Support Worker Disability And/or Ageing

The NDIS Workforce Capability Framework and the Aged Care Quality Standards Workforce Capability Framework describes this role as a General Support Worker for services funded under the NDIS and/or Aged Care Programs. Individuals working within this role are responsible for using the strategies outlined in the care recipient’s support or care plan.

Workers are required to follow all policies and procedures and report to management:

- feedback from care recipients (positive, constructive and complaints)
- changes in care recipient circumstances or environment
- work health and safety issues and concerns
- need for resources to undertake the role
- if you think that the care recipient is experiencing discrimination, exploitation, neglect, abuse or violence
- when unsure of appropriate practices
- when unsure of actions that should be undertaken
- stressed or anxious feelings

**Main Duties / Responsibilities**:
**Provision of care and supports to care recipients and/or clients as detailed in their support/care plans.**

**General**
- Always check your understanding of the care recipient's required tasks before commencing your work.
- Implement personal hygiene and infection control procedures
- Be alert if you notice the care recipient is distressed or apathetic (uninterested or listless)
- Adjust your tasks to meet care recipient's needs, preferences and priorities
- Record all work as per Santa Clara Home Care requirements

**Work Practices**

Duties will vary according to the care recipient's support plan but may include:

- Assisting people to perform important daily activities
- Facilitating daily personal hygiene and dressing tasks
- Performing home-based tasks such as food preparation and housework
- Undertaking tasks outside the home such as shopping
- Ensuring varied programs of social activities
- Providing emotional support and friendship
- incorporate Child Safe Standards in their practice when working with children and young people
- Report any real or potential risks of harm to a care recipient, including child and young people

**Communicate**:

- clearly, inclusively and respectfully
- adapt to care recipient's age, culture and cognitive ability
- understand individual communication - verbal and non-verbal
- use the best communication method to recognise the difference between self and care recipient
- be persistent and patient

Build trusted relationships
- build relationships based on mutual respect
- determine what makes the care recipient feel safe and valued
- work with both care recipient and their important people to understand how they are involved
- communicate directly with the care recipient unless otherwise determined
- prioritise care recipient's voice during any conflict
- treat equally but recognise the imbalance in the relationship
- recognise and report any threat in circumstances and environment

**Rights**
- understand care recipient and worker rights
- support care recipient to express views, raise concerns, report complaints and incidents

**Work Collaboratively**
- support all supporting stakeholders
- work within role and responsibility
- recognise the care recipient's skills, experience and contribution to everyone in the team
- keep care recipients informed when sharing and discussing them
- focus on strengths
- be optimistic, hope and patience

**Observe and respond**
- review all relevant notes and support plan information
- identify needs and strategies
- clarify your understanding
- be observant, attentive and present
- act responsively and flexibly
- celebrate reaching goals and independence
- maximise care recipient's control and confidence

**Heath and Safety**
- talk to care recipient/supervisor about any intermittent conditions to determine strategies when confronted with the situation
- support access to preventative and responsive health, dental etc
- respond quickly if the care recipient is uncomfortable, distressed, apathetic or in poor health
- identify potential and actual risks, then act promptly and in consultation with the care recipient
- escalate to your supervisor any situation when the care recipient is at risk
- identify and report any work health and safety issues
- promote independence and choice
- never use restrictive practice unless approved and trained in the practice

**EXPERIENCE**:

- Preferred minimum six months relevant experience
- Experience supporting people with disability
- Demonstrated continuing professional development.
- Knowledge of continuous quality improvement principles
- Use of equipment related to personal and work safety
- Promoted care recipient's choice and independence
- Supported care recipients in hygiene practices

**SKILLS**:

- Verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work with various ages, cultures and ability levels
- Ability to build rapport and trust with clients.
- Strong time management and ability to prioritise.
- Ability to use smartphone, i.e. vWorker App
- Excellent problem solving an