Disability Support Worker

• 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. 

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

Position Responsibilities & Duties

• Commitment to Melba's vision, missions, values, human rights framework, and Zero Tolerance 

• Compliance with Melba's Code of Conduct, privacy, workplace health and safety policies and procedures  

• A commitment to creating and fostering a workplace free from bullying, harassment, or any form of unreasonable behaviour towards a person, group of people or Melba.  

• Conduct all duties and responsibilities in accordance with Melba's policies and procedures  

• Ensuring that all duties, responsibilities, and behaviours support and comply with equal opportunity, cultural diversity and human rights values and expectations.  

• Your interactions with co-workers and people supported are culturally appropriate and sensitive to each individual's needs  

• Provide opportunities that support people to live a life of their choosing irrespective of their background and differences 

Role Specific 

Operating at DDSO1 level, you will:  

• Directly support people's wellbeing, including support with daily household activities, preparation and assistance with meals, personal care, and social, recreational and community experiences that enhance quality of life, based on support plan goals. 

• Understand people supported needs, preferences and interests and respond to them, their families and others in their lives.  

• Under general direction, implement a range of people support plans.  

• Provide information, feedback and reports, including recording charts and completing routine tasks utilising Melba's systems including computer software applications. 

• Provide information to colleagues on routine matters relating to supported people's needs and general house matters. 

• Keep accurate and complete records of your work activities in accordance with legislative requirements and the Melba's records, information security and privacy policies and requirements.  

• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for that of others in the workplace by working in accordance with legislative requirements and the Melba's occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures.  

• Demonstrate how the actions and outcomes of this role and work unit impact clients and the Melba's ability to deliver, or facilitate the delivery of, effective support and services.  

Operating at DDSO1Q level, you will perform all the above together with increasing involvement to: 

• Contribute to the day-to-day running of the group home and help maintain service accounts.  

• Utilise well-developed communication skills to identify supported person needs, liaise with other service providers, stakeholders and significant others. 

• Administer medication treatments and therapies according to prescribed protocols or otherwise, seek appropriate medical assistance 

• Develop, implement, monitor and review a range of supported persons support plans, with oversight from senior staff, using knowledge of their needs, preferences and interests.  

• Develop planned activities in line with Melba policies and guidelines.  

• Advocate on behalf of supported people for increased access to, and inclusion in, community and recreational services. 

• Work towards establishing links with community resources, facilitating inclusions of clients into the community. 

• Contribute to developing programs for supported people and to longer-term house development plans in consultation with more senior staff. 

• Share observations relating to work process improvements with supervisor or more senior staff. 

• Liaise with family members, medical services, departmental services and external community services to help meet client needs.  

Key Selection Criteria & Skills/Attributes

• All new applicants are subject to a NDIS Worker Screening Check. 

• All staff are required to possess a current and valid Victorian Working with Children Check. Currency will need to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.

• All existing staff are required to obtain an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance prior to the expiry of their Working with Children Check. 

• Applicants who have lived overseas for 12 months or longer during the past 10 years are required to provide the results of an international police check.

Knowledge and Skills

• Stakeholder management: responds to supported people's needs; keeps the supported person or  stakeholder up-to-date with issues and developments; promptly follows through on inquiries, requests and complaints; takes responsibility for correcting problems promptly and without becoming defensive.

• Verbal communication: clearly explains information and listens to feedback; speaks clearly and concisely and keeps people interested when speaking; uses a polite and considerate manner when dealing with others.

• Interpersonal skills: polite and considerate in dealing with others; aware of people's moods and temperament.

• Self-management: accepts responsibilities for own actions; focuses on the most important goals; has a realistic and balanced view of own strengths and weaknesses; recognises own feelings and personal prejudices and understands why they occur. 

Personal Attributes

• Supported person focus: listens to people supported; actively seeks to meet supported person needs; seeks ways to improve services; committed to delivering high quality outcomes for supported people.

• Integrity: committed to the public interest; operates in a manner that is consistent with the Melba's Code of Conduct; inspires trust by treating all individuals fairly.

• Initiative and accountability: proactive and self-starting; seizes opportunities and acts upon them; takes responsibility for own actions.

• Teamwork: cooperates and works well with others in pursuit of team goals, collaborates and shares information, shows consideration, concern and respect for others feelings and ideas, accommodates and works well with the different working styles of others, encourages resolution of conflict within the group. 

Specialist expertise
DDSO1
1. An ability to apply contemporary approaches to supporting people with a disability consistent with the overall service program would be expected. 
2. Ability to use Melba systems such information technology systems, would be advantageous. 

DDSO1Q
3. Ability to participate in support planning and other support strategies, including working to establish links with community resources and promoting, facilitating or advocating increased access to inclusion in the community

Qualifications

• A Level 2 First Aid Certificate with CPR is required.

• A full driver's licence is required as some positions and shifts may be required to drive people supported to appointments and other locations.

• All new starters are required to complete a mandatory Melba induction program prior to commencement of duties. This relates to both DDSO1 and DDSO1Q roles.

DDSO1

• Unqualified staff will be enabled access to on-the-job learning.

• Automatic progression from level 1 to 1Q will occur on the attainment of Certificate IV in Disability Work.

DDSO1Q

• A Certificate IV in Disability Work or the Advanced Certificate in Residential and Community Services or other tertiary qualifications recognised within guidelines as being equivalent is required and a copy must be provided with your application.

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 

• Follow OHS&W policies and procedures 

• 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 

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.