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Have you recently completed a course on disability support or are you thinking about enrolling? Working in the disability services sector is an extremely rewarding job as you make a difference to people’s lives.

There are a number of disability courses that provide you with everything you need to know about creating a supportive and safe environment for people living with a disability.

In this blog we explore the types of support services you can specialise in and what they involve.

TYPES OF DISABILITY SUPPORT WORKER JOBS

EVERYDAY SUPPORT JOBS

Everyday support jobs involve you working with people with a disability to help them with daily living activities. This could be anything from shopping, cleaning the house, cooking, social activities, personal care, administering medication, accompanying them to appointments and more.

When working in everyday disability support services you may work with children, adults, or elderly people, all of whom may have different capabilities and support needs. Your work will be different from day to day and the type of services you provide with be tailored to each individual’s needs.

WORKFORCE SUPPORT JOBS

People with disabilities may require assistance to find work or once they have acquired a job to then complete the tasks outlined in their job description. This is where support workers can come in to assist.

Support workers help participants acquire a job by:

• Researching potential job opportunities
• Contacting and applying for jobs on their behalf
• Coaching participants to succeed in the interview process
• Coordinating skill development and training

Support workers help participants complete the tasks outlined in their job by:

• Being present to coach and train people whilst on the job
• Notify the employer of any changes that can be made to the job to make it achievable.

As a support worker, assisting people with disabilities to find jobs will involve you working with employment agencies who provide jobs for people with disabilities or businesses hiring people with disabilities.

SPECIALIST SUPPORT

There are a number of specialists who may be involved with helping people with disabilities including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, music and art therapists, psychologists, and more.

Specialist workers undertake work in areas such as assessments, planning, interventions, and behavioural care. Generally, specialists will work collectively to provide a holistic approach to the level of care the participants need.

ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT JOBS

Behind a team of support workers is a team of coordinators and case managers who are responsible for coordinating and assisting support workers.

Coordinators can assist in many different areas whether its identifying service options for the participant, setting up a participants NDIS plan, managing their budget, ensuring the participant understands the plan and processes involved.

HOW TO KNOW IF THE DIDABILITY SECTOR IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Whether you are thinking about studying to work in the disability sector or you have just completed your studies, how do you know if it’s going to be right for you? Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you like helping others?
• Do you enjoy working with people in a community setting?
• Do you have good interpersonal and communication skills?
• Are you solution focused with a creative mind?
• Can you work in a team environment?

If your answer was yes to any of the above, then working in the disability sector may be right for you.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you are looking at developing your skills to work with people with disability, there are a number of courses that provide the theory and practical knowledge you need. There are great jobs available for those wanting to care for people within our community.

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To see some of the current disability support work job opportunities in Perth head to the following job search websites:

Seek – Disability Jobs in Perth and WA

Indeed – Disability Support Jobs in Perth and WA

Jora – Disability Support Jobs in Perth and WA

 

FAQ’s

What is the average salary for disability support workers in Australia?

The average wage for disability support worker is $60,450 per year of $31 per hour. Entry level positions start lower and an experienced worker may earn more.

What do I need to have before I can start working in the disability services sector?

Before you start working in the disability sector, it is a requirement to have an NDIS Worker Screen Check and a blue card if working with children, a driver’s licence and first aid training including CPR.

What is the role of a support worker?

Disability support workers are vital carers for vulnerable individuals and their families and help people to live their lives as independently as possible and support them in reaching their potential, through both practical and emotional support. The type of support can include helping with household tasks, filling out paperwork, administering medication and personal care.  The type of care you provide will be tailored to the needs of the individual. It is an incredibly varied and rewarding role as you will be helping vulnerable people to improve their quality of life, achieve their goals and make a very real and positive difference to their lives.

When it comes to disability services and caring for people of all abilities, balancing dignity of risk and duty of care can be challenging. At first glance, it may seem as though these two philosophies are at odds with each other, making it difficult to achieve both successfully at the same time. However, the two actually go hand in hand as part of the person’s complete care program. Here’s how we see it here at Lifeplan.

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WHAT IS DIGNITY OF RISK?

In essence, dignity of risk is a person’s right to make their own choices and decisions, even when those decisions could put them in harm’s way. For example, as a child grows up, their parents give them more flexibility and freedom in how they play, even though there could be the risk of the child getting hurt.

Climbing trees, roller-skating, playing sports and other activities are all common for children, even though injuries are common as well. Many parents leave it up to their kids to decide which activities they want to participate in, and some will choose risky activities while others prefer to play it safe.

Making mistakes and learning from trial and error are key factors in how we grow and develop in our formative years and throughout our lives. Dignity of risk is the basic human right that allows this process to happen. Without ever being exposed to the potential of risk, we would be unable to achieve our full potential.

This concept may seem simple enough at first, but it becomes much more complex in cases of people living with mental or physical challenges. They may not have the ability to weigh the potential risks inherent in a particular situation, which means that they may not be able to make informed decisions for themselves. That’s where duty of care comes in.

WHAT IS DUTY OF CARE?

Duty of care refers to the caregiver’s responsibility to provide a person with a safe environment in which to live. Particularly when working with people of all abilities, caregivers must take extra precautions to accommodate the mental and physical challenges of those under their care.

Caregivers are trained to do everything in their power to keep their customers as safe as possible at all times. This can include things like keeping them from entering traffic at a busy intersection or preventing their access to foods to which they are allergic, for example. All of this is done with the best interests of the person in mind.

Caregivers must take into consideration the mental and physical capacities of those in their care in order to make informed decisions as to how to care for them. However, there is a fine balance between providing adequate help and taking away the person’s dignity of risk.

HOW DO DIGNITY OF RISK AND DUTY OF CARE INTERACT?

The dominant ideology around care and risk positions them at opposite ends of a spectrum. By providing increased levels of care, the caregiver is removing potential risks. However, this also removes a level of independence and autonomy from the customer. Conversely, if the caregiver provides less hands-on care, the customer will be exposed to increased levels of risk, but they also gain the ability to learn through trial-and-error.

Care and risk are often presented as a dichotomy and the relationship between these two concepts needs to be reframed. Duty of care does mean having systems in place to limit risks, but not at the detriment of a person’s right to decision-making. Instead of how risk can be avoided, caregivers should think about how they could support someone to do what they wanted safely.

For example, a care professional could recommend a customer to move to a diet of thickened fluids. If the customer declines, staff can support their decision to continue to eat solid foods by supervising them during meals and regularly checking up with them after in order to minimise risk.

HOW DO WE FIND THE PERFECT BALANCE?

Though it may seem as though dignity of risk and duty of care are at odds with each other, that is not actually the case. By simply reframing the general approach to the two, we can begin to see things from a different perspective. Dignity of risk is, in fact, a key component of duty of care, and the two can most certainly work together in harmony.

Rather than thinking of this pair of concepts in terms of one or the other, it is important to see how they can work together as one. It is crucial that caregivers empower those under their care to make their own decisions. By providing them with the tools and information they need to make decisions effectively, our customers will be better able to exercise their dignity of risk.

Thus, it becomes part of the caregiver’s duty of care to give their customers as much knowledge and support as possible about their rights, abilities and opportunities.

The final piece of the puzzle is to support our customers to develop the confidence they need to make their own decisions in the future by supporting the choices they are currently making. Each individual has their own passions, goals and dreams, and it is important to make sure that they feel empowered to achieve these in a way that suits their needs and abilities.

PUTTING IT ALL INTO PRACTICE

Here at Lifeplan, we are proud to prioritise our customer’s dignity of risk as much as possible. We recognise that it is our duty as caregivers not to protect our customers from all possible risk but to empower them with the tools they need to manage those risks for themselves. We welcome you to get in touch with us to learn more about our support services for people of all abilities and how we can assist. Call now on (08) 9277 7223 to get started today!

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What is Person Centred Care and Why Does it Matter?

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What to Expect From Your Perth Disability Service Provider

At Lifeplan, we focus on fulfilling a person’s needs beyond their disability so they can lead the life they want. To deliver our disability services with high-quality support and care, we have adopted a person centred approach. It allows us to be accessible and responsive, so we can consistently meet the diverse needs of those who use our services.

But the question is – what exactly is person centred care and why is it important?

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WHAT IS PERSON CENTRED CARE?

As the name suggests, person centred care puts the person at the heart of their care. It’s about catering to the needs of the person, not the service, and encouraging the individual to engage in and take an active role in their care plan. It’s important to respect that people will have their views on what’s best for them along with their values and priorities. Person centred care takes an individual’s specific needs and desires and makes them the driving force behind all decisions and quality measurements. Factors such as their goals and ambitions, family, friends and lifestyle should all be considered to develop a collaborative and flexible plan for the future.

Significant others including family, carers and other supports should also have a level of involvement in the decision-making process. As a support provider, Lifeplan’s role is to work closely and openly with families, friends, local coordinators and planners to facilitate the positive outcomes of decisions and choices.

WHAT ARE THE KEY FEATURES OF PERSON CENTRED CARE?

• The person is centre to all decisions and the planning of their care
• Significant others such as family members and friends are considered in the decision-making process
• The plan needs to reflect the person’s capacities, what is important to them, and specifies the support they require to make a valued contribution to their community
• Continual listening, learning and action from support providers to help the person get what they want out of life

WHY IS PERSON CENTRED CARE IMPORTANT?

Adopting a person centred care approach has been demonstrated to positively influence support care outcomes. Most importantly, person centred care helps individuals receive more appropriate and tailored care. However, it also brings many other benefits to individuals and support providers alike.

No one appreciates having decisions made for them without their input. Person centred care represents a shift in the traditional roles of disability support care. Gone are the days of experts’ telling individuals what is best for them and expecting unquestioned compliance. Instead, the relationship has evolved into one where the individual is considered an equal partner alongside their support provider in decision making, planning, goal setting and monitoring of their care.

Person centred care does just this by encouraging the active collaboration and shared decision making between the individual, their family, and their service provider to design and manage a customised, comprehensive care plan.

Everyone wants to remain independent for as long as possible. Person centred care encourages independence in the individual by empowering them to have greater control over their life. This increased autonomy results in the individual being able to perform more tasks with less dependence on their disability support provider. Not only is this beneficial on a personal level for the individual, but it also encourages them to take a greater part in decision making. By raising their engagement, support providers can reach better, more suitable decisions relating to their care.

HOW TO ACHIEVE PERSON CENTRED CARE

Lifeplan strives to achieve person centred care through the following:

• Taking a holistic approach to assessing their needs and providing care
• Including families and friends in the decision-making process
• Ensuring that our services are easily accessible and flexible
• Looking at their whole experience of care to promote coordination and continuity
• Making sure that the physical, cultural and psychosocial environment of our services follows the person centred care ethos
• Ensuring that all staff are supportive, well trained in communication and striving to put people at the centre of their care
• Focusing on strengths, goals and working within a positive framework
• Supporting values, rights, beliefs and positive relationships across all stakeholders
• Encouraging choice wherever relevant to the person and within an environment of respect for others

The movement towards a person centred approach in the disability support sector demonstrates how fully involving an individual at all stages of their plan will lead to more efficacious and satisfying outcomes.

By adopting a person centred approach, our methods become safer, of higher quality, and more effective. It also satisfies an ethical imperative – involving those in the planning and governance of their care is just simply the right thing to do. Contact us today to start your Lifeplan care plan.

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Disability sports and recreation activities are increasingly becoming a powerful tool for positive change in our society and there are more options available, just like other disability services. Sports and recreation present an opportunity for all people to improve not just their physical health, but also mental well-being, providing immediate and long-term health benefits.

Sports and recreation activities help create a positive and inclusive social environment where vital social and life skills can be fostered and strengthened. These activities can help people of all abilities get out and about in the community, creating a positive outlook and well-being.

In this article, we explore how disability sports and recreation can influence the following:

• Physically Healthier & Higher Energy Levels
• Social Benefits
• Goal Setting & Confidence
• Communication, Teamwork & Leadership Skills
• Learn How to Deal with Setbacks
• A Better Night’s Sleep & De-Stressor

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Physically Healthier & Higher Energy Levels

The physical health benefits of an active lifestyle are well known. Regularly participating in disability sports and recreation activities can lead to many physical improvements including:

• increased muscle strength,
• improved balance and motor skills,
• enhanced cardiovascular endurance and
• higher energy levels

For those with disabilities, an increase in physical strength and energy can lead to a greater level of independence and freedom as more daily tasks can be completed without assistance.

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Social Benefits

Sport and recreation has the rare ability to transcend social, linguistic, and cultural barriers. Thanks to its universal popularity and ability to draw people of different backgrounds together, disability sports and recreation are a fantastic tool for fostering the inclusion and well-being of those of all abilities.

All across Australia, there are sport and recreation activities coordinated by people living with a disability seeking to enjoy the social benefits. Through these organised activities, community members can meet friends with similar life experiences and create a positive social network.

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Goal Setting & Confidence

Sport and recreation activities primarily centre around setting, working towards, and accomplishing goals. Through goal setting, disability sports and recreation can become a tool to boost confidence and improve self-esteem.

Goal setting is an extremely effective motivation technique and when used correctly, a potentially empowering life skill. Goal setting gives an individual a sense of progression by creating an achievable, step-by-step framework to success.

When goals are successfully achieved, an enormous sense of accomplishment and pride is felt, boosting one’s self-confidence. With the knowledge of goal setting, heightened motivation and renewed confidence, goals and tasks in the workplace or other settings will become more likely to succeed.

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Communication, Teamwork & Leadership Skills

In order to be successful in team-based activities, it’s necessary to know how to work well with others. The ability to communicate effectively is not just the key to success in disability sport and recreation, but also in social and workplace environments. By understanding the nuances of how to communicate and coordinate with one another, reaching a common goal becomes an attainable feat.

Team sports such as AFL, rugby, soccer and basketball are perfect for developing leadership traits and skills. When you are part of a team, whether you’re training, winning or losing, you do it together.

People involved in disability sports and recreation are naturally more inclined to adopt a “team mindset” in social situations and the workplace. A team mindset leads to strong leadership qualities over time, and these skills can then be applied in day-to-day life.

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Learn How to Deal with Setbacks

No team will win 100% of the time. Dealing with a poor performance or loss, learning from your mistakes and trying again is all part of the journey. Understanding how to improve and overcome setbacks is one of the most important skills that can be gained from participating in disability sports and recreation.

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A Better Night’s Sleep & De-Stressor

Everyone knows how important sleep is to our general well-being. Participating in regular disability sport and recreation can help improve quality of sleep. Exercise obviously causes a great deal of physical fatigue but can also be mentally demanding.

Sport and recreation often require a high level of concentration, critical thinking and quick decision making which can be mentally exhausting. Strenuous physical activity increases the time spent in deep sleep, the most physically restorative sleep phase.

Deep sleep helps to support cardiac health, boost immune function, and control stress and anxiety. Exercise is also an excellent natural remedy for dealing with stress. Physical activity reduces the levels of stress hormones in the body and releases endorphins, the body’s happy chemical.

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Start Your Sport & Recreation Plan Today

Sport and recreation can greatly enhance the lives of people in our community living with a disability, by improving physical health and mental well-being. It is also an excellent platform to work on important life and social skills.

When it comes to finding the right disability sport and recreation activity, people in Australia are spoilt for choice. Lifeplan are a Perth NDIS Service Provider and can help you get the right supports you need, to participate in your chosen sport or recreation activity. Get in touch with Lifeplan today so we can help find the perfect activity for you.

Contact our friendly team on 9277 7223 or email enquires@lifeplan.org.au.

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FAQs

What sports can people with disabilities participate in?

Many sports and recreation activities have been adapted to be able to include people with disabilities. Swimming, tennis, basketball, golf, soccer, hockey is just a small selection of sports that people with disabilities can participate in.

How does disability affect participation in sport?

Many factors could be at play here, whether it’s lack of confidence or self-esteem, not being able to afford to participate due to low income levels or non-enjoyment of exercise are just some factors which may come into play.

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