Disability Support Worker (Hunter/Newcastle)

This position is responsible for providing support to individuals with a disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This position supports individuals with their care needs (including complex needs, dual diagnosis and behaviours of concern), encourages them to live independently, assists them to be involved in the community and achieve their goals. Will need to have flexible availability for a range of shifts across a 24/7 roster, this will include active shifts and weekends.

Primary role responsibilities:

• Disability Support Workers will commit to rostered hours by negotiation with the Team Leader.
• Engage positively with participants and always promote their best interests, safety and wellbeing while holding a trauma-informed lens.
• Function as part of a care team, undertaking tasks and actions as agreed by the team.
• Maintain professional relationships at all times and in all circumstances.

Operational role responsibilities:

• Contribute to the day-to-day needs and schedules within the house to support the wellbeing of participants.
• Encourage and support participants' ongoing safety and developmental wellbeing, including promoting self-esteem, appropriate health, diet, exercise, hygiene, sexual and personal development.
• Assist with appropriate living skills in the areas of healthy meal preparation, domestic chores e.g. washing, household cleaning, garden maintenance and day-to-day household management needs.
• Maintain positive and respectful relationships with the families and significant others within the participants’ support networks.
• Follow participants’ Individual Support Plans, Behaviour Support Plans and Health Care Plans.
• Commitment to ongoing training and professional development to increase skills to care for participants in the home and with all members of a Care Team.
• Keep accurate records, files and attend to reporting requirements in a consistent and clear manner in line with statutory, agency and program responsibilities.
• Work at all times in accord with NSW legislation, NDIS Standards, as well as Trieste Foundation policies and procedures.
• Perform any other duties as may be required from time to time that are consistent with the Support Worker and Agency responsibilities.

Professional attributes:

• Understand the complexities and challenges facing people with disabilities and is committed to providing high quality therapeutic care and attention to each participant.
• Commitment to professional growth and developing therapeutic practice skills; successfully completes training and development opportunities as requested.
• Embeds therapeutic practices, routines and responses tailored to each participant.
• Willingness to take direction and work collaboratively to create a team culture that reflects positive care experiences for each participant.
• Punctual, reliable and communicates their needs and/or concerns clearly.
• Computer literacy skills including the ability to use electronic case management systems and complete required documentation within a timely manner.
• Competent writing skills and verbal communication skills.
• Understands professional boundaries and abides by the Code of Conduct.

Personal attributes:

• People-centred and enjoy building and holding relationships.
• Respectful, listen deeply and are reflective of their own responses.
• Compassionate and empathic with self-initiative and awareness.
• Understand and respond empathically to participants who have communication difficulties and challenging behaviours.
• Model and mentor participants to develop appropriate life care skills.
• Ability to be self-regulated in response to participants who may be distressed or experiencing heightened emotions.
• Has a sense of humour and an energy for being fun.
• Can accommodate changes at short notice and adjust priorities.
• Possesses good internal resilience and practices self-care.

Qualifications:

• Certificate III or higher in Disability, Community Services, Individual Support or similar – or considerable sector experience and willingness to obtain qualification.
• First Aid
• WWCC
• Driving Licence and Comprehensive Car Insurance essential.

Reports to: Team Leader/House Coordinator/Operations Manager