The role of a support worker is one of immense trust, skill, and compassion. It’s a career built on empowering others to live their best lives. At Liorn Support Services, we know that the best support comes from people who are not only passionate but also continuously growing their skills and knowledge.
Whether you are a support worker looking to enhance your career, or an NDIS participant or family member wanting to understand what exceptional support looks like, this guide is for you. Investing in skills is investing in people, and it’s at the heart of everything we do.
The Foundation: Formal Qualifications
Every great journey starts with a solid foundation. For support workers, this often begins with formal qualifications that provide the essential knowledge to deliver safe and effective support.
- Certificate III or IV in Individual Support (Disability): These qualifications cover the fundamentals, from person-centred care and communication to safety procedures and legal and ethical frameworks.
- First Aid and CPR Certificates: These are non-negotiable. Having up-to-date certification ensures a worker is prepared to respond confidently in an emergency.
- NDIS Worker Orientation Module: This module ensures all workers have a clear understanding of their obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct.
These qualifications are the starting point, demonstrating a commitment to professional standards from day one.
Deepening Expertise: Specialised Training
Every NDIS participant is unique, with their own specific goals, needs, and preferences. That’s why specialised training is so vital. It allows a support worker to move beyond general support and offer truly tailored, expert care.
Key areas for upskilling include:
- Complex Behaviours of Concern: Understanding triggers and implementing positive behaviour support strategies with empathy and skill.
- Autism & Neurodiversity: Learning to provide support in a way that is affirming and respects different ways of thinking and experiencing the world.
- Mental Health First Aid: Gaining the skills to provide initial support to someone developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.
- Manual Handling and Mobility: Ensuring the safety and comfort of participants with physical disabilities during transfers and mobility assistance.
- Specific Health Needs: Training in areas like medication administration, PEG feeding, or epilepsy management.
When a support worker pursues specialised training, they are not just adding a certificate to their resume; they are deepening their ability to provide nuanced and truly effective support.
The Power of Soft Skills: Connecting on a Human Level
Some of the most important skills a support worker can have aren't taught in a traditional classroom. 'Soft skills' are the relational skills that build trust, foster communication, and create a positive and empowering environment. These are skills that can, and should, be continuously developed.
- Active Listening: Truly hearing what a participant is saying (and what they’re not saying) to understand their needs and preferences.
- Empathy and Compassion: The ability to understand another person's feelings and perspective, and to respond with kindness.
- Clear and Respectful Communication: Adapting communication styles to suit the individual, ensuring information is shared clearly and respectfully.
- Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Life is unpredictable! A great support worker can think on their feet and adapt plans to handle unexpected challenges calmly and effectively.
Our Commitment at Liorn Support Services
For NDIS participants and their families, choosing a provider is about trust. You need to trust that the people supporting you are not only capable but are also supported to be the best they can be.
At Liorn Support Services, we don’t just expect our team to grow; we empower them to. We are deeply committed to the professional development of our staff because we know it translates directly to higher quality support for you.
This is how we do it:
- Ongoing Training: We provide regular, paid training sessions on a range of essential and specialised topics.
- Mentorship Programs: We pair new staff with experienced mentors to guide them as they begin their journey with us.
- Support for External Study: We encourage and support our team members who wish to pursue further qualifications and specialisations.
- A Culture of Learning: We foster an environment where asking questions, seeking feedback, and striving for improvement is celebrated.
When you choose Liorn, you are choosing a team that is dedicated, skilled, and always learning. Your goals are our priority, and that starts with having the best possible people by your side.