Support Worker

We are building nothing less than the best team of support workers in Adelaide's south, and some of them are horses

The continuing expansion of Heartfelt Support will give exceptional people the chance to be a vital part of a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to equity and capability building for our clients. In particular, right now, we are looking for the right people to work with our teenage and adult clients at our new equine facility at Kangarilla

We'll pay well, of course, but what we really hope to inspire you with is:

• We'll listen to you when you tell us about the clients you are assisting
• We'll treat you with respect
• We'll offer you a chance to extend your own capabilities
• You won't be second fiddle to therapists or other members of the team, you'll be recognised for the importance of what you do

So, what's the job? For people who love horses, we have the chance - and we think the duty - to help them to find the best hour of their week. This job is to make that happen . Sometimes you will work alongside a therapist, where your role will be more concentrating on safety of participant, horse and staff, and sometimes you'll be showing a client grooming and leading techniques while chatting away about really important, or really unimportant topics - it's a bout being present for the participant. And always obey our Support Worker mantra, which is "Don't be boring". You may be with someone for only a few hours per week, but that may be a very important few hours to them.

So what about you?

Quick check - are you a horse person AND a people person? You will have to be.

Well, you might have a relevant qualification. Terrific You also might not. Not everyone learns this stuff in a classroom. We love to see First Aid certificates, but it's not mandatory and we can even help you get one. You'll have to pass a bunch of worker/police checks.

More than the above, you'll have a great enthusiasm for helping others. You'll be cool in a crisis. You'll be almost obsessed with being reliable and punctual. You'll be the sort of person that can pull apart any mistakes you make and ensure they don't happen twice. You'll be able to communicate with anyone. You'll be a roll-up-your-sleeves, no-time-like-the-present doer, not a bystander.

For our younger clients, we need younger or young at heart people. People who can talk to them about what they like to do, whether it's video games or D&D, footy or netball, TV or the news. They have school issues and all the usual growing-up drama.

What's different about Heartfelt Support? For starters, every staff member is in direct touch with our Directors. You'll have the mobile number and direct access to someone who will mentor, advise and guide you and to whom you can raise any urgent issues. You'll never feel like an unimportant cog in the machinery of red tape. We'll also take into account your requirements for flexibility and we will understand that your own life and responsibilities are important.

Our team has grown over the last few years and new clients come on board every week. We do have an urgent need, but don't feel you have to apply in the next ten minutes Take your time. We'd really enjoy a short cover letter telling us about YOU - what makes you tick, and how horsey you are. We're not just interested in what you've done but in why, how, and what you'd like to do in the future.

We're looking for someone to start with 4-6 hours spread over Monday and Tuesday afternoons, and then perhaps add other days. Many of our horse team also work for us as support workers or therapists, so if you feel that's something you want and can do, just make us aware.

We are also totally committed to diversity and encourage anyone who has a disability, is a first nations person, or is of any or no particular gender or sexuality to apply. Tell us about it, or don't. It's your choice.

So, if being helpful and needed floats your boat, then here's what we suggest:

• Apply

Job Type: Casual

Pay: $38.00 – $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 4 – 10 per week

Benefits:

• Employee mentoring program
• Professional development assistance

Application Question(s):

• Tell us about your horse experience

Licence/Certification:

• Working with Children Check (Preferred)
• National Police Certificate (Preferred)
• Driver Licence (Required)

Work Authorisation:

• Australia (Required)

Work Location: In person