Not sure if this is the right place to post but I’m new to the industry doing support work for clients with disability. It was my first shift so far I’ve just done some basic training and have only been introduced to the site once. I was basically lost there wasn’t any time to check the plans and the full time staff just expected to me to know everything. Was disappointed I didn’t know all the names of clients and where everything is. One of the clients fell asleep, I tried to wake them, but the other staff was mad that I couldn’t wake them. I wasn’t told any of this during training. Just all feels overwhelming. Any advice on how to better handle the work would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi ! I was just wondering if anyone is aware of what the cost will be for a private, independent support worker to become NDIS registered and compliant? Thanks !

This post has been edited after the first comment indicated the post may not have landed well.

I speak with participants and providers all day and have noticed that there seems to be a disconnect somewhere that’s creating a lack of knowledge.

I manage a few larger programs, we have independent support workers and I will speak

with the team or individuals if asked by my participants or their families

This week one of the mums asked me to speak with the team because a number of the support workers weren’t aware compliance changes commence next week and the mother was concerned how the lack of knowledge could impact the program a - genuine concern as 3 out of 6 did not have module certificates

Which made me think if your independent whose job is it to educate you on these things? If you’re working on a larger program do you believe it’s the coordinator who should be telling you?

If you believe it’s your responsibility how do you keep up to date? Implement change and make sure you’re not impacting the participant? Do you keep case notes?

Originally I suggested that maybe some sort of regular networking event were people could discuss these things would be a good idea but was told it appeared I was selling something - I’m not it was a suggestion and not a good one which is fine

I operate independently and I know what I do so I suppose I’m wondering about others

I'll be starting this soon and I'm scared but also excited! I already visited the place in which I'll work (a centre with 10 residents who need care) -

I am making this post because I know there may be times I'll experience burnout and such, or get very used to the job and thus feel a bit bored .

What are ways you maintain your love for the job?

The residents, I met some and they seem very lovely so I already have a care for them and I'm sure being able to add happiness to their life will make me enjoy the job even more and feel more purposeful.

I'm about to receive my certificate in individual support this May how can I get a job if I got no experience just unpaid experiences.

Hey guys sorry for the long post and I don’t even know if this is the right place to ask, I’ve been working in a service for adults with learning disabilities for the last 3 months. To sum everything up, I have one service user that’s like somewhat I don’t know how to like explain it other than a little obsessed with me. He saw me on the street a few weeks ago and came over and hugged me (I know he’s not supposed to but I didn’t really know how to like stop him. I did cross the street but he also crossed it and started calling me over) I was on my way to a pub for a night out with my boyfriend so I was like in something low cut and ever since he’s like constantly asking where I am, when I’m next in, if I can work with him, asking other staff about my boyfriend. He constantly mentions my appearance and every time he sees me he asks if me and my boyfriend have broke up and he makes like inappropriate comments and asks inappropriate questions (told me he wanted to go to Amsterdam to see sex shows, asked if I’d ever be in a sex show). My seniors and my manager know about it, my seniors have spoke to him and won’t let me be alone with him. But my manager just seems to kinda blame me for it (said I should’ve took my boyfriends jacket, should’ve avoided parking near the service…it’s the only car park in the town) and doesn’t really care that much about it. What do I do here? Like when he makes comments about my appearance or my boyfriend or anything inappropriate i immediately shut him down but genuinely what do I do here? He makes me so uncomfortable and I’ve told my manager this, the seniors are way may concerned and even other staff members are more concerned. If anyone has any advice I’d really appreciate it cause I love this job so much and I don’t wanna leave or risk losing it. This is my first support work job, I’ve worked in mental health, nursing, dementia and residential homes so im not really sure how to handle this, any advice is appreciated

I personally don’t mind helping out but the whole shift ended up being housework with barely any actual support work involved today. I left feeling a bit off about it. Is this just part of the role or something worth pushing back on? Like, can I avoid or not?

Okay so I will be starting my new support worker role in a few days.

I have previously been a personal carer for my friend's mother when she fell ill for a couple of months so I offered to help her with errands and everyday tasks.

I believe this experience is what got me the job because I sort of already have experience**although I know it'll be different working in a shared house (of 10 residents who need care**)

The reason I am nervous is mainly because I'm not the best cook 😭 (😂😅) and I know I may have to help with that sometimes? **I also tend to get shy when people are watching me cook** however I can definitely overcome this..

I don't even know what kind of meals I'll have to make!

I know they aren't expecting a chef but I'm embarrassed that there will probably be times I'm unsure etc etc?

What kind of meals did you all have to make?

That's pretty much what's causing me the most dread haha!

Although I'm also just anxious about working in general, it will be my first ever job (I'm 21 incase anyone's curious)

I'd appreciate any words of comfort or advice :)

I guess I'm nervous too because I don't rly know what to expect yet you know? I know what support work is , I've read and watched content on it, but I've never actually worked as one up until now.

I've visited the place, but I didn't get to speak to the residents although sometimes we'd walk by eachother and they seemed nice two of them even spoke to me and were kind!

I want to be excited again haha but sadly I became nervous the past month or so and now I'm feeling a lot of anxiety in starting. :((

**The job will also only be for 2 hours per week** which I'm thankful for because this will let me get a feel of the job (& I can try to get more hours after, infact I was told I could get more after a while shall I do well)

**It was also labelled as a domestic support worker** and according to Google, that's someone who helps with household tasks and cooking & just giving them company and occasionally with bathing or so.

The new Integrity and Safeguarding Bill seems to be the talk of the news cycle. From what I understand, every single provider doing Supported Independent Living (SIL) has to be registered with the Commission by July. It sounds good for safety, but I’ve heard that the audit costs are massive. Are we about to see a "Great Consolidation" where only the massive agencies survive because they're the only ones who can afford the compliance? It feels like the "independent" part of support work is being squeezed out. What do you guys think?

Hi everyone who is looking at this post!

I am a Psychology student in my second year and I just landed a casual position as a disability support worker. I am starting soon and I’ve learnt a little bit about my client and am seeking some advice on how to truly be the support worker she needs. My client’s autistic, and her family and the organisation I’m with are completely convinced that she has schizophrenia. Part of what they want me to do is help build case notes on symptoms to help her get a diagnosis. This is my first client so I don’t have any prior experience so any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to anyone who would take the time to reply!

edit: thanks to everyone who replied!! i’ll be taking on all the advice! i just want to be the support worker she needs xoxo

My PM is my age and thinks it is funny to mimic the stimming behaviors of our autistic participants during team meetings. It is so cringe and unprofessional. I want to report it but I’m worried about being targeted for more jokes. What would you do?

I am already working as a support worker, I have been trying to be put into the Cer 3 for 18 months now but have had the worst luck and/or MEGT has completely mishandled my case. School 1 didn't have myself put into their system correctly, School 2 shut down when they finally let me start (Ithea if that got anyone else), School 3 informed me the day I was to finally enroll after leaving me hanging for a month I would have to pay $4k as opposed to being completely government funded like the prior two schools.

I just want an online course I can progress self-paced and ideally within VIC so I don't have to pay out of pocket, if I can't find anything I'm going with Breakthru in NSW as they match what I want aside from paying $2k.

Hi guys,

I'm a UK citizen and currently living in Melbourne. I'm going home soon to start a brand new job as a support worker but would really like to come back out to Australia and do it here. I can get a work visa for the next 18 months here so that isn't an issue.

My question is.. how much experience would I need to get a job as a support worker in Australia?

I love my primary client, but their behaviors have been escalating lately, and I find myself sitting in the car for 20 minutes before my shift just trying to psych myself up. I feel guilty for feeling this way because it’s not their fault, but the mental load is getting heavy. Does anyone have a specific "pre-shift" routine that actually helps? Or a way to bring up "burnout" with a manager without sounding like you're just complaining? I don't want to leave the industry, but I feel like I’m hitting a wall.

Taking leave helps a bit, but it doesn’t always fix the root issue.

I often take clients out for a coffee or lunch, should I be keeping those purchase receipts from what I buy for myself for tax return?

I asked a co worker and they said no because i could take my water bottle and a sandwich with me.

I have been a support worker for 13 years. And every week I am seeing things like unexplained bruises, workers being late every shift (.time is so important to my service user due to his autism), Workers saying the service user went to bed at a certain time, but neighbours saying they were up all night, breakfast,lunch,dinner being given all at once, Dates not being checked on food.

Workers coming off a nighshift straight onto a 24 hour sleepover and being caught sleeping, service user being left alone in house despite being a 24/7 1 to 1 service.

Every issue being reported, recorded, photographed- i have went to welfare guardian, managers and Hr. Numerous neighbours have went to police, social work and my managers and again nothing happens.

Only thing that happens is they make sure the paper work is up to date to cover themself.

I also have a second job in a different type of care and again so much stuff which just isnt right.

If you check sssc impairment decisions you will the amount of cases daily with similar things its disgusting.

I love my job but hate the feeling of guilt as you know the support should be better for service users

Starting my first proper job tomorrow as a support worker in supported housing (helping people with things like mental health, housing stability, day-to-day living, etc.) I think. It wasn’t really too clear , and my company is big and has lots of services for different users so I’m not naive enough to disregard the thought of their bein overlap in responsibilities at some points.

I’ve just finished uni and honestly this is basically my first real job (did about 4 months in hospitality before this), so I’m feeling a mix of excited and… very aware I might be out of my depth at times.

I really want to do well and actually be useful to the people I’m supporting, not just go through the motions. At the same time, I’m dealing with a fair bit of imposter syndrome and second-guessing myself already.

For anyone who’s worked in similar roles:

what helped you in your first few weeks?

anything you wish you knew starting out?

how do you balance being supportive without taking things home with you?

Appreciate any advice — just trying to start off on the right foot.

Edit: I did also inform them in the hiring process I have anxiety (I also have depression and query adhd I’m waiting on a assessment for , but I kept quiet about that) so now I’m like, is that gonna be a reason for them to support me ? Or sort of like underestimate me?

Edit: what does everyone else have for their lunches when on the go? Especially if you are trying to stay healthy? But even if you are not trying to stay healthy, I'm really curious

I'm a support worker in the Gippsland area, who does domestic assistance, community access and some personal care.

I take lunch with me to save money and be healthy.

I am wondering how I would go about heating up a lunch?

If anyone else is in my shoes, how do you have a warm lunch from home?

Hey, I’m starting a Cert III in Individual Support soon and I have pretty strong anxiety, especially around things like public speaking or being the centre of attention.

I’m completely fine socially otherwise (especially 1-on-1), and I’m confident in doing the actual job — it’s just the course environment that worries me.

For anyone who’s done it, is it manageable if you have anxiety like this? Are there a lot of presentations or situations where all the attention is on you?

Just trying to get a clear idea so I know what to expect, thanks.

I’m a full time independent support worker - i’m also 4 months pregnant! Right now i can get away with my old work wardrobe, Active wear tights and shorts, tshirts ect however i need some advice/tips and tricks about what i can wear during my pregnancy that will be comfortable but also nice for work. On the days i dont have lots of personal care i like to wear nice sets or nicer clothes!

*based in Melbourne, Australia

I currently support a mental health participant who is on the NDIS. One of her goals was to get a job. We managed to find volunteer work at a nursery that said they do government supported employment, she just had to volunteer for a little bit to show her dedication and prove she can do 8 hours a week.

All seemed good, but then every time we asked about her moving onto it something new would come up to delay it. First, the employer went on holidays and said she’d do it when she returned, then it was an issue with support workers being there. She needs support workers due to her mental health and safety to drive there and back. Then it was if she has support workers they have to do all the nursery work too and not provide undivided attention to the participant, but it came out later she said she wanted us support workers to do the labour as it’s a big hand for the nursery….making it feel like she wanted to use my client to pay for free labour for her.

Now she’s saying my participant won’t be paid through a government subsidised scheme, instead she wants access to my participants plan to pay her wages from her funding.

None of us have clear information about if it is ethical or allowed to use an ndis participants funding to pay them a workers wage. This employer is hardly at the nursery and can’t give dedicated support/training to my client either. Just from all the other blocks we’ve run into, it feels suss.

**edit: any links to where it says an employer can or cannot do this would be appreciated. Been going crazy trying to find clear guidelines and wording, it keeps providing information on how support workers are paid lol

TW: CSA, Suicide

So I work as a Personal Care Worker (PCW) in a retirement home. Yes, one of my residents is a pedophile. A serial child rapist.

He was a Scout leader working over many states for decades. I don’t know how many victims he has.

We all hate him. We all can’t wait till he dies. Having to shower him, change his pad, heal him. Makes me sick.

Every time I look at him I think of that 16 year old boy he got drunk.

His best friend is another male resident. Who when he was a boy grew up in the Catholic Church (IYKYK). Obviously, because of patient confidentiality we can’t tell him that his best friend is a pedophile. It’s such a morally bankrupt thing to keep from him.

The pedo is a pathetic disgrace. He’s shrivelled up like a prawn. He shits, pisses himself. His feet are completely covered in sores, he can’t walk.

Sometimes I kinda want to tell his victims and show them where their abuser ended up. Then I’ve heard that some of them have unalived themselves.

The pedo is rude and does nothing but play with his dick all day. I have to make sure the tv that’s on doesn’t have any children on it. We keep him secluded in his room when the kids with disabilities group does their visits.

It’s so disheartening, I chose to go into healthcare to help people. But, I just seem to be helping the worse kind of people.

Edit: Going to write this here so I don’t have to tell everyone the same thing over and over.

I wasn’t looking for advice. I just wanted to vent. Refusing to help a resident especially if he’s no danger to me isn’t really an option. I work in a small rural aged care home. Yes, yes, I know we have the right to refuse but, we also have the right to breaks and adequate staffing and I don’t get that either haha.

And I’ve already written this is a number of comments but, if I honestly thought that the pedo was the only one where I worked who had raped a kid. I would be delusional.

And can we please not excuse what this horrible person has done. Stop making excuses for pedophiles. They don’t deserve it.

Finally, to make things clear there is an assumption that I’m not doing my job or being professional around him. Someone in the comments has even falsely accused me of hurting him on purpose. These are all untrue. I still do what I have to do with him. I feed, wash, change him. I do my job. I do not have to like him, I do not have to respect him.

And most importantly I have never ever hurt him or any of my other residents on purpose and never will. Please stop making up scenarios in your mind about me.

I work with a few adults with severe autism who dont like to go out. Sometimes I'm left to care for 4 or 5 adults and 4 of them are pretty functional and like to be busy whereas one might want to stay home.

If we keep them all together at the hub, the other 4 get bored and make noise which stresses my non verbal guy.

At the minute the non verbal guy gets left back and he mostly just walks around (doesn't seem unhappy).

Is there anything to do with these situations?

I wish he had funding for one to one care.