What Makes a Good Disability Support Worker? 7 Things to Look For
The support worker will be with you during your daily activities, your appointment, community involvement, or skills training. Hence, the choice of a support worker cannot be limited to their availability only.
It should be an interaction that respects and comforts you.
With regard to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), there is usually freedom to choose the provider as well as the support worker one wishes to deal with, depending on how their plan is managed.
Here are seven qualities worth considering.
1. They Listen Before They Assume
Proper assistance begins with listening.
The support provider should listen to your way of working rather than making assumptions about what you require.
That may include:
- Your routines
- Communication preferences
- Personal boundaries
- Interests
- Individual goals
- The level of assistance you want
For example, one person may want hands-on help with an activity, while another may prefer prompts so they can complete more of it independently.
Therefore, the right approach should reflect the individual rather than a standard routine.
2. They Respect Your Choice and Control
It is meant to assist in making your decisions rather than taking away from them.
The NDIS allows the participant the choice of working with the person they choose as well as the type of support.
In practice, that can mean involving you in choices about:
- Activities
- Daily routines
- Community outings
- How assistance is provided
- What goals you want to work towards
You should feel included in decisions that affect you.
3. Communication Feels Comfortable
Good communication doesn’t have a fixed format for everyone.
Some people may favor detailed discussions, while others may use visual forms of communication, devices for communication, gestures or concise messages.
An appropriate support worker needs to take time to know how you communicate.
Further, they need to be comfortable asking respectful questions when they are unsure rather than making assumptions.
If communication regularly leaves you frustrated or misunderstood, it may be worth discussing what needs to change.
4. They Are Consistent and Reliable
Consistency will allow the planning of support to be much easier.
For example, consistency may aid in scheduling everyday life, visits, and other activities in the community.
Furthermore, consistency will foster trust.
Nevertheless, reliability means more than arriving on time according to the schedule. The support worker needs to follow the set routines, know the client’s preferences, and communicate if there is any change.
It is especially helpful for those individuals who like everything to be scheduled and predicted.
5. They Support Independence Where Appropriate
Not all that supports necessarily means that everything must be done for a person.
On the contrary, it depends on what kind of support a person needs.
This could include helping someone learn how to cook, helping them go shopping, and helping them to gain confidence at community places.
According to NDIS, the support services will always be tailored to the particular needs of every participant as well as their goals.
The main question here is whether the support helps one participate in the way they would like.
6. Your Interests and Goals Matter to Them
Working effectively together is made easy when the support worker knows what matters to you.
The goals might be related to developing skills, making social connections, participating in community life, activities at home or anything else.
Hence, support must not be confined to finishing off a checklist of tasks.
Currently, Bliss Disability Care Services provides services for all sorts of support such as daily activities, community participation, life skills development, independent living and many others in Pakenham.
When you’re considering any kind of support, it helps to discuss what you like or want to achieve early on.
7. You Feel Respected and Comfortable
Technical skill is important but so is the tone of the relationship.
Respectful communication and proper consideration of your wishes must be expected by you.
It is equally important for you to be able to raise any concern.
According to current guidelines of the NDIS, participants may discuss the change in service provision if they are dissatisfied with the provided supports. In addition, the participants may ask for help from someone they trust and/or from a support coordinator.
Being able to communicate freely is an essential component of a productive relationship with your service provider.
What If a Support Worker Does Not Feel Like the Right Fit?
Sometimes the first match does not work.
That does not mean anyone has necessarily done something wrong. Personalities, communication styles, routines and support preferences can simply differ.
Start by identifying what feels unsuitable.
For example:
- Is communication unclear?
- Are your preferences being overlooked?
- Do you want more independence?
- Does the support match your goals?
- Do you feel comfortable raising concerns?
You can then discuss possible changes with your provider.
Official NDIS guidance also confirms that participants can change providers if concerns cannot be resolved, although service agreements and notice requirements may apply.
Finding Support That Fits the Individual
There is not one particular personality or work pattern that can make someone the ideal disability support worker for everyone.
It all depends on you.
The right disability support services must consider your patterns of living, objectives, communication and other preferences while maintaining your freedom to choose.
Bliss Disability Care Services offers disability support services from Pakenham, including assistance in carrying out personal activities, community participation, coordination of support, assistance in independent living and life skills training. The website also highlights Bliss as a registered NDIS provider.
Looking for disability support that better reflects your individual goals and preferences? Contact Bliss Disability Care Services to discuss the support options available to you.
FAQ
Participants generally have choice over who provides their supports, although available choices can depend on how funding is managed and the type of support involved. Current NDIS guidance recommends finding providers that suit your needs.
Discuss your routine, goals, communication preferences, personal boundaries, interests and the type of assistance you prefer. Clear expectations can help both people understand how they will work together.
A good fit usually involves respectful communication, reliability, appropriate boundaries and an approach that reflects your preferences and goals. Compatibility can differ from person to person.
Raise your concerns with the provider where you feel comfortable doing so. The NDIS also says you can ask a trusted person, support coordinator or plan manager to help communicate concerns.
Yes. Current NDIS guidance says participants can change providers. However, check your service agreement because notice or cancellation conditions may apply.
