In order to find disability support work, there are a few requirements that you must meet. Those who provide support to people with disabilities must have formal qualifications that represent their eagerness to acquire specialised knowledge and practical training.
But there is so much more to disability support worker jobs than modules and qualifications. It takes a particular individual with a compassionate skill set to excel in this field.
At Sage Education, we believe people who are eager to lend their time, labour, and kindness to the vulnerable members of our community deserve nothing but the best educative journey.
Our mission is to provide you with the necessary skills to thrive in your dream career, and so today, we shall explore the requirements of becoming a disability support worker.
Within our informative guide, we will cover the necessary skills and qualifications you must demonstrate to secure your dream role. Whether you wish to work part-time or full-time, we will ensure that you are prepared for the world of work!
Skills You Need to Become a Disability Support Worker
Before we explore the qualifications required to work in the disability sector, it is important to know the skills required to flourish within your role.
Patience
Although caring for individuals with a disability is incredibly rewarding, it isn’t always easy to work alongside disabled clients.
There may be times when your client acts out of frustration, upset, or anger.
You need to exhibit an unwavering degree of patience in order to find a resolution to your client’s distress whilst maintaining your professionalism.
Relationship Building
One of the most rewarding aspects of an allied health profession is making meaningful, lifelong connections with your clients.
Establishing those connections isn’t just essential for befriending your clients; it is also vital to gaining your client’s trust.
Working closely with a new stranger can be incredibly daunting and can foster future conflicts.
By establishing a friendly relationship promptly, with a cheery rapport and humour, you will appear trustworthy to your client. This will then allow you to provide more effective care.
Communication
You will encounter a diverse range of clients with a vast array of unique needs.
This means that you will need exceptional communication skills that can be adapted to a range of different clients.
For instance, you could be working with clients who have hearing or voice disorders who require you to speak clearly, slowly, and louder than your natural speaking voice.
On the other hand, the aforementioned disabilities, and others like them, require you to listen attentively and carefully so that you can begin providing individualised care.
Organisation
Working with clients is just one half of your role.
The other half includes paperwork, working with nurses and other healthcare professionals to address medical concerns and the overall monitoring of any changes in your client’s physical or mental health.
You must also expect to work at any time of the day, from early in the morning to late at night.
You must be able to organize your schedule so that you are on time for appointments, taking heavy traffic and weather conditions into account.
Empathy
Providing emotional support to your clients is one of your main duties as a disability support worker.
Your empathy and sensitivity are the first step to empowering your client promoting independence and participation within their community.
Your empathy must also extend to your client’s family to help them understand their needs and goals, so they are always in the loop. In doing this, you can also soothe the minds of the client’s family members, as well as garner their trust.
Eagerness to Learn
When it comes to the disability sector, there are always going to be more skills and knowledge that you can acquire to improve your practice.
You must maintain your unfaltering passion and commitment to your training. Make sure to stay up to date on changes to policies within your sector, upskill where necessary, and revalidate your first aid certificate when it expires.
Qualifications You Need to Become a Disability Support Worker
So, you’ve brushed up on the necessary skills to provide unparalleled personalised care – you now need to familiarise yourself with the qualifications you must have.
A Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
This entry-level qualification is perfect for those who are new to the disability support sector.
Enrolling in Sage Education’s Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability) course means that you will experience the best of hybrid learning.
We offer both daytime and evening classes that are suited to your lifestyle, providing government subsidies to make our revered course even more accessible!
Within our thoughtfully-crafted module structure, we shall cover how to work with diverse individuals, how to recognise healthy body systems, and so much more!
Another vital aspect of this course is the 120 hours of vocational placement that will organise for you. We find a vocational placement to be immeasurably beneficial to our students – how could acquiring real-life practical skills be anything else?
A Certificate IV in Disability
This course is perfect for those who are already employed in a disability or community centre.
Our Certificate IV in Disability course will provide you with the professional skills you need to secure supervisory and management positions.
Not only will you learn how to empower your clients, but you will also learn how to foster social inclusion via activities that you will learn how to organise and how to lead a team of support workers.
Our 14-module course will focus on meeting personal support needs, preparing you for the reality of working with individuals who have diverse needs.
Likening to our Certificate III in Individual Support course, you must complete 120 hours of vocational placement to acquire the practical leadership experience required for a supervisory/managerial role!
A Diploma of Community Services
Our Diploma of Community Services course is tailored for those who are looking to enhance their employment or change their career.
From case coordinators to community service workers, our Diploma of Community Services course is centred around your innovative talents.
Across our 16 units of competency, you will experience an unparalleled specialization in case management.
Covering everything from implementing service programs to developing workplace communication strategies, our modules are essential to ascending the ranks of your career!
With 100 hours of vocational placement and a wealth of managerial knowledge, you will be able to demonstrate your prowess like never before.
Additional Criteria/Certificates That Would Propel You Towards Your Dream Career
On top of your skills and qualifications, there are also a few other requirements that an employer would deem as a desirable skill for the role of a disability support worker:
– A driver’s license.
– A first aid certificate, which is something you can also obtain with Sage Education’s esteemed first aid courses.
– An enhanced background check (a federal police check, working with children check, etc.).
– An excellent understanding of language and literacy.
Job Boards For Disability Support Roles
– Indeed: https://au.indeed.com/q-disability-support-worker-l-brisbane-qld-jobs.html?vjk=11154914cfaa409c
– Jora: https://au.jora.com/Disability-Support-Worker-jobs-in-Queensland
– CareerOne: https://www.careerone.com.au/disability-support-worker-jobs/in-brisbane-qld
– SimplyHired: https://www.simplyhired.com.au/search?q=disability+support+worker&l=brisbane+qld
– SEEK: https://www.seek.com.au/disability-support-worker-jobs/in-All-Brisbane-QLD
Enrol with Sage Education
So, you know how to become a disability support worker and where to start your dream career, it’s time to enrol with one of the top education providers in Queensland!
Being a nationally Registered Training Organisation for the past twenty-five years, we know how to hone the potential of our successful graduates.
When you study with Sage Education, you will gain access to an abundance of specialised knowledge, practical training, and connections to the top employers in the disability support industry!
Not only will we give you the ability to empower, encourage, and enhance the lives of your clients, but you will experience firsthand how our educative courses have transformed our students’ lives.
All you need to do to kickstart an excellent career in a highly rewarding profession is get in touch!
