Senior Support Worker

About The Role

The Senior Support Worker is the operational lead role within our support teams — combining direct participant support with mentoring newer staff, handling complex care situations, and providing a calm, experienced point of contact in the homes and programs we run.

You’re not a manager, but you’re someone people look to. You’ll still spend significant time directly supporting participants — that remains a core part of the role — while also helping shape culture, quality, and consistency across the team. The mix between direct support and supporting others varies depending on what arises day to day.

This role suits someone who has solid disability support experience and wants more responsibility without stepping fully into management.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing direct support to participants — a substantial portion of the role
• Mentoring newer Support Workers — answering questions, modelling good practice, providing on-shift guidance
• On-the-job coaching during shifts
• Onboarding shadow shifts for new hires
• Training delivery (formal sessions where required)
• Handling complex care situations as they arise
• Acting as a senior point of contact in homes and on programs when the Service Coordinator isn’t on shift
• Supporting onboarding and induction for new staff
• Reviewing and contributing to support plans and shift handover quality
• Identifying training needs and flagging issues to leadership
• Maintaining the same documentation, compliance, and safety standards as Support Workers
• Continuing your own professional development

What Makes You "Senior"

We’re Looking For Someone Who

• Has 2–3+ years’ direct experience as a Support Worker (or equivalent disability support role)
• Has worked with varied participants and complex needs
• Has an understanding of what it takes to run a facility (day program or SIL home)
• Brings strong communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills
• Is comfortable taking initiative and supporting others

Reporting & Progression

• Reports to: Service Coordinator (the internal operations role above the Senior Support Worker)
• Career pathway: Service Coordinator is the next step up

What You’ll Need (Mandatory at Hire)

• NDIS Worker Screening Check
• First Aid certification
• CPR certification
• NDIS Worker Induction Modules (completed)
• Working With Children Check (WWCC)
• Driver’s licence (current)
• Personal vehicle
• Full comprehensive car insurance
• Right to work in Australia

Nice to Have

• Certificate IV in Disability Support or related field
• Previous experience mentoring, training, or supervising staff
• Experience with behaviour support, complex care, or specialist participants
• Knowledge of NDIS Practice Standards and Quality & Safeguards Commission requirements
• Experience handling incidents and writing detailed reports

What We Offer

• Pay in accordance with the SCHADS Award at the appropriate Senior Support Worker level
• A senior operational role without full management responsibility
• Comprehensive paid induction and ongoing training
• Targeted training in mentoring, leadership, and complex care
• Career progression into Service Coordinator
• Ongoing professional development budget
• Flexible scheduling (where roles allow)
• Team events and social connection
• 6-month probation period; 2 weeks’ notice once confirmed