Disability Support Team Leader

**About Lifest HealthCare**:Lifest HealthCare (LHC) is a registered NDIS provider, working closely with participants, families and other stakeholders to offer unique, personalised health and support care to people with disabilities. We provide compassionate care delivered with integrity and respect to ensure our participants receive the best possible care and support to improve their quality of life.

**Purpose of the role**: The position of Team Leader is integral to the service delivery provided by LHC. The position is responsible for the delivery of support services aimed at maximising the living, social and recreational skills of people with disabilities. The purpose of the role is to facilitate community inclusion, independence, decision making and personal choices while focusing on participants needs and goals.

The role of Team Leader is also responsible for managing a team of dedicated Disability Support Workers who provide direct support and care to LHC's valued participants.

**Key duties and responsibilities**:

- Participants_
- Create, document and maintain the individual care plans for each participant by gathering key information from Allied Health and other medical professionals
- Regularly gather information needed to update care plans and ensure staff are aware of any changes
- Provide direct care assistance to each participant in accordance with their care plans and as directed by Operations Manager
- Work in accordance with relevant LHC & NDIS policies, procedures, and guidelines that correlate with the participants service delivery and care plans
- Ensure that all care is provided in a caring, neutral and supportive manner
- Support and encourage participates to partake in appropriate activities including home support, community access and outings that align with their goals
- Liaise with relevant stakeholder to ensure participant care is delivered seamlessly
- Complete all appropriate documentation including shift notes, incident reports and monthly progress reports etc
- Participate in service planning process for individual participants and monitor outcomes
- Work with participants, family/ carers, relevant case managers and other professionals to support the participant's individual goals
- In conjunction with other members of staff assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating behaviour programs to attain identified individual goals
- Identify the risks associated with participants not engaging with services and take a solutions focused approach when addressing concerns with the Operations Manager
- Report to Senior Management immediately on any issues that may affect LHC's ability to provide continuity of care to participant or LHC's ability to retain participants as clients
- Leadership & accountability_
- Foster a culture in your team of accountability, particularly in relation to the completion of shift notes and other critical documentation
- Read all shift notes completed by staff and action any issues that have arisen, in particularly in relation to the participants medical needs or general wellness
- Mentor and coach your team on best practices and other areas where they may require support or escalate to the Operations Manager if support is required
- Ensure team are clocking in and out before approving shifts for the accuracy of payroll
- Read all shift notes and communicate any relevant observations to team members to ensure continuity of care
- Demonstrate critical thinking in relation to problem solving and adopting a solution focused mindset wherever possible
- Think critically about rostering and have contingency plans in place when staff are unavailable or accumulating too many overtime hours
- Ensure that all supports & services undertaken are appropriately documented and reviewed
- Report regularly to Operations Manager in relation to participant & staff wellbeing
- Work closely with the Operations Manager to manage and reduce staff overtime
- Keep up to date with LHC's policies and procedures regarding participant care and ensuring team members are informed
- Liaise with team members to ensure the overall smooth and consistent running of the service
- Actively contribute to a team environment through open communication, participation in regular Team Member meetings, training and process improvements
- Complete any necessary reports within 24 hours and submit to management i.e. reportable incidents, ABC reports, car hazard report and medications training as well as monthly progress reports on each participant
- Provide back up and support to other staff, as necessary
- Attend any internal or external meetings as required
- Other tasks as requested by Senior Management
- Staff management_
- Organise meet and greets with new staff and organise buddy shifts (complete buddy and vehicle inspection checklist and send to TAO)
- Actively train new staff on what is expected in the role of a DSW and how to succeed
- Manage and lead the day-to-day operations o