Disability Support Worker

Working at Melba Support Services (Melba)

• We support people with disability to live the life they want.
• We have a Zero Tolerance approach to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Every member of the Melba community is committed to The Melba Way Charter, our vision, purpose and values.
• Melba aims to create welcoming and respectful workplaces that promote inclusive and collaborative working relationships.
• For over 50 years Melba Support Services has been providing services to people with disability that focus on supporting people to dream big, embrace life and do what they choose and value. Melba is firmly grounded in upholding human rights and recognises that part of living a happy, healthy life is being independent and being able to do the things that bring us joy. Melba won the 2023 National Disability Award for Excellence in Service Quality.

Why Join Us?

We are a human-rights, values-based, not-for-profit community organisation committed to providing services that support individuals with disability to lead everyday lives of their choice, if this resonates with you, come join us

What you'll be doing (Key accountabilities)

• Engage with the person supported to understand their unique needs and preferences, supporting them in a safe way that is directed by them and that upholds their human rights.
• Continually communicate with the individual in a way that is meaningful to them, including supporting a person's use of alternative and augmentative communication systems when required.
• Implement support plans tailored to individuals' needs, preferences, and interests, and report issues/concerns when they become apparent.
• Utilise Person Centred Active Support to enable each person to successfully participate in everyday activities that are meaningful to them and of their choosing, including assisting individuals with various daily living activities, such as morning routines and evening preparations, personal care/hygiene maintenance, and household tasks such as shopping, cleaning, cooking, and laundry.
• Implement Person Centred Active Support to assist individuals to develop and maintain social relationships by supporting attendance and participation in social events, recreational interests, work and/or education endeavours, and appointments of their choice.
• Respect and advocate for personal choice and autonomy.
• Administer medication and provide health supports (within scope of practice and training), as needed.
• Where required and in agreement with each person, proactively and collaboratively engage and liaise with each person's natural support network and other service providers to ensure continuity of supports for the person.
• Actively participate in learning, reflective practice, staff meetings and supervision opportunities, to continually develop your professional knowledge and skills as a disability support practitioner.

Your Background (Skills and attributes)

• Certificate IV in Disability (desirable, not mandatory).
• Demonstrated experience in or a willingness to learn the skills required to provide personal care support to people in all areas of their lives.
• A genuine commitment to the inclusion of people in their local communities.
• Ability to network with a large range of people including members of the community.
• Strong communication skills (language and literacy) with a demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and legible records.
• Ability to take on responsibility and accountability to drive positive change.
• Willingness to collaborate and build positive relationships to achieve common goals.
• Can bounce back from setbacks to navigate challenges.​
• Bring a flexible, positive, and self-motivated mindset to your interactions every day.
• Commitment to, and preferably experience in, working effectively with people who have complex communication and support needs.

Requirements

• A current First Aid and CPR Certificate
• A current NDIS Worker Screening and Working with Children Check (we can support you through the process of obtaining one or both checks if you don't already have them).
• The ability and relevant driver's license to perform travel and work a variety of shifts, including weekends. Position may also require working active nights.
• Compliance with OHS&W regulations, legislation, and Policies and Procedures is required. Successful completion of pre-employment safety screening checks, mandatory training, and their subsequent renewals is necessary.

Occupation Health Safety and Wellbeing (OHS&W)

• Take reasonable care for their health, safety, and wellbeing and that of others.
• Observe safe systems of work.
• Report hazards, near misses and incidents in accordance with the agreed incident reporting system.
• Contribute to a positive culture in relation to OHS&W and participate in consultative structures.
• Follow OHS&W policies and procedures.

Inclusion at Melba

Melba Support Services recognises the contribution that a diverse workforce makes to continuous improvement and service delivery and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Melba Support Services values diversity and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders. People with disabilities and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are also encouraged to apply. Melba Support Services is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and day-to-day work. As a provider of supports and services to children, Melba is committed to ensuring that every child feels safe and respected. All Melba staff and volunteers have a responsibility to make sure that children's wellbeing and safety comes first, that they are supported to achieve their potential, respected, and protected from abuse and neglect.