Disability Support Worker – Café

Disability Support Worker – Café

Type: Casual, 3 days a week

Remuneration:  SCHADS Award Level 2

Location: Rookie's Cafe - Rooks Road, Nunawading

Reports to: Café Support Coordinator

Are you passionate about creating welcoming, practical learning experiences where people with disability can build confidence, independence and real-world hospitality skills?

At cape, we are looking for someone who leads with kindness, works with care, and brings a positive, person-centred approach to every interaction.

This is a rewarding opportunity based at Rookie’s Café, working 3 days per week, with the potential for hours to increase as the program grows.

About cape

cape group is a not-for-profit registered NDIS provider supporting people with disability across Melbourne's eastern and northern suburbs. We were formed in April 2025 through the merger of Nadrasca and Brite, bringing together more than 120 years of combined experience. Nepean Centre joined us in June 2026. Monkami Centre joined in July 2026.

That pace is deliberate. We are building an organisation with the scale, capability and ambition to change what disability services look like: better homes, smarter use of technology, stronger pathways, and supports built around each person rather than around programs. Our measure of success is simple. Everyone we support has their best day, every day.

The role

As a Disability Support Worker – Café, you will provide hands-on, person-centred support in a café and canteen environment, helping participants build practical hospitality skills such as food preparation, customer service and barista tasks. You will guide participants towards their vocational goals through structured training, coaching and encouragement, while creating a safe, respectful and positive learning space. This role is ideal for someone who is warm, patient, reliable and passionate about supporting people to grow their independence and confidence.

The cafe is run by the Support Workers and our Supported Employees.

What you will do

Participant Support

• Individualised Café Support: Provide 1:1, hands-on support to a café program participant, guiding them through daily café operations including food prep, customer service, and barista tasks. Foster confidence and independence in a real-world hospitality environment.
• Vocational Goal Setting: Collaborate with the participant to identify their employment aspirations within the hospitality industry. Develop personalised learning plans that build practical café skills aligned with their goals.
• Program Delivery & Skill Building: Work with internal stakeholders to deliver structured, inclusive training sessions. These will focus on barista techniques, food handling, hygiene, point of sales systems, and customer engagement.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Model professional café behaviours and provide constructive feedback to support skill development. Encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience in a fast-paced environment.
• Community Engagement: Support the participant to engage with customers and the broader community, building communication and social skills essential for hospitality roles.
• Person-Centered Practice: Ensure all support is tailored to the participant’s strengths, interests, and learning style. Empower them to take ownership of their learning and celebrate progress.
• Positive Behaviour Support: Apply Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategies to create a safe, respectful, and encouraging learning space, particularly for participants with behaviours of concern.
• Monitoring & Reporting: Maintain accurate records of progress, achievements, and any incidents. Provide regular updates to the Café Coordinator and contribute to program reviews and improvements.
• Compliance & Safety: Uphold food safety standards, café procedures, and organisational policies. Ensure all activities comply with relevant legislation and cape guidelines.

Operations

• Understand café related procedures including basic coffee brewing, grinding, pouring and food preparation techniques to provide café task support to participants.
• Ensure quality of service meeting all Food Act requirements
• Maintain a safe working environment meeting all requirements under the OH&S Act
• Other duties as required

Who we are looking for

Qualifications and Experience 

• Certificate III or Certificate IV in Individual Support or Disability
• Passion for empowering people with disabilities and supporting their career goals.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities, particularly in vocational training, skills development, and career pathways.
• Café and barista experience to ensure high-quality customer service and coffee preparation.

Skills and Attributes 

• Ability to work effectively with small groups and tailor support to individual needs, front of the house roles are a 1:2 ratio, and the kitchen is a 1:4 ratio.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for building strong relationships with participants, families, and stakeholders.
• Adaptability, strong organizational skills, and flexibility to respond to the unique needs of people with disabilities in a respectful manner.

Employment  Requirements

• Casual position, 3 days per week, with potential to increase hours.
• Availability to work Mondays and Tuesdays is essential.
• Willingness and ability to work across multiple sites, including Nunawading and Mont Albert.
• Current full Victorian Driver’s Licence required.
• Applicants must hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Clearance and obtain a Working with Children Check prior to employment.
• Relevant staff must provide evidence of unrestricted Australian residential and working rights.

Why Join Us?

Our vibrant culture and collaborative team environment truly set us apart. You'll join a warm, inclusive, and enthusiastic team united by a shared passion for enriching the lives of people with disabilities.

Be part of a values-led team where kindness, connection and practical support come together to make a meaningful difference every day.

What we can offer you:

• A great working environment as part of a passionate and dedicated team.
• Attractive salary including salary packaging associated with not-for-profits.
• Training and professional development.
• The opportunity to use your skills to make a real difference in people’s lives.

How to Apply:

We are inclusive in our thinking and are open to candidates who may not meet all criteria, but believe they are the right fit for the position.

If you are interested in becoming an active and valued member of a dedicated and passionate team, please apply today by clicking on the Apply button.

Shortlisting and interviews will commence soon.

We welcome applications from all diverse backgrounds including individuals with disability, those that identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTQIA+, or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

We look forward to hearing from you!