Disability Support Worker (DSW)

Casual

Greater Melbourne, Northern, Eastern, Southern, Western

PRIDE DISABILITY SERVICES CULTURAL VALUES

Pride Disability Services in an innovative service which has been developed for people with both intellectual and physical disabilities with a focus toward sexual orientation and gender identity to further empower individuals to achieve and maintain a satisfying and valued role in their community.

In line with the Victorian Disability State Plan 2022 -2026, and Human Rights, Pride Disability Services focuses on an identified gap in the service delivery of supports that need to be provided and delivered to the Gender and Sexually Diverse community who identify as having a disability.

Pride Disability Services aims to deliver more flexible, innovative, and specialized support services tailored to each individual’s needs, connecting them back to communities acknowledging an individual’s rights and freedoms to be whomever they wish to be.

DUTIES RESPONSIBILITIES

A DSW assists individuals engaged in outreach services by supporting them to access the supports and services they need by;

Working alongside the client
Continual assessment of the client
Supporting clients in making decisions
Increasing client’s awareness of the LGBTIQ community
Maximizing the client’s potential through encouraging and trying new activities
Building positive networks and supports
Supporting to access or engage within day or work placement
Working in collaboration with the client to develop pathway plans
Implementing identified areas of concern / risk or interest through planned positive approaches

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

To liaise with team leaders, therapists, DHHS, NDIS and family/carers to develop programs that build upon existing skills and expectations of the clients.

To work closely with other staff and team leaders to develop appropriate strategies and interventions for clients with communication difficulties and/or behaviors of concern.

To implement and evaluate programs developed with clients, including completion of required documentation.

To develop pathways, Planned Positive Approaches and Person-Centered Plans for clients.

To develop and follow the weekly program timetable and ensure that activities commence and finish on time.

To ensure that the privacy, personal choices, and requests of clients are respected at all times.

To be responsible for the supervision of clients within each program.

To meet the individual and personal needs of clients as necessary, identified in client NDIS plan.

To maintain a safe work environment and adhere to all Pride Disability Services policy and procedures.

To ensure the administration of medication and the recording procedure is correctly followed.

To maintain a high standard of conduct and work performance to ensure the business maintains its good reputation with customers, support coordinators / planners and the NDIA.

KEY PERFORMANCE

OBJECTIVES

To lead the development, implementation and evaluation of, Pathways, Planned Positive Approaches and Person-Centered Plans where appropriate.

To evaluate and where appropriate modify programs and methods of service delivery.

In conjunction with team leaders, to participate in the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of current programs and changing needs and interest of participants.

To ensure that people with a disability are supervised and supported to ensure the development of interpersonal and recreational skills to achieve their goals.

To build and maintain a high level of service delivery thus promoting growth and development.

To ensure activities and administration are carried out in a manner as required under the disability service standard quality assurance, and OH&S.

IN PRACTICE

Client focus: Listen to clients, actively striving to meet customer needs, seeking ways to improve services and being committed to delivering high quality outcomes for clients.

Flexibility: Adaptable and open to new ideas. To be able to accept changed priorities without undue discomfort and to recognize the merits of different options and act accordingly.

Resilience: To persevere, in order to achieve goals, even in the face of obstacles and to cope effectively with setbacks and disappointments and to remain calm and in control under pressure and accept constructive criticism in an objective manner without becoming defensive.

Teamwork: Co-operate and work well with others in the pursuit of team goals and be able to collaborate, readily share information, and show consideration, concern and respect for others’ feelings and ideas. Being able to work well with the different working styles of others and to encourage resolution of conflict within a group.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

ESSENTIAL

Understating of the NDIS funding framework
Demonstrated commitment to LGBTIQ values and philosophy
Capacity to engage in the enhancement of Pride Disability Services culture in meeting organisational objectives
Experience in Outreach / Disability services
Experience with behaviors of concern
Well-developed verbal, computer and written communication skills
Proficient in Word, Excel.
Understanding of social media platforms including Facebook
Excellent time management skills
Demonstrated ability to work independently and innovatively
Consistency in working toward achieving objectives
Ability to work effectively within allocated time restraints
The ability to liaise with a wide range of community and government organisations
Experience in and/or in-depth understanding of working closely with same-sex attracted and gender diverse communities