and positive behaviour support plans. 

Key Responsibilities:-

Duty of Care:- 

Demonstrate commitment to high-quality service for people with disabilities and support their rights, interests, and needs.

Household Support:-

Disability Support Workers are expected to provide support services for participants in their homes regularly. Due to the nature of the participant’s disability, support in the household includes assistance with domestic chores such as shopping for food, cooking, cleaning, and transport. Additionally, workers are required to assess the area's safety and assist with developing the participant’s independence.

Personal Care Support:-

Disability Support Workers provide daily personal care for people with disabilities. These tasks may include helping them to maintain general hygiene, dressing or supporting them through their disability programs. The level of support provided depends on the needs of the participant. Sometimes, the tasks required to carry out individual support may be challenging and demanding. Workers need to gain the skills and knowledge they need to navigate through these challenges and provide quality support to help those in need.

Emotional Support:-

People living with disabilities may feel isolated or withdrawn from society due to their inability to connect with others. The main qualities Disability Support Workers need are to be patient, understanding as well as compassionate, and empathetic to participants. Often, communicating with someone who takes the time to understand their needs can lift a huge weight from their shoulders. By organising social outings and providing emotional support, workers build a social community to encourage and enable them to live their best lives.

Leadership and Development:-

Manage effective interpersonal work relationships.

Support and participate in team learning and development.

Establish and maintain appropriate, professional work relationships.

Address issues or conflicts as they arise with a view to positive resolution.

Ensure a personal understanding of all relevant policies and procedures and ensure compliance.

Participate in all meetings/training as directed.

Inherent Requirements:-

The purpose of this section is to ensure that Disability Support Workers fully understand and can perform the inherent requirements of the position (with reasonable adjustments if required) and that they are not placed in an environment or given tasks that would result in risks to their safety or the safety of others.

The position may require the following tasks, among other things:

Manual handling (pushing, pulling, lifting, holding, carrying)

Sitting, standing, bending, reaching

Operating equipment

Use of personal protective equipment

General waste handling

Driving motor vehicles

Dealing with anxious or upset participants, family members, etc.

Work at and travel to various locations will be required. Functional Requirements

Person Centred Plans:-

Liaise with Service Delivery, other Support Workers, therapists, and family/carers to develop programs that build upon existing skills and expectations of the people we support.

Assist in developing and implementing opportunities for people we support based on their goals, aspirations, interests and wishes.

Assist the people we support to maintain and/or create relationships with their family and friends and to be involved in valued roles in the community.

Provide people with support to meet their specific and general health requirements.

Support people with disabilities to gain skills to be able to self-advocate and ensure privacy and personal choices are always respected.

Recognise, respect, and respond to the rights, interests, and requests of people we support and their formal and informal networks.

Respect and actively support indigenous and cultural diversity.

Ensure a person-centred active support approach to all areas of daily living of the people we support, including their active engagement in the planning of all activities.

Ensure a professional level of behaviour as per the Utopia Care Code of Conduct.

Provide support within the Positive Behaviour Support framework when people we support display behaviours of concern.

Reporting, Documentation and Administration:-

Ensure all administrative tasks are completed accurately and on time.

Day-to-day process of collection, use, storage, and dissemination of information.

Maintain documentation in accordance with relevant legislation requirements and Utopia Care policies, including, but not limited to, medication records, behaviour charts, medical and personal profiles, and reports about the progress of people we support, as well as organisational information required.

When assisting people we support, ensure care is carried out in a respectful and dignified manner.

Ensure medication distribution and administration are carried out according to organisational processes and procedures.

Risk and Workplace Health and Safety

Disability Support Workers must:

Take reasonable care of their own health & safety.

Take reasonable care for the health and safety of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Cooperate with anything Utopia Care does to comply with WHS requirements.

Demonstrate understanding and commitment to Workplace Health and Safety policy and procedures.

Understands and adheres to emergency procedures for own work location and Utopia Care premises.

Identifies potential risks and hazards in the working environment and responds to them appropriately and in accordance with organisation policy and procedures.

Reports all emergencies, hazards, incidents and near misses within defined timelines and following correct processes.

Records all emergencies, hazards, incidents and near misses using Visualcare.

Selection Criteria

Mandatory Requirements

Current Australian Driver’s License or accepted International Driver’s license, and access to/willingness to use and maintain own vehicle for work purposes (reimbursed as per Award)

Confirmation of your right to work in Australia, Satisfactory National/International Police,

NDIS Worker Screening Check and Working with Children Checks (if required) must be provided before commencement.

Current First Aid Certificate (including CPR).

Essential

Ability to behave in accordance with Utopia Care Values

Commitment to using a human rights-based, person-centred approach in working with people with all types of disability and always maximising their choice and control.

Sound knowledge of the NDIS and how it can assist people to achieve their goals.

Job Description – Disability Support Worker

Demonstrated high-level interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate with and relate well to people we support and their families, especially those with diverse communication styles and needs.

Knowledge of local community networks and a demonstrated commitment to ensuring the community has a positive image of people with disabilities and mental health issues.

Must have a personal smartphone and data to use the participant information system off-site effectively.

Willingness to participate in shift work, including various days, weekends, afternoons and/or evenings, and public holidays.

Preferred

The minimum qualification requirement in 2025 will be Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability). Disability Support Workers must have the capacity and willingness to undertake study to achieve this qualification.

Utopia Care will also consider favourably, for some positions, a Certificate IV or higher in one of the following:

Disability,

Aged Care/HACC

Community Services

Mental Health

or Allied Health Assistant