Disability Support Worker

DISABILITY SUPPORT WORKER – Cleveland

Adapt and Thrive Disability Solutions is seeking a compassionate, reliable and experienced Disability Support Worker to provide one-to-one assistance to an adult female NDIS participant in the Thornlands area.

ABOUT THE PARTICIPANT

The participant is a creative woman who enjoys art, design, music, singing, dancing, meditation and exploring her community.

She experiences a psychosocial disability that can affect her motivation, emotional regulation, communication, organisation and ability to initiate everyday tasks. Her capacity can fluctuate, particularly when she feels anxious, overwhelmed or fatigued.

We are looking for someone who can build a genuine and trusting professional relationship while providing calm, structured and consistent support.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The successful applicant will support the participant to establish sustainable routines, strengthen her independence and participate more confidently at home and in the community.

Responsibilities may include:

• Providing respectful prompting and encouragement with personal hygiene, grooming and changing clothes
• Supporting regular meals, meal planning, grocery shopping and healthier food choices
• Assisting with cooking, cleaning, laundry and household organisation
• Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps to reduce overwhelm
• Supporting the participant to develop structured daily routines
• Assisting with appointments, planning, time management and completing important tasks
• Providing transport and support to access the community
• Encouraging participation in creative, social and physical activities
• Supporting communication and helping the participant remain focused during conversations
• Providing reassurance and guidance when the participant feels anxious or overwhelmed
• Supporting safe decision-making and appropriate personal boundaries
• Recognising changes in presentation and responding according to established support and safety plans
• Completing clear, factual and timely progress notes
• Collaborating professionally with the participant’s support team

ABOUT YOU

This role would be best suited to someone who is calm, patient, emotionally mature and genuinely experienced in supporting people with complex psychosocial disabilities.

The ideal applicant will:

• Have experience supporting participants with schizophrenia or complex mental-health needs
• Understand trauma-informed, recovery-oriented and person-centred support
• Be skilled in supporting executive-functioning difficulties, low motivation and task initiation
• Communicate clearly and avoid overwhelming the participant with too much information
• Know how to provide encouragement without becoming forceful or controlling
• Be comfortable supporting someone experiencing anxiety, emotional dysregulation, dissociation or disorganised thinking
• Maintain strong professional boundaries and confidentiality
• Be observant and able to identify changes in mental health or functional capacity
• Be reliable and understand the importance of consistency and continuity of care
• Encourage independence by working alongside the participant rather than completing every task for her
• Share or respectfully engage with interests such as art, music, creativity and mindfulness
• Work collaboratively with family members, support workers and allied-health professionals

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must hold or be willing to provide:

• Current NDIS Worker Screening Clearance
• Current First Aid and CPR certificates
• NDIS Worker Orientation Module certificate
• Current Australian driver licence
• Reliable, registered and comprehensively insured vehicle
• Appropriate qualifications or demonstrated experience in disability, mental health or community services
• Valid ABN and relevant insurance if engaged as an independent contractor
• Full Australian working rights

A Certificate III or IV in Individual Support, Mental Health, Disability or Community Services is highly regarded.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Meaningful one-to-one support work
• A participant-focused and supportive working environment
• Clear support expectations and established documentation
• Ongoing communication with the Adapt and Thrive team
• The opportunity to help a participant develop greater independence, stability and community connection

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your résumé and a brief cover letter explaining:

• Your experience supporting people with psychosocial disabilities or complex mental-health needs
• How you build trust with a participant who experiences anxiety or becomes overwhelmed
• Your approach to encouraging daily activities without taking away the participant’s choice and control
• Your availability and preferred working hours
• Confirmation that you meet the essential compliance requirements

Only applicants whose skills, experience and availability align with the participant’s needs will be contacted.

Pay: $40.00 – $45.00 per hour

Work Location: In person