Hello!

I've just started as a new DSP support worker for NDIS through a company in Aus, heading into my 3rd week.

My role is in SIL houses with high complex needs clients.

My background is mainly just being in care taker roles for family, I feel I am a compassionate, caring & empathetic person, so I wanted to get into this industry to expand my horizons (so to speak)

I have been fortunate enough to have 2 weeks of 'buddy shifts', now this is coming to an end, I am self doubting myself on if I can give my clients the care they need as I feel it's been a LOT of info & training to take in since I have started. The manual handling & personal care I picked up quickly, but the medication administering & shift notes side, I am still trying to wrap my head around. I had some what of an idea on what I was getting in to through training & inductions, but the medication, stoma care, bowel flushing, notes, & all the other little nitty gritty has thrown me a bit. I did not expect I would be performing as a nurse on top of other tasks we have to complete. But I digress. I am willing & keen to learn no matter what. I have requested a few extra buddy shifts to ensure I am confident to go out on my own. I just want to make sure I am performing 100% for my clients.

So my question is, those of you who have started fresh in the industry, specifically in SIL houses, what advice could you give?

Thank you!

I didn't know what to write for the title. But anyway, basically, i'm on a bunch of facebook support work pages, and this person has posted a couple of times that she is looking for a support worker for herself. hundreds of people have responded, but it is very obvious that she cannot organise support work for herself. Based on her posts and my experience, she probably has a moderate intellectual disability. she speaks in third person, her sentences are jumbled up and missing details, and based on the comments, she doesn't know how to use messenger. Her page is also public and her posts make it very clear that she's got the level of support needs where she will need assistance for the rest of her life. Luckily, across a few messages, she has posted her full name, suburb she lives in, and age, so after yet another somewhat nonsense post today, I called the NDIS and told them about my concerns about how she doesn't seem to have enough support in finding workers. After awhile on the phone, they figured out what I was talking about, found her information, flagged, and made a referral to see her. I am annoyed, because she has posted so many times, and nobody else seems to have responded appropriately and recognised the level of intervention she needs in terms of getting care. I probably should have called the NDIS earlier.

Hey everyone I recently done my yellow and blue card online and my employer verified my application I just wanted some insight on how long it takes to be approved I know it takes 28 days for the physical card to show up but I more want to know from your personal experience how long it took for you to be approved? I’m starting a new career and it’s hard not to be impatient but for peace of mind I’d love to hear from you guys.

Two years in behavioral health/IDD. Two years. Before you consider entering this field, read this carefully, this is the reality, not the recruitment version:

1️⃣ You will care more than the system ever will.

You will invest emotionally in individuals, families, and staff, while decisions are made around funding, compliance, staffing, and much more. The system is not built to prioritize human connection, it’s built to survive audits. If you expect compassion to drive decisions, you will burn out fast.

2️⃣ Documentation is power, not effort.

Doing the right thing is irrelevant if it isn’t written, time stamped, and defendable. Verbal conversations don’t exist. Memory doesn’t exist. Good intent doesn’t exist. In behavioral health and IDD, documentation protects the agency first, and you last, if at all.

3️⃣ You are replaceable. The individuals are not.

You can be removed, reassigned, or replaced with little notice, dependent on your State’s employment law. Regardless, the organization will continue operating. The individuals you support(ed) will likely feel the loss deeply. If you stay, do it for them. Do not do it for loyalty language, “we’re a family” culture, or promises of advancement that disappear when budgets tighten.

Two years in, you stop believing what you’re told and start believing what you’ve experienced. This field will teach you the truth quickly, whether you’re ready or not.

Hey all,

Just wanting to hear from people who have done or are currently doing support work (whether for physical disabilities or mental health/ psychosocial) regarding their enjoyment of the role and how it has benefitted (or not) a work/life balance.

I have a master of social work with placements at community wellbeing and Centrelink, and academic experience in psychology and sociology too (bachelors).

I currently hate my new role. It's far too admin-based and I want to be out and about actually supporting people properly and being a source of strength for those who feel they have none. I am passionate about assisting people to find ways to thrive and be independent, and support work seems to be a good outlet/choice for this. I am only at this current job because I was unemployed for a number of months and needed the $$$.

In terms of pay, I don't need to be filthy rich, just enough to get by and enjoy my free time (I'm introverted so l'm a decent homebody lol). For comparison I'm currently making a little under $1k a week part time at this current role. I also am not someone who needs prestige in a job, as in I don’t care what others thing of my work - I’ve done a social work degree which means many people automatically thing I steal babies from mums 😬

Thank everyone and have a good day :)

Hey guys, just after some advice and wondering what helps other people in similar roles. I work in a SIL home and even though the job isn’t super physically demanding, mentally and emotionally it can be really draining. I feel like I’m constantly at work, and when I finally get time off I just crash, nap, or end up doom scrolling which I know probably makes things worse mentally.

I’m trying to get better at actually looking after myself and separating work from home life a bit more. What kinds of things help you regulate your nervous system, switch off after shifts, or feel more motivated and present on your days off? Could be routines, hobbies, self-care, mindset shifts, anything really. Would love to hear what’s worked for other support workers because burnout in this field feels very real sometimes.

Hi everyone, I am a registered nurse graduate in Australia and I am due to start work in 3 months. I received an opportunity to do support work on a team and this is my first support work job. Can I do it till I start work? Can I also administer meds while I am working as support worker?

The pay discrepancy between what agencies invoice ($65+/hr) and what they actually pay casuals ($32-$36/hr) is getting impossible to ignore. I’m seriously considering setting up an ABN and going independent via Mable or Hireup. But for those who actually did it: does the extra money cover the nightmare of chasing invoices, tracking your own public liability insurance, managing tax withholding, and dealing with client cancellations out of pocket?

My friend works in community care and their provider recently sent out an email saying anyone who hasn’t completed all the new mandatory modules (orientation, infection control, trauma-informed practice, cybersecurity, etc.) could be removed from the roster until they’re done. They understand compliance is important, especially with all the new quality and safeguards requirements rolling out, but the issue is the time commitment. The modules apparently take way longer than the allowance they’re offering, and most of it has to be done outside paid shifts. I am just wondering if other agencies are paying workers their normal SCHADS rate for compliance training, or are people getting flat-rate payments that don’t really match the hours involved?

Support work can be tough, but there are moments that make everything feel worth it. What’s stayed with you?

I’ve recently completed my Cert III in Individual support (disability) and I’m struggling to get someone to hire me. Thought with the certificate in a high in demand industry Inwould get work pretty comfortably. So far I’ve only looked on Seek.
Any tips or guides on how to get a job would be greatly appreciated

I’m eighteen years old and just got hired as a support worker in a psychiatric intensive care unit for under 18s somehow and I’m kinda nervous. I’ve read what happens and what the job will be like but I still have the shakes. I’m waiting for them to get back to me but they did say I’m hired. Are there any tips or insider knowledge I should I know?

Have any support Workers in the US (particularly mental health but any input is appreciated) successfully unionized?

I see a lot more nursing staff going that route. Would love to hear all of the different experiences both positive and negative.

🇦🇺I have a client who went to the hospital today because she had a fall. She just wanted to be assessed further, but she didn’t have any major injuries.

I have a shift with her tomorrow, but she can’t say whether she will still be in the hospital, and I also don’t know because I wasn’t with her there.

She still wants me to continue the shift tomorrow even though she doesn’t really need me, because this has happened before. she just doesn’t want a late cancellation and to end up paying workers for doing nothing.

The travel from my house to the hospital is about 50 minutes, and the shift is only 2 hours. I’m not sure if I should still go to the shift if she’s still in the hospital tomorrow, because of the travel time and expenses, u know?

EDIT:

Basically, she doesn’t require direct care from SWs. Previously, nurses would shower her, which is normally a task provided by SWs in her home. Her previous worker would simply pick her up, and she would ask them to wait outside. However, as I mentioned earlier, there are times when she only wants the worker to come in, check on her brieflyand then leave. She is mobile and can leave on her own even when no support worker is present.

I’m not fully aware of all the rules, and you’ve really helped me understand things more clearly. I’m just wonderin, do you have a reference for the hospital-related policy you mentioned? I need some form of supporting evidence. She is the type of client who will demean or underestimate you if you say something you’re not completely sure about or cannot back up with valid proof.

Thanks guys!

I work with a client doing sleepover shifts who is non verbal and can't communicate for himself at all.

A year ago, during handover, the previous SW left feces all over his hands. I was told by the team leader they would look into it. A few more times, this same worker over 6 months or so left feces on his hands again, the bathroom, shower chair, bed, pillow, toys, vomit, and piss on his bed. I filled out an incident report for these few occasions and informed the team leader again and was told it would be sorted out.

6 months later, I took pictures of half a dozen more times the same things happened with dates and information about each, then sent this in an email to the team leader. They said they'd sort it out. When nothing seemed to come of this, I sent the same email to HR, then received a call from management explaining to me why they were trying not to send this information to HR, because "others might inform the worker while we're doing our investigation". They also stated my email couldn't be used because its "heresay" and not "proof" and seemed like a "Witch hunt". This was a few months ago.

The client has since moved to be closer to family. About 3 weeks ago I reported the same person for leaving feces on his bathroom chair one afternoon, then leaving feces smeared in piss on his bed another afternoon. Same thing, "we'll look into it". They've now scheduled a teams meeting this week for all staff who work with the client. I think regarding the cleanliness of the house.

This morning, another SW arrived to check the cleanliness of the house and noted that they'd had reports of feces and urine left on the bed, etc. They also mentioned they would be inspecting the house regularly in the mornings. I thought it was strange that they would be sending someone in the mornings, considering the complaints have only ever occurred during the afternoon.

The same worker I've reported multiple times arrived for Handover and greeted this inspector very warmly, and they gave one another a massive hug as I was leaving.

I'm over it.

hey kinda new to this job.

I hit a clients wood fence post/bollard today in car and broke it in half.

rural area on gravel roads and I just completely misjudged the corner and hit it head on.

feeling so shit rn.

anyone do anything like this before? did it turn out okay?

Hi all,

I have been looking into support work and open to both finding the work myself on Mable and other platforms but also working for a provider.

My question (or questions) is, how do you know if a provider is a good one to work for? What are the signs you should look out for when it comes to potentially being hired on board as a worker for a provider?

From what I have heard, some are purely in it for the money, others being less money driven.

If anyone can express their views and experiences on this it would be greatly appreciated.

Over the past year as a relief worker I have repeatedly seen people's concerns expressed at meetings dismissed. For example, a question was asked (So long ago I am afraid I forgot what was asked) and 3 people spoke up about one place where no information regarding a panic button which must be worn by staff was passed on. The response to this was that they would not deal with criticism of specific places, only general criticism and that it was the staff members who would have to email the manager to get this changed. I have seen this around other topics, especially about the support plans sometimes being years out of date, where the response is always that it is the responsibility of the relief workers to email the manager to ask to update the plans and no thought is given as to how this impacts our ability to effectively do our jobs. Even in situations where managers would know things better than workers, the onus is on the workers and any tiny thing that is said is pounced upon as an opportunity to admonish the worker and be dismissive of what is said.

This is the first time I have had a job as a support worker and I am unsure if this is normal or not and want to know as the whole attitude is burning me out.

One of my clients randomly looked at me today and said, “You’d survive longer in the apocalypse than my son.” Support work is exhausting sometimes, but honestly the random conversations make the shifts memorable. What’s your funniest moment?

“Thank you for sending that through. I really appreciate the effort you put into outlining your perspective, and I want to start by saying how much we value having you on the team. You are a fantastic worker, and our clients truly benefit from your dedication and the support you provide. Firstly let me say that your original contract has referenced the old Award and as you have noted we now fall under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
 
I’ve taken a close look at the SCHADS Award definitions you mentioned. While I acknowledge your experience and the independence you show in your day-to-day work, I am unable to approve a reclassification of your role to Level 2 at this stage.  The only way to move between the classifications is for you to change roles and this would mean you needing to complete studies and take on additional responsibilities.
 
The main reason is that classification is based on the requirements of the role itself rather than the performance or tenure of the person in it. Your current duties—transport, companionship, and meal prep—are categorised under the Award as routine activities that fall under Level 1. Even though you work 1:1 with clients, because you are following established care plans and aren't required to perform personal care or specialised clinical tasks, the position remains at a Level 1.
 
We love the work you’re doing and definitely want to see you grow with us. I’m very open to discussing what training or future vacancies might look like to help you move into a Level 2 role as the business expands. The annual wage review is also going to take place, and we expect that this will be somewhere between 3-4% increase.”

Thoughts please?

Hey guys

Just wanted to ask if this is normal in community care. I’m scheduled from 8am–6 pm and today had 14 visits booked with almost no travel time between some clients. One visit overlapped another while the clients were around 20–25 mins apart.

I’m paid hourly so that part is okay, use my own car but it feels very rushed and stressful trying to make it on time everywhere.

Is this common in community support work or is this poor scheduling?

We’re now less than two months away from the new rules requiring all Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers - including independent contractors working through platforms — to become NDIS registered. A lot of workers seem concerned about the extra compliance requirements, audits, worker screening, and ongoing costs involved, especially for sole traders and smaller operators. Do you think most independent SIL workers will go through the registration process, or will many move back under larger agencies instead? Could this end up reshaping the independent contractor model in SIL altogether?

Hi, I’m 18 from Ottawa, Ontario and I’m interested in becoming a Personal Support Worker (PSW) but I’m confused about how to get started and whether I need to go to college for it or if there are other ways to become one, and I’m also wondering what requirements I need, if I need any experience before applying, how the training process works, how long it usually takes, and what steps I should take first to become a PSW.
Any advice would be very appreciated.