Community Support Worker

Kerima Care; Sydney; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerima Care seeks an experienced Community Worker to support participants with disability in accessing community life and achieving personal goals. You will follow individual plans and risk assessments, promoting independence and informed decision-making.

You will maintain confidential records, collaborate with families and professionals, and participate in training. A suitable qualification and one year of experience are preferred for this role in Sydney’s service environment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree, advanced diploma, diploma or equivalent in relevant field.
• At least one year full-time experience in the relevant field (or more).
• Interest in supporting people with disability to participate in community life and achieve personal goals.
• Clear communication, active listening and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow support plans, procedures, instructions and reporting requirements accurately.
• Sound judgement, reliability, patience, initiative and the ability to respond calmly to changing situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and a participant-centred approach.
• Relevant experience or qualifications in community services, disability, individual support or a related field are desirable; any mandatory role-specific requirements must be verified before appointment.

Responsibilities

• Support participants to access community activities, appointments, social groups, recreation, education, volunteering and other agreed activities.
• Promote participant choice, control, privacy, dignity, cultural safety, communication preferences and informed decision-making.
• Encourage independence and skill development rather than unnecessarily completing tasks on a participant's behalf.
• Follow individual support plans, goals, communication plans, positive behaviour support plans and risk-management instructions relevant to the shift.
• Assist with agreed daily-living and community-access tasks within the worker's training, role boundaries and the participant's plan.
• Provide transport or accompany participants during outings only where authorised, appropriately licensed, insured and consistent with organisational procedures.
• Observe and report changes in wellbeing, presentation, support needs or environmental risks to the appropriate supervisor.
• Complete accurate, timely case notes, progress notes, attendance records, activity records and other required documentation.
• Recognise, respond to and promptly report incidents, injuries, hazards, allegations, safeguarding concerns and suspected abuse or neglect in line with policy and legal requirements.
• Maintain professional boundaries and protect participant information and confidentiality.
• Work collaboratively with participants, families, nominees, colleagues and allied health or other professionals where authorised and appropriate.
• Attend required training, supervision, team meetings and performance reviews.
• Follow work health and safety procedures, infection prevention and control practices, emergency procedures and manual-handling guidance.
• Perform other reasonable duties consistent with the position, competence and applicable employment requirements.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Documentation

Confidentiality

Team collaboration

Risk awareness

Education

Associate degree or diploma in relevant field

Job description

Operations Manager / Team Leader / Growth ,Client services and Partnerships Manager

Location

As required by service delivery and participant support plans

Position purpose

The Community Worker supports people with disability to participate in community, social, recreational, educational and everyday activities in ways that promote choice, inclusion, independence, dignity and personal goals. Support must be delivered in accordance with the participant's support plan, relevant risk assessments, Kerima Care policies and applicable legal and NDS requirements.

2. Key responsibilities

• Support participants to access community activities, appointments, social groups, recreation, education, volunteering and other agreed activities.
• Promote participant choice, control, privacy, dignity, cultural safety, communication preferences and informed decision-making.
• Encourage independence and skill development rather than unnecessarily completing tasks on a participant's behalf.
• Follow individual support plans, goals, communication plans, positive behaviour support plans and risk-management instructions relevant to the shift.
• Assist with agreed daily-living and community-access tasks within the worker's training, role boundaries and the participant's plan.
• Provide transport or accompany participants during outings only where authorised, appropriately licensed, insured and consistent with organisational procedures.
• Observe and report changes in wellbeing, presentation, support needs or environmental risks to the appropriate supervisor.
• Complete accurate, timely case notes, progress notes, attendance records, activity records and other required documentation.
• Recognise, respond to and promptly report incidents, injuries, hazards, allegations, safeguarding concerns and suspected abuse or neglect in line with policy and legal requirements.
• Maintain professional boundaries and protect participant information and confidentiality.
• Work collaboratively with participants, families, nominees, colleagues and allied health or other professionals where authorised and appropriate.
• Attend required training, supervision, team meetings and performance reviews.
• Follow work health and safety procedures, infection prevention and control practices, emergency procedures and manual-handling guidance.
• Perform other reasonable duties consistent with the position, competence and applicable employment requirements.

3. Selection criteria

• Qualification: Associate degree, advanced diploma, diploma or equivalent qualification the relevant field
• Work experience: At least one year of full time experience in the relevant field (or more, if preferred).
• Demonstrated interest in supporting people with disability to participate in community life and achieve personal goals.
• Clear communication, active listening, interpersonal skills and the ability to build respectful professional relationships.
• Ability to follow support plans, procedures, instructions and reporting requirements accurately.
• Sound judgement, reliability, patience, initiative and the ability to respond calmly to changing situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and a participant-centred approach.
• Ability to complete written records using the organisation's approved systems.
• Relevant experience or qualifications in community services, disability, individual support or a related field are desirable; any mandatory role-specific requirements must be verified before appointment.

4. Mandatory checks and role requirements

Before commencing duties, the worker must hold and maintain all checks, clearances, licences and training required for the actual duties, work location and applicable law. These may include an NDIS Worker Screening Check, Working with Children Check where relevant, identity and work-rights checks, driver's licence and appropriate vehicle insurance where driving is required, first aid/CPR, and role-specific training. Kerima Care must confirm which requirements apply to this position and the worker.

5. Health, safety and safeguarding

The worker must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others, follow safe work instructions, use approved equipment, and report hazards promptly. The worker must not undertake clinical, medication, restrictive-practice or other regulated tasks unless authorised, competent, trained and permitted under the participant's plan, organisational policy and applicable requirements.

6. Performance expectations

• Participant support is respectful, safe, reliable and consistent with agreed goals and plans.
• Documentation is factual, objective, complete and submitted within required timeframes.
• Incidents and safeguarding concerns are escalated promptly through the correct reporting pathway.
• Training, supervision, policies and professional boundaries are maintained.
• Feedback from participants and authorised representatives is received respectfully and escalated where needed.