Starting a Career as a Disability Support Worker? 5 things you should know

Change your mindset

When becoming a Disability Support Worker, your role asks you to be compassionate, patient, adaptable and passionate. These qualities sit at the heart of person-centred disability support, which shapes how good support work is delivered day to day.

• Empathy: You need to put yourself in another person’s shoes and build a true connection and rapport with them. This will help you in the long run as they will learn to trust you more and more each day.
• Patient: Simple tasks such as tying laces will take a little longer than usual when you are assisting someone with a disability.
• Adaptable: Every day will be different, you will come across new issues, situations and no two clients will be the same.

Your role is to assist someone to develop a higher level of living and assisting them with everyday things, if you have an open mind about these tasks, this will help you significantly in your future career. For example, a short term goal of theirs might be to independently ordering their own food at a restaurant, by thinking outside the box and finding a creative solution could help you become a great Support Worker.

Positivity is key

A great support worker will understand that many people with disability experience low mood and depression, it is important to always lift their spirit and be energetic and positive. The goal would be for them to see you walk into the room and they immediately become happy. It might take a few months to build a good rapport with them, but it will be worth it in the end.

Kirana Colleges offers CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) or CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) to help you launch your career in Disability work. If you are weighing up which of the two suits you, Individual Support Disability vs Ageing: Which Pathway Fits Your Career Goals? compares them directly. You will learn to provide training and support in a manner that empowers people with disabilities to achieve greater levels of independence, self-reliance, community participation and well-being. Work with children, people with special needs, older Australians and people from different cultural backgrounds in this rewarding and fulfilling career.

We offer flexible learning options for students undertaking this course, where they can study either in a classroom, workplace or blended (classroom and online).

Once you start in your career as a Disability Support Worker, you need to be passionate! You are more likely to do a great job if you are passionate and constantly strive for success in your role. It can be demanding and it can even be challenging at times but if you enjoy what you are doing, then you should have no issues.

What does it take to become a GREAT Disability Support Worker? Don’t label yourself as an expert – keep learning, change things and embrace the adventure of taking a risk.

Like what you hear and want to start your dream career? Explore our nationally accredited new online courses, or read What Can You Do With Individual Support Courses? Roles, Settings and Next Steps to see where the training can lead. You can also contact one of our online sales representatives to find out more.