Department of Health & Human Services

Position description

Disability Support WorkerAs a Disability Support Worker, you will help people with a disability achieve their personal goals and aspirations. Assisting client’s to actively participate within their local communities, you will directly support the wellbeing of your clients through understanding their needs, preferences and interests. Providing a range of support services including personal care, health, exercise and community experiences, you will enable your clients to live a quality life with dignity, respect and social inclusion.

As an effective communicator with well-developed listening skills, you will be an organised person who likes to work within a team environment. Showing concern for others and a genuine interest in helping people to achieve their potential, you are an honest person striving to make a difference in the community.

Are you? Committed to delivering high quality outcomes for clients Passionate about making a difference Well organised and a good communicator Honest and trustworthy.

Title Disability Support Worker

Classification DDSO1 / DDSO1Q

Position reports to House Supervisor / Operation Manager Area Manager

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Organisational environmentThe department develops and delivers policies, programs and services that support and enhance the wellbeing of all Victorians. We take a broad view of the causes of ill health, the drivers of good health, the social and economic context in which people live, and of the incidence and experience of vulnerability.

Our vision is to support and enhance the wellbeing of all Victorians. We aspire to be an organisation where everyone is committed to achieving our vision and demonstrates our values in all that they do.

We are respectful We have integrity We collaborate We care for people, families and communities We are accountable We are innovative

DivisionService Design and OperationsService Design and Operations is responsible for the design and delivery of services and improved client outcomes across the department’s divisions, regions and areas. It oversees the translation of policy into operational service delivery.

The four divisions across the state provide strategic oversight and coordination for the areas and regions within them. The divisions provide corporate and administrative services and oversee service implementation, quality and performance and also play a critical role in emergency management and in dealing with the department’s regulatory obligations where community safety is at risk.

The Northern Division, led by the Deputy Secretary, and reporting into Service Design and Operations is responsible for service delivery, performance and quality improvements across the geographic area of Victoria. The Division develops and fosters strategic partnerships with the communities it serves and with external service providers, local businesses and other government agencies to ensure that local issues are understood, prioritised and addressed.

The key business functions of the Division include area based service delivery, divisional corporate services and client outcomes and service improvement.

AreaAreas are responsible for providing integrated departmental services to achieve positive client outcomes at a local level. They drive a holistic approach to meeting client need, an approach that is strongly supported by a client-centric culture. Areas develop and foster strategic partnerships with the communities they serve and with external service providers, local businesses and other government agencies to ensure that local issues are understood, prioritised and addressed

Role of unit Within each area, Residential Client Services Units provide a range of services and support to meet the needs of clients in a residential setting in a holistic, integrated manner.

Two teams are responsible for services delivered out of the Residential Client Services Unit: Tenancy and Property Team and Disability Accommodation Services Team.

The Disability Accommodation Services Team:

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provides high quality community-based shared accommodation and support for people with a disability using contemporary principles of person-centred planning

helps people with a disability achieve their personal goals and aspirations. supports clients’ active participation within local communities fosters strong relationships with other elements of the disability support system.

Purpose and accountability

PurposeDisability Support Workers operating a DDSO1/DDSO1Q level, directly provide support for people with disabilities, across their lifecycle and in all domains of life to enable access to a quality life with dignity, respect and social inclusion in the least restrictive environment.

Support workers at this level work in group homes, respite or a residential facility, providing a range of support to residents that may include: personal care, health, exercise and diet, daily household activities and community experiences

AccountabilitiesOperating at DDSO1 level, you will: 1. Directly support client 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.

2. Understand client needs, preferences and interests and respond to clients and their families and others in their lives.

3. Under general direction, implement a range of client support plans.

4. Provide information, feedback and reports, including recording charts and completing routine tasks utilising departmental systems including computer software applications.

5. Provide information to colleagues on routine matters relating to client needs and general house matters.

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

7. 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 department's occupational health and safety (OHS) policies and procedures.

8. Demonstrate how the actions and outcomes of this role and work unit impact clients and the department’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:1. Contribute to the day-to-day running of the group home and help maintain service accounts.

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

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

4. Develop, implement, monitor and review a range of client support plans, with oversight from senior staff, using knowledge of client need, preferences and interests.

5. Develop planned activities in line with departmental policies and guidelines.

6. Advocate on behalf of clients for increased access to, and inclusion in, community and recreational services.

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

8. Contribute to developing programs for clients and to longer-term house development plans in consultation with more senior staff.

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

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

Selection criteria

Knowledge and skills1. Stakeholder management: responds to clients’ needs; keeps the client 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.

1. 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.

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

3. 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 qualities9. Customer/client focus: listens to customers; actively seeks to meet customer needs; seeks ways to improve

services; committed to delivering high quality outcomes for clients.

10. Integrity: committed to the public interest; operates in a manner that is consistent with the organisations code of conduct; inspires trust by treating all individuals fairly.

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

12. 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.

Safety Screening All applicants are subject to a National Police History 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. Applicants should contact the relevant overseas police force to obtain this and submit as part of their application. Details of overseas police agencies are available on the Department of Immigration website www.immi.gov.au and can be searched for under the phrase, ‘penal clearance certificate.’

Safety screening will include checking whether your name is on the Disability Worker Exclusion List (DWEL) maintained by the Disability Worker Exclusion Scheme Unit (DWESU). The DWEL includes names of persons unsuitable for employment as a disability support worker in a disability residential service provided, funded or registered by the Department of Human Services.

Qualifications A Level 2 First Aid Certificate is required. A current Employee Working with Children Check (WWCC) card is required and will need to be provided prior to

commencement of employment by the applicant. Currency will need to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.

A full driver’s licence is required as some positions and shifts may be required to drive clients to appointments and other locations.

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

DDSO1 Unqualified staff will be enabled access to on the job learning as a part of the traineeship scheme.

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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 departmental guidelines as being equivalent is required and a copy must be provided with your application.

Specialist expertiseDDSO1 An ability to apply contemporary approaches to supporting people with a disability consistent with the overall

service program would be expected. Ability to use departmental systems such information technology systems, would be advantageous.

DDSO1Q 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.