Support Worker

National Disability And Community Services; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly rates

Ongoing training and development

Supportive team environment

Job summary

National Disability & Community Services (NDCS) is seeking a compassionate Disability Support Worker to join our team in Adelaide. Support one-on-one with a female participant living with Autism, ADHD and complex behaviours, following a Positive Behaviour Support Plan and emphasising dignity, safety and wellbeing.

You'll help with daily living, routines and life skills, manage challenging behaviours with de‑escalation skills, and communicate effectively with family and allied health

Qualifications

• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and de-escalation skills.
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a Support Worker or in a similar role.
• Experience supporting participants with Autism, ADHD or psychosocial disabilities.
• Positive Behaviour Support understanding is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver respectful, person-centred support aligned with the participant's goals and plans.
• Assist with personal care, daily living activities, meals, household tasks and community participation.
• Help develop routines, independence, emotional regulation and life skills.
• Respond calmly to behaviours of concern using evidence-based de-escalation techniques.
• Identify early signs of escalation and implement proactive behaviour support strategies.
• Follow Positive Behaviour Support Plans, risk management procedures and organisational policies.
• Maintain professional boundaries and a respectful therapeutic relationship.
• Promote dignity, choice, independence and quality of life for the participant.
• Complete shift notes, incident reports and other required documentation.
• Communicate effectively with family, allied health professionals and management.

Skills

Communication skills

De-escalation

Observation & reporting

Independent work

Conflict resolution

Job description

Support Worker – Autism & ADHD (Complex Behaviour Support)

National Disability & Community Services (NDCS) is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and resilient Disability Support Worker to join our growing team in supporting a female NDIS participant living with Autism, ADHD, and complex behaviours.

This role is best suited to a mature, confident and proactive support worker who has excellent communication skills, strong emotional resilience, and the ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.

About the Role

You will provide one‑on‑one, person‑centred support to a participant who experiences Autism, ADHD, and periods of emotional dysregulation. At times, the participant may display behaviours of concern, including verbal aggression towards support staff when feeling overwhelmed or distressed.

The successful applicant will understand that these behaviours are a form of communication and will respond using positive behaviour support strategies while maintaining the participant's dignity, safety, and wellbeing.

You will work independently, follow the participant's Positive Behaviour Support Plan, identify early signs of escalation, and confidently implement appropriate strategies to minimise risk and support positive outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver respectful, person‑centred support in line with the participant's goals, preferences, and support plan.

• Assist with personal care, daily living activities, meal preparation, household tasks, and community participation.

• Support the participant to develop routines, independence, emotional regulation, and life skills.

• Respond calmly and professionally to behaviours of concern using evidence‑based de‑escalation techniques.

• Recognise early signs of escalation and implement proactive behaviour support strategies.

• Follow Positive Behaviour Support Plans, risk management procedures, and organisational policies.

• Maintain professional boundaries while building a positive and respectful therapeutic relationship.

• Promote the participant's dignity, choice, independence, and quality of life.

• Complete accurate shift notes, incident reports, and other required documentation.

• Communicate effectively with the participant, family members, allied health professionals, and the management team.

About You

We are looking for someone who is confident, patient, reliable, and genuinely passionate about supporting people with disabilities.

The ideal applicant will have:

• Minimum 1 year of experience as a Support Worker, Mental Health Support Worker, Youth Worker, or in a similar role.

• Experience supporting participants with Autism, ADHD, psychosocial disabilities, or behaviours of concern.

• Strong understanding of Positive Behaviour Support and person‑centred practice.

• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and de‑escalation skills.

• Confidence working independently and making safe, informed decisions.

• The ability to remain calm, professional, and solution‑focused during challenging situations.

• Strong observation, documentation, and report‑writing skills.

• A proactive approach to participant safety, risk management, and quality support.

Highly Desirable

• Experience supporting participants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

• Experience supporting adults with ADHD.

• Positive Behaviour Support experience.

• Mental Health First Aid qualification.

• Crisis intervention or de‑escalation training.

• Trauma‑informed care experience.

• Experience implementing Behaviour Support Plans.

Why Join NDCS?

At National Disability & Community Services (NDCS), we are committed to empowering people with disabilities to live meaningful, independent, and fulfilling lives.

When you join our team, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive hourly rates, penalties and super
• Performance‑based bonuses and rewards
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Career progression opportunities
• Supportive and professional team environment
• Opportunity to make a genuine difference in people's lives

Important Information

This role is suitable for experienced support workers who are emotionally resilient and confident supporting participants with complex behaviours.

Applicants must be comfortable working with participants who may occasionally display verbal aggression during periods of emotional dysregulation and be committed to responding with patience, professionalism, and evidence‑based behaviour support strategies.

If you are passionate about delivering high‑quality, person‑centred support and are looking for a rewarding career with a supportive organisation, we would love to hear from you.

Join the National Disability & Community Services (NDCS) team, where compassion, professionalism, and excellence in care make a real difference every day.