Position Title: Disability Support Worker
Employment Type: Casual / Part-time / Full-time
Location: Community, participant’s home, supported accommodation and community settings
Reports To: Team Leader / Care Coordinator / Manager
Position Summary
The Disability Support Worker is responsible for providing safe, respectful and person-centred support to participants living with disability. The role focuses on assisting participants with daily living, personal care, community access, social participation, household tasks and skill development according to their individual support plan, goals and preferences.
The Disability Support Worker must promote the participant’s dignity, choice, independence, privacy and safety at all times.
Key Responsibilities1. Personal Care Support
Provide support with personal care according to the participant’s care plan, including:
- showering, grooming and dressing
- toileting and continence support
- oral hygiene
- mobility and transfers
- eating and drinking support
- skin care and hygiene
- use of PPE and infection control procedures
2. Daily Living Support
Assist participants with daily activities such as:
- meal preparation
- light household cleaning
- laundry
- changing bed linen
- shopping
- attending appointments
- medication prompting, if included in the support plan and within role scope
3. Community Access and Social Support
Support participants to access the community safely, including:
- social activities
- recreational activities
- appointments
- shopping
- exercise or walking
- family visits
- community programs
Encourage participation, independence and confidence.
4. Participant Safety and Wellbeing
Monitor and report any changes in the participant’s health, behaviour, mood or general wellbeing, including:
- illness or injury
- falls or near misses
- changes in behaviour
- signs of distress, anxiety or agitation
- medication concerns
- poor food or fluid intake
- skin changes or wounds
- safety risks in the home
Report concerns promptly to the supervisor or appropriate person.
5. Documentation and Reporting
Complete accurate and timely documentation, including:
- progress notes
- incident reports
- shift notes
- behaviour observations
- medication prompting records, where applicable
- communication notes
- handover information
All documentation must be factual, respectful and completed according to organisational policy.
6. Behaviour Support
Follow the participant’s behaviour support plan where applicable.
Use calm communication, patience and de-escalation strategies. Do not argue, threaten, shame or use restrictive practices unless authorised and included in the behaviour support plan.
Report behaviour changes and incidents immediately.
7. Choice, Dignity and Rights
Support participants in a way that respects:
- dignity
- privacy
- cultural needs
- religious needs
- communication preferences
- personal choices
- independence
- confidentiality
Encourage the participant to make decisions about their own life where possible.
8. Teamwork and Communication
Work respectfully with:
- participants
- families
- carers
- nurses
- support coordinators
- allied health professionals
- managers
- other support workers
Provide clear handover and communicate concerns early.
Skills and ExperienceEssential
- Experience in disability, aged care, community care or similar support role
- Good communication skills
- Ability to follow care plans and instructions
- Reliable, patient and respectful
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Understanding of privacy, dignity and duty of care
- Ability to complete documentation accurately
Desirable
- Certificate III or IV in Disability, Individual Support, Aged Care or Community Services
- Experience with participants with complex needs
- Experience with mental health, autism, intellectual disability or behaviours of concern
- Manual handling experience
- Medication prompting experience
- First Aid and CPR
Required Checks and Documents
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
- Working With Children Check, if required
- National Police Check, if required
- First Aid Certificate
- CPR Certificate
- Driver’s licence, if transport is required
- Comprehensive car insurance, if using own vehicle
- COVID-19 vaccination evidence, if required by organisation or participant setting
Key Selection Criteria
The successful Disability Support Worker will be able to:
- Provide safe and person-centred support to people with disability.
- Respect participant choice, dignity, privacy and independence.
- Follow support plans, behaviour plans and organisational policies.
- Communicate clearly with participants, families and team members.
- Identify and report risks, incidents and changes in participant condition.
- Complete accurate progress notes and incident reports.
- Work calmly and professionally in challenging situations.
Example Duty Statement
The Disability Support Worker will support participants with personal care, daily living tasks, community participation and social support in line with their NDIS goals and individual care plan. The worker will promote independence, ensure safety, maintain professional boundaries, complete documentation, report concerns promptly and provide respectful, culturally appropriate and person-centred support.Disability
Pay: From $34.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
