Disability Support Worker in Sydney

Location: Participant homes and community settings, as rostered.

Position purpose: The Disability Support Worker provides person-centred support to people with disability to maintain or build independence, daily living skills, safety, wellbeing and participation in home and community life. Support must be consistent with each participant’s preferences, goals, support plan, risk assessments, relevant clinical or behaviour-support instructions, Kerima Care policies and applicable legal and NDIS requirements.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide respectful, individualised support with daily living activities as agreed and authorised, which may include personal care, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, eating and drinking support, and household tasks.
• Support participants to develop and maintain daily-living skills, make choices, exercise control and work towards their individual goals.
• Follow participant support plans, health and safety instructions, mealtime management plans, communication plans, positive behaviour support plans and other relevant documented guidance.
• Support community access, appointments, recreation and social participation where included in the participant’s plan and roster.
• Observe and report changes in health, behaviour, mood, mobility, nutrition, hydration, skin integrity or general wellbeing to the appropriate supervisor and follow escalation procedures.
• Administer or assist with medication only where permitted by law and organisational policy, and only after required training, competency assessment, authorisation and documentation arrangements are in place.
• Undertake manual handling and transfers only in accordance with assessed procedures, available equipment and current training; do not perform unsafe transfers.
• Follow infection prevention and control, food safety, personal protective equipment and hygiene procedures.
• Complete accurate, objective and timely progress notes, daily records, medication records where applicable, handover notes and other required documentation.
• Promptly report incidents, injuries, near misses, hazards, allegations, suspected abuse or neglect, and other safeguarding concerns using the required reporting pathway.
• Respect participant privacy, confidentiality, dignity, cultural identity, communication preferences, rights and professional boundaries.
• Use approved communication and recordkeeping systems and share participant information only with authorised people for legitimate work purposes.
• Work cooperatively with participants, families, nominees, colleagues, coordinators and health professionals within the limits of consent and role authority.
• Attend mandatory training, supervision, team meetings, handovers and performance reviews, and maintain required checks and competencies.
• Follow roster, attendance, fatigue management, work health and safety and emergency procedures, and promptly notify the supervisor of absences or risks affecting safe support.
• Perform other reasonable duties consistent with the position, competence and applicable employment requirements.

Selection criteria:

• Qualification: Certificate II or III in the relevant field.
• Work experience: At least two years of full-time experience in the relevant field.
• A participant-centred approach that promotes dignity, choice, control, independence and inclusion.
• Effective verbal and written communication and the ability to document support objectively.
• Reliability, empathy, patience, sound judgement and the ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to follow detailed support plans, safety instructions, reporting procedures and workplace policies.
• Ability to recognise changes in participant wellbeing and elevate concerns promptly.
• Ability to work independently when rostered while seeking guidance when a task is outside the worker’s competence or authority.
• Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) or a relevant qualification and/or equivalent experience is desirable or may be required depending on the role and applicable requirements.
• Willingness and ability to complete mandatory induction, training and competency assessments before undertaking relevant duties.

Mandatory checks and role requirements:

Before commencing duties, the worker must hold and maintain the checks, clearances, licences and training required for the actual duties, work location and applicable law. These may include an NDIS Worker Screening Check, Working with Children Check where relevant, identity and work-rights checks, first aid/CPR, safe manual handling, medication training where applicable, and a driver’s licence and appropriate vehicle insurance where driving is required. Kerima Care must confirm which requirements apply to this position and the worker.

Role boundaries and safeguarding:

The worker must not diagnose conditions, change treatment instructions, perform clinical tasks, use restrictive practices, or undertake high-intensity support tasks unless the task is lawful, within the worker’s role, properly authorised, covered by relevant plans and procedures, and the worker has completed required training and competency assessment. Any immediate danger or urgent medical concern must be managed under emergency procedures and escalated without delay.

Performance expectations:

• Support is delivered safely, respectfully, reliably and in line with the participant’s current plan.
• Participant rights, privacy, choice, dignity and independence are always promoted.
• Records are accurate, factual, complete and submitted within required timeframes.
• Incidents, risks, changes in wellbeing and safeguarding concerns are reported promptly.
• Required training, checks, supervision and competencies remain current.
• The worker communicates effectively during handovers and follows agreed team procedures.