support worker

disability support worker

Southern Cross Community Healthcare

Having worked in other industries before moving into community care I had to transition and adapt to the challenges that working in the community presents.   

I read with interest the reviews already posted and can see there are certainly people with a less than favorable view.  What I have observed and experienced (being involved with community care now for over a decade) is that community care is not for everyone.  It deals with the broadest range of people from all cultures and preferences.  People who access support are also people who are some of the most vulnerable in the community which means that anyone who works within this industry has to be able to adapt to an ever changing landscape - it is not as structured as turning up and clocking on and off each day.  The work can sometimes be challenging but at the same time be very rewarding because without the thousands of people who turn up each day these vulnerable people would not remain living at home.  

Within this ever changing landscape I have found this organisation to be one of the most progressive and supportive organisations - particularly for those who have reached out.  Not every organisation is perfect, however in this organisation whenever a problem, complaint or difficult situation is identified or presented it is taken seriously and actioned - they have a focus on continually improving and to tailor support and services for each of their clients.  

Unfortunately not every complaint or concern gets heard and some fall through the cracks, however this does not mean to say that this organisation is not a great organisation.  For every one of the poor reviews on this page there are hundreds of people who reap the benefit and sing the praises of being involved with this organisation.

No matter where I go in my career I will always recommend this organisation to both Clients and Workers.

I rate my present employer at a very high level but as have since done and completed my Certificate IV in Pathology I really would much prefer to branch off into this more professional field, as it will no doubt enhance my career and job satisfaction.

My typical day at work is to provide part time assistance in the caring of a client with a severe disability which has given me the added ability to care for and handle clients with an enhanced  degree of professional caring.

In this job my only co-worker is the wife of this client and as I have also had many placements in hospitals in the Philippines where it was necessary for me to relate to both the Nursing Staff and the Medical Officers I have had the satisfaction of being able to work very effectively as a part of a Team.

The hardest part of my current job and the previous hospital work placements was the physical effort that was necessary to carry out all of the necessary work.

The most enjoyable part of the job is the satisfaction that the effective work I have carried out, which has quite often been commended and appreciated by all concerned..

Management do not communicate with each other or seem to have any idea of what they  are doing. They do not care about their staffs safety or well being, allowing them to be bullied by other staff and their participants. Very little training provided, which is scary as this is peoples lives we are potentially playing with and i would not be comfortable with having my family member being looked after by someone who has had very little formal training.
The company do not take staff members complaits seriously  and only care about keeping the participant happy and taking their money. Will set and play you up against other workers and your participants.
Their computer software  used for rostering and reporting also needs to be relooked.

Very poor roster admin communication from SCCH from the outset - I repeatedly had to request essential information that had not been provided. Other management communication is not well coordinated. There is no job security or possibility of advancement - rosters can be cut even when supposedly agreed after negotiation. There is a current workplace agreement between SCCH and the NSW Nurses & Midwives Association, however most staff are not aware of the conditions and rights set out in this agreement. Payment is always a full fortnight in arrears - this is not standard nor should it be acceptable.

Personal care work will always involve great benefits as you are working with gorgeous elderly people. This organisation however is not someone I would recommend, three RN's left within a 12 month period I was there due to poor management and communication. As a part time worker I attempted to assist by filling in when I could, however I was treated so poorly and accused of multiple (inaccurate) things that I left abruptly which is something I have never done in all my years of caring and haven't done since.

Southern cross pay less than any other DSW jobs. 
You are employed as a contractor (not casual). No room for professional growth. No job security. No opportunities for permanent positions or promotions. 
Lots of cliques within group homes. Bullying and favouritism. 
Clients are not looked after properly, particularly when they don’t have family or a close support network. The clients are forgotten about and left sitting in their own waste for days. 
They will offer no help or support when you ask for it; but they beg you endlessly when they need you to do something that benefits them. 

I was caring for the elderly in the community, at first it started of great, management was caring and understanding of my needs as a carer and a uni student. 
Management new of my uni studies from start as I had informed at my interview 
When it came time for me to go on my clinical work placement for my uni studies, management pretty much bullied me into leaving as they didn’t have anyone to fill my clients. 
I was told at my interview that you got paid an hourly rate, travel rate and then time spent travelling. The time travelling is a lie which I never got.....

Got sick on shift but couldn’t leave as there was an ongoing staffing crisis. Client would have died if I left, so I stayed and couldn’t take the time off for several weeks to see a doctor about it. Ended up calling ambulance for myself and the client, I now have a neurological disorder which I might otherwise have avoided. Took me 3 years to recover sufficiently to return to work part time, approx $400k in rehab expenses. They never even apologised.
There is no end to their negligence.

Avoid this company if you find a helpful and supportive company for your career.

The management do not care about workers, they care about ONLY clients and the MONEY! 
No communication, No education, need to manage yourself.
They do not review the "Duties plan" which needs and vital, they should find who willing to do tasks WHATEVER client wants, not just "SUPPORT WORKER."

Be careful of the contract you sign, as they have structured in a way to avoid employee liabilities 


When asking for extra support for a client that was high care, I wasn't offered any equipment to assist with moving the client, nor was I given another support worker to help with this role, despite the patient being immobile. Instead, I was replaced.  I was starting to get injuries from lifting patient without equipment or another worker. Surprise, now the next worker will most likely suffer the same . An ongoing cycle without consideration for the worker.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Support worker 26 salaries reported	$145,192 per year
Disability support worker 1 salary reported	$52.50 per hour

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