Disability Support Workers

Position PurposeThe Disability Support Worker is responsible for delivering safe, respectful and individualised support to NDIS participants in accordance with their support plans, NDIS funding, service agreements, organisational policies and the NDIS Practice Standards.The role may involve supporting participants in their own homes, supported accommodation, respite/STA settings and within the community.Key ResponsibilitiesPerson-Centred SupportProvide high-quality, person-centred support based on each participant's individual needs, preferences, goals and support plan.Promote participant choice, dignity, privacy, independence and self-determination.Support participants to develop and maintain daily living skills.Encourage participants to make decisions about their own lives and supports.Build positive and professional relationships with participants, families, carers and support networks.Support participants to access and participate in community, social, recreational and employment activities.Personal Care and Daily LivingDepending on the participant's needs and your level of training, responsibilities may include:Personal hygiene and grooming.Showering, dressing and toileting.Meal preparation and assistance with eating.Domestic assistance and household tasks.Medication support in accordance with relevant policies and participant requirements.Mobility and transfers.Community access and transport.Continence support.Health-related supports where appropriately trained and authorised.High-intensity supports where the worker has completed the required training and competency assessment.Behaviour and Complex SupportImplement participant-specific behaviour support strategies as directed by the participant's support plan and Behaviour Support Plan.Recognise changes in behaviour, mood, presentation or wellbeing and report concerns promptly.Use positive, respectful and least-restrictive approaches.Follow all authorised procedures relating to restrictive practices.Respond appropriately to incidents, emergencies and escalating situations.Maintain participant and staff safety at all times.Documentation and CommunicationComplete accurate progress notes for every shift.Record incidents, hazards, injuries, medication issues and other relevant information promptly.Communicate significant changes or concerns to the Team Leader or Manager.Maintain confidentiality and protect participant information.Participate in handovers and team communication.Ensure documentation is factual, objective and professional.Safeguarding and ComplianceMaintain a strong understanding of participant rights and safeguarding responsibilities.Identify and report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation or other risks immediately.Follow Dignified Caring policies and procedures.Comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct and NDIS Practice Standards.Maintain professional boundaries with participants.Never engage in inappropriate financial, personal or social relationships with participants.Maintain confidentiality, including appropriate use of social media and electronic communication.Report incidents and hazards in accordance with organisational requirements.Essential RequirementsApplicants must have:Current NDIS Worker Screening Check.Current Working With Children Check where required for the position.Current First Aid Certificate.Current CPR Certificate.Valid Australian driver's licence where driving is required.Reliable access to transport where required.The right to work in Australia.Ability to work a flexible roster, including weekends, public holidays, evenings and sleepover/active night shifts where required.Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary support team.Commitment to person-centred practice and participant rights.Desirable Qualifications and ExperienceThe following are highly regarded:Certificate III or IV in Individual Support, Disability, Community Services or a related qualification.Previous experience working in the disability sector.Experience supporting participants with complex or high-intensity needs.Experience working within SIL, STA, MTA or community participation environments.Experience with behaviours of concern and positive behaviour support.Experience supporting participants with complex physical, psychosocial or intellectual disabilities.Experience with manual handling, transfers or specialised equipment.Experience supporting participants with health-related needs.Relevant specialist training, including High Intensity Daily Personal Activities where applicable.Personal AttributesWe are looking for people who are:Compassionate, respectful and genuinely committed to supporting people with disability.Reliable, punctual and accountable.Patient, calm and resilient.Professional and able to maintain appropriate boundaries.Comfortable working with complex support needs.Confident communicating with participants, families, colleagues and external professionals.Able to follow support plans, policies and clinical directions.Observant and able to identify changes in participant presentation or behaviour.Adaptable and willing to learn.Comfortable working independently while knowing when to escalate concerns.Committed to continuous improvement and quality support.Physical and Functional RequirementsThe position may require workers to:Assist with personal care.Support mobility and transfers.Use manual handling equipment.Stand, walk and remain active for extended periods.Support participants in the community.Respond safely to unexpected or emergency situations.Perform household and domestic tasks.Work in environments involving complex physical, behavioural or health support needs.All physical duties must be performed in accordance with participant-specific assessments, training, safe work procedures and organisational policies.Professional BoundariesDisability Support Workers are expected to maintain clear professional boundaries at all times.Workers must not:Borrow or lend money to participants.Accept inappropriate gifts or financial benefits.Become involved in participants' personal financial affairs.Develop inappropriate personal or intimate relationships with participants.Connect with participants through personal social media accounts unless specifically authorised by Dignified Caring.Share confidential participant information.Provide support outside their approved role, training or competency.Performance ExpectationsSuccessful employees are expected to:Deliver safe and high-quality participant-led support.Follow participant support plans and organisational procedures.Complete accurate and timely documentation.Maintain professional conduct and boundaries.Protect participant rights, dignity and privacy.Identify and escalate risks appropriately.Attend mandatory training and maintain required qualifications.Work collaboratively with Team Leaders, Managers, families and other professionals.Contribute positively to the culture of Dignified Caring.Continuously seek opportunities to improve the quality of support provided.Mandatory TrainingWorkers may be required to complete training relevant to their role and participant group, including:NDIS Worker Orientation Module.First Aid and CPR.Manual Handling.Infection Prevention and Control.Medication Support.Positive Behaviour Support.Restrictive Practices awareness.Incident reporting.Participant safeguarding.Epilepsy awareness.Diabetes awareness.PEG feeding.Catheter care.Complex bowel care.Hoist and transfer training.High Intensity Daily Personal Activities.Other participant-specific clinical training and competency assessments.Important: Workers must not perform specialised or high-intensity supports unless they have completed the required training and have been assessed as competent and authorised to perform the support.Safeguarding StatementDignified Caring has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, discrimination and inappropriate treatment of people with disability.Every worker has a responsibility to protect participants from harm and to immediately report concerns, incidents or allegations through the appropriate reporting channels.Equal Employment OpportunityDignified Caring is committed to providing an inclusive workplace and encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, skills and experiences.Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, suitability for the role and the ability to meet the requirements of the position.Employee AcknowledgementI acknowledge that I have read and understood the requirements of the Disability Support Worker position and agree to perform my duties in accordance with Dignified Caring policies, participant support plans, applicable legislation, the NDIS Code of Conduct and NDIS Practice Standards.