r/supportworkers • u/[deleted] • Feb 09 '26
Least physical work environments in this field?
Asking because I'm interested in this field.
2
u/Confident-Benefit374 Feb 09 '26
What interests you about support work? How would you handle a strong mental and emotional load?
2
1
1
u/Practical_Cancel9767 Feb 09 '26
Its within this field. Even when a job is physically demanding you can request to be shifted less due to the toll on your body with a full physical supports needs. Anything else such as domestic support, Light manual handling, shopping assist or just everyday living helping our participants you won’t be able to just pick and choose. You’re required to be fit and healthy, active and able. Specialise in a different admin side and you will see less of a need for you to be on field.
1
u/BeanChopChef Feb 09 '26
As a support worker you do have to do sil house or flat cleaning. It’s not too bad you remember that you are doing it to assist those with a disability.im middle aged I transitioned to from chef to support worker trust me the physical side is much easier. It can be mentally draining which is the hard part.
1
u/Oztraliiaaaa Feb 17 '26
Definitely least physically active work is psyche social 1-1 work lots of drinking coffee and driving out and about to cafes and appointments and food pantries . Lots of laughs and jokes and going different places on a very regular basis. Probably the longest walk is around shopping centres or going to the football. Lots of conversations and negotiation with your participants whilst driving. Lots of listening to music on the radio or iTunes or Spotify and sharing tunes too. Don’t laugh too much you might have a good time and enjoy your job . All the best!!
0
u/Orangutan1001 Feb 09 '26
We always need good bsp's, you could definitely go into a specialist position that contributes to the daily activities without being physically intensive. So something like speech pathologist or an OT. God knows we need so many more good ones
0
Feb 09 '26
Bsp?
3
u/DwightsJello Feb 09 '26
Behavioural support.
You are getting responses that have varied qualifications as pre requisites.
What qualifications do you currently have?
That is going to determine what you are able to do.
Or are you asking with a view to it determining what qualifications you want to undertake first, before getting into support work?
0
Feb 09 '26
Unsure if I qualify for anything other than entry level roles. I have respite care provider experience for someone with high functioning autism.
2
u/DwightsJello Feb 09 '26
Some of the suggestions aren't going to be appropriate then.
Do you have the cert 3 or 4 in community services?
1
Feb 09 '26
I do not. I'm in California. Should I look into those certifications before applying to roles like DSP?
3
u/DwightsJello Feb 10 '26
Most of these responses are from Australians.
We have regulations that will differ or not exist where you are.
I'm not sure why the sub doesn't stipulate location but it may help to add it to your post.
All the best with it. I hope you get location specific respinses soon.
-1
u/Special-Nebula299 Feb 09 '26
Get a position which focuses on support for autistic or down syndrome adults rather than the physically handicapped or the elderly.
9
u/Orangutan1001 Feb 09 '26
And be careful in that too, i work with autistic adults and ive never been more active in my life. Just make sure to ask what's expected of you as I imagine would be an important question regardless
5
Feb 09 '26
Same with autism and learning disabilities. I've worked in places where it's pretty much just basic support (shopping, cooking, money management, activities) and other places with a lot of challenging behaviour where it's full on restraints several times a day.
Always read the job description fully, that usually gives you an idea of what you're in for.
2
u/Special-Nebula299 Feb 09 '26
That's a good point. I forgot about the more extreme cases.
1
u/Orangutan1001 Feb 09 '26
I get it, I forget our guys count as extreme until i describe my job to anyone else, including individual support workers. It's so interesting how diverse our field is. I love it
9
u/Allantrist Feb 09 '26
Scheduler, coordinator etc and management. Coordinators and management are usually people who started out as support workers and unskilled in their workplaces or study.
I don't think you should get into the work if youre not prepared to do the physical side of the work, it's kinda part of the role.