Disability Support Worker

Job details

Mental Health & Behaviours of Concern – Disability Support Worker

Location: Lake Haven, NSW Employment Type: Permanent Part-Time (PPT) Salary: SCHADS Award – dependent on skills, qualifications, and experience

About the Role

We are seeking experienced and compassionate Disability Support Workers to join our team in Lake Haven, supporting individuals with complex mental health needs, psychosocial disabilities, and behaviours of concern.

This is a hands-on and rewarding role suited to someone who is calm under pressure, emotionally resilient, confident supporting behaviours of concern and passionate about mental health and person-centred care.

You will be supporting an individual living in a SIL environment, with a strong focus on maintaining safety, emotional wellbeing, independence, and quality of life.

The successful applicants will need to be flexible and available to work across a 24/7 roster, including mornings, afternoons, weekends, public holidays, and sleepover shifts.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, person-centred support in accordance with individual support plans, care plans and Behaviour Support Plans.
• Support individuals experiencing mental health challenges, psychosocial disability and behaviours of concern.
• Apply Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and trauma-informed approaches in day-to-day support.
• Recognise early signs of escalation and respond appropriately using proactive strategies and de-escalation techniques.
• Maintain a calm, professional and supportive approach during periods of heightened behaviour or emotional distress.
• Assist with daily living activities including personal care, meal preparation, household tasks, medication support and community access.
• Support individuals to develop and maintain independence, routines, social connections and community participation.
• Safely provide transport and support access to community activities and appointments.
• Accurately document behaviours, incidents, triggers, antecedents, strategies implemented and outcomes.
• Complete progress notes, incident reports and other required documentation accurately and within required timeframes.
• Contribute to behaviour monitoring and data collection as required.
• Work collaboratively with families, support coordinators, allied health professionals, behaviour practitioners and internal management.
• Follow all organisational policies, procedures, WHS requirements and individual support plans.
• Promote dignity, choice, respect, independence and emotional wellbeing at all times.

About You

We are looking for someone who is reliable, emotionally mature, patient and confident working with complex support needs.

You will be someone who can build genuine professional relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries and understands that behaviours of concern are a form of communication.

You must be able to remain calm and make appropriate decisions during challenging situations and be willing to follow established behaviour support strategies consistently.

Essential Criteria

• Minimum 3 years' experience working as a Disability Support Worker, preferably including at least 12 months' experience supporting people with behaviours of concern.
• Demonstrated experience supporting people with mental health, psychosocial disability and/or complex behaviours.
• Strong understanding of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and trauma-informed practice.
• Experience using appropriate de-escalation and behaviour support strategies.
• Ability to remain calm, professional and responsive in high-pressure situations.
• Strong understanding of professional boundaries and person-centred practice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to complete detailed and accurate progress notes, incident reports and behavioural documentation.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Current NDIS Worker Screening Check or willingness to obtain.
• Current First Aid & CPR.
• Current Working With Children Check (WWCC).
• Valid Australian driver's licence.
• Ability to work across a 24/7 SIL roster, including sleepovers, weekends and public holidays.

Desirable – But Not Essential

• Certificate III or IV in Disability, Individual Support, Mental Health, Community Services or equivalent.
• TCI, MAB, MAPA or similar behaviour/de-escalation training.
• Experience supporting people with:
• Psychosocial disability
• Mental health conditions
• Autism
• Intellectual disability
• Complex behaviours
• Trauma backgrounds
• High-risk or high-support needs
• Experience working within a SIL environment.
• Experience working alongside Behaviour Support Practitioners and implementing Behaviour Support Plans.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay under the SCHADS Award, including applicable penalty rates.
• Permanent part-time employment with opportunities for additional shifts.
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Support from an experienced and supportive leadership team.
• Opportunities for career progression.
• A positive team environment.
• Meaningful work where you can make a genuine difference in someone's life every day.

Join Our Team

If you are an experienced Disability Support Worker who is passionate about mental health, positive behaviour support and helping people with complex needs achieve greater independence, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now and become part of a team committed to providing safe, respectful, and person-centred support.