Job description: – Duties and Responsibilities

Provision of care and supports to participants as detailed in their support plans. 

General

• Always check your understanding of the participant’s required tasks before commencing your work.
• Implement personal hygiene and infection control procedures
• Be alert if you notice the participant is distressed or apathetic (uninterested or listless)
• Adjust your tasks to meet participant’s needs, preferences and priorities
• Record all work as per the organisation’s requirements

Work Practices

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

• 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
• Providing emotional support and friendship
• incorporate Child Safe Standards in their practice when working with children and young people
• Report any real or potential risks of harm to a participant, including child and young people

Communicate:

• clearly, inclusively and respectfully
• adapt to participant’s age, culture and cognitive ability
• understand individual communication – verbal and non-verbal
• use the best communication method to recognise the difference between self and participant
• be persistent and patient

Build trusted relationships

• build relationships based on mutual respect
• determine what makes the participant feel safe and valued
• work with both participant and their important people to understand how they are involved
• communicate directly with the participant unless otherwise determined
• prioritise participant’s voice during any conflict
• treat equally but recognise the imbalance in the relationship
• recognise and report any threat in circumstances and environment

Rights

• understand participant and worker rights
• support participant to express views, raise concerns, report complaints and incidents

Work Collaboratively

• support all supporting stakeholders
• work within role and responsibility
• recognise the participant’s skills, experience and contribution to everyone in the team
• keep participants informed when sharing and discussing them
• focus on strengths
• be optimistic, hope and patience

Observe and respond

• review all relevant notes and support plan information
• identify needs and strategies
• clarify your understanding
• be observant, attentive and present
• act responsively and flexibly
• celebrate reaching goals and independence
• maximise participant’s control and confidence

Heath and Safety

• talk to participant/supervisor about any intermittent conditions to determine strategies when confronted with the situation
• support access to preventative and responsive health, dental etc
• respond quickly if the participant is uncomfortable, distressed, apathetic or in poor health
• identify potential and actual risks, then act promptly and in consultation with the participant 
• escalate to your supervisor any situation when the participant is at risk
• identify and report any work health and safety issues
• promote independence and choice never use restrictive practice unless approved and trained in the practice

Qualifications preferred: –

• Current Worker Screening and WWCC (if required)
• First Aid Certificate
• Drivers License
• Reliable and comprehensively insured vehicle
• New Worker NDIS Induction Module
• Smartphone

A formal certificate may not be required if the individual has relevant experience and skills – recommended qualifications Certificate III in Individual Support, Mental Health, Aged Care, Community Services, Disability Work or similar

Experience preferred:-

• Preferred minimum six months relevant experience
• Experience supporting people with disability
• Demonstrated continuing professional development.
• Knowledge of continuous quality improvement principles
• Use of equipment related to personal and work safety
• Promoted participant’s choice and independence
• Supported participants in hygiene practices

Skills preferred:-

• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with various ages, cultures and ability levels
• Ability to build rapport and trust with clients.
• Strong time management and ability to prioritise.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office suite of programs and other computer systems for record-keeping.
• Excellent problem solving and conflict management skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and maintain good working relationships.