Disability Support Worker - Mental Health

Family Access Services is dedicated to supporting children, young people, and their families. We provide an award-winning service that combines empathetic and inclusive support for families. We constantly seek to innovate and tailor services to ensure that a client’s location or complex needs aren’t a barrier to accessing support. We take pride in delivering a comprehensive service that sets families and individuals up for success and reflects best practice within the sector. 

An NDIS Disability Support Worker plays an important part in safeguarding an NDIS participant’s well-being. As a Support Worker, you are responsible for providing support and care to our clients, in the home and in the community. 

We are growing and looking for experienced Support Workers with flexibility to travel. We have clients across Perth metro area, both north and south of the river. The role is on a casual basis, with more shifts when required.

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification such as the following is highly favourable:
  • Certificate III in Individual Support, Community Services or Disability Services or equivalent
  • Given industry experience, those currently completing studies may be considered.

Certificates (essential, and willing to provide or obtain)

• A current First Aid (HLTAID003 or HLTAID004) and CPR (HLTAID001) certificate.
• Willing to obtain Mental health first aid certificate. 
• Willing to obtain A Manual Handling certificate.
• NDIS New Worker Orientation Module certificate (can be completed after the interview)
• Current Working With Children Check (WWCC,)
• NDIS Worker Screening Check
• Current National Police Check (not older than 6 Months)

Motor Vehicle

• Must hold current unrestricted Australian C Class driver’s licence and be a confident driver 
• Access to a reliable motor vehicle for transporting clients – remuneration for any KM’s incurred whilst with a client. 
• Current comprehensive and comprehensive motor vehicle insurance on the car transporting clients

Main Duties

Duties will vary according to the participant's support plan but may include:

• Work alongside clients to support and assist them with all aspects of daily living (including meal preparation), housework and household admin, personal care for low care 
• Assisting people to perform important daily activities
• Facilitating daily personal hygiene and dressing tasks
• Performing home-based tasks such as food preparation and housework
• Undertaking tasks outside the home such as shopping
• Ensuring varied programs of social activities
• Community access and social inclusion as required
• Provide emotional support and personal care to all our clients both in their home and out in the community
• Support our clients to meet their NDIS goals, ensuring our clients’ needs are being met
• Collaborate and empower clients to make sound decisions and informed choices
• Monitor our clients’ physical and emotional well-being, recording any concerns and reporting them to the relevant clinician
• Work independently, as well as under direction and within a team environment
• Be calm and confident in all different environments and understand the importance of professional boundaries
• Provide personal care and hygiene with dignity and sensitivity to our clients
• Believe in an inclusive society and value client focus, respect, inclusion, integrity, excellence, and courage
• Demonstrate understanding of a person-centred approach
• Follow established support work practices, and all procedures and policies
• Promote and assist clients to live an active, healthy and positive lifestyle
• Follow individual support care plans
• Assist with client skill development (eg. shopping, cooking, budgeting, using public transport etc.)
• Safely transport clients as required
• Provide prompting for different client needs including medication and assistance as per established procedures
• Safely use manual handling techniques and help clients with mobility
• Excellent problem solving and conflict management skills.
• Crisis Intervention: Being prepared to respond to crisis situations, such as suicidal ideation, self-harm, or acute Mental Health episodes. This might involve implementing safety plans, providing immediate support, and connecting participants with appropriate crisis services.
• Advocacy: Advocating on behalf of participants to ensure their rights are upheld, their needs are met, and they have access to appropriate services and resources. This could involve liaising with service providers, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of participant progress, support provided, and any relevant incidents or observations. This includes completing required paperwork and reports in accordance with NDIS guidelines.
• Professional Development: Engaging in ongoing training and professional development to enhance your knowledge and skills in Mental Health support, disability services, and relevant therapeutic approaches.
• Collaboration: Collaborating with other professionals involved in the participant's care, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, general practitioners, and allied health professionals. This ensures a coordinated and holistic approach to support.
• Any other reasonable duties as required. 

Other Requirements

• NDIS awareness, particularly concerning Support Workers and the importance of choice and control for NDIS participants
• Working rights in Australia (eg. Passport & Visa, Birth Certificate etc.)
• A smartphone with an iOS 13.0 and up operating system or an Android 6.0 and up operating system
• Willingness to accept both short shifts and shifts at short notice
• Must have good availability - able to work weekends and nights.

Experience

The NDIS Disability Support Worker’s experience will vary, but the following are preferred:

• Minimum 6 months of experience in a similar role
• Experience working with people with disability and complex behaviours
• Minimum of 12 months paid experience in disability if no relevant qualification in Disability or Aged Care or Individual Support

Preferred skills include:

• Provide advice and consultation by making phone calls to NDIS participants, families, and external service providers
• Liaise with colleagues and discussing service options for NDIS participants
• Support to assist NDIS participants in implementing their NDIS plan
• Ability to collaborate with all stakeholders to keep them informed
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and apply active listening at all times
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with stakeholders
• Excellent critical thinking skills with the ability to problem solve
• Strong time management and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office and other basic computer program
• Ability to work as part of a team.

To apply for this position, please address the requirements and outline why you think you’re the best fit for the job in a one page cover letter, and email this together with a copy of your resume to Tina at ***********@familyaccessservices.com.au by 5 April 2024. If you would like to have a confidential chat about the role, call Tina on 0418 294 ***.