Developmental Support Worker jobs

Overview:

The Community Disability Support Worker is a front-line services role that has the responsibility to support and facilitate the development of skills and competencies that will assist persons with disabilities to pursue and fulfill their personal goals and objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Interaction and Planning (% of time estimate)

• Implement person-centred plans designed to support and assist clients with individual development, disability development, behaviour management and personal care.
• Assisting and supporting clients to participate (in a meaningful way) in their personal life planning. To assist them with the identification and definition of personal goals and aspirations.
• Assisting and supporting clients in the establishment and maintenance of shared and respectful relationships within the community, with a view towards meaningful participation and inclusion. This includes assisting and encouraging clients to participate effectively in employment, volunteer, recreation and other social settings.
• Understanding of community issues and opportunities, and assisting clients with general access and participation in the community.

Situational Awareness (% of time estimate)

• Awareness of the client’s physical, social and recreational environments. Taking action when required to minimize risk and maximize participation and inclusion. Assessing what situations should be escalated to a supervisor for further planning and discussion.
• Awareness of, and adherence to all company policies, procedures, practices and operational protocols. This includes awareness of, and adhering to medical protocols and standing orders relative to medication and other remedies.

Client Skills Development (% of time estimate)

• Model socially appropriate behaviours (for both the individual and the community). This may include acting as a social and/or employment role model and supporting (coaching) the client in prescribed situations.
• Working within the community to provide access and participation opportunities where appropriate. Actively seeking alternate avenues for additional services that may be available to the client.
• Assisting, supporting and encouraging individuals to achieve their personal goals through the development of basic living and related skills. Enhancing a client’s individual confidence, competence and participation within their social network (community, social, recreational, etc.). This includes both supporting the client’s life skill development and academic skill development (if appropriate), as well as modeling the desired and appropriate behaviours.
• Assisting clients to develop personal home living skills.

Personal Care and Wellness (% of time estimate)

• When required, participating directly in the care and maintenance of the client’s home living environment.
• Assisting and supporting clients to advocate on their own behalf (when necessary and appropriate) to have their needs met. This may include advocating on behalf of the client. In the case of services to children, this may focus on the development and application of basic socialization skills and assisting individuals to stand-up for themselves in social, recreation and education settings.

Client Administration and Reporting (% of time estimate)

• Maintaining clear and objective records, preparing reports and other documentation in a professional and timely manner.
• Communicating professionally and accurately with clients, families, guardians, staff and community representatives.
• Working effectively in a collaborative, team-orientated environment.

Core Competencies:

Section provides an overview of the key requirements of the job with respect to knowledge, skills and behaviours. It typically includes the name and definition of the competency (e.g., customer service) as well as the proficiency level required (if defined) and a brief description of what one would observe on seeing that competency demonstrated on the job.

Other Knowledge and Skills:

Section captures other knowledge and skill requirements not addressed elsewhere in the job description, such as the requirement for working knowledge of specific legislation and/or the ability to use specific software packages or other tools and equipment.

Education and Experience:

Section captures the required education and experience including requirements with respect to college or university degrees or diplomas and other types of certifications. It also captures the minimum level and type of previous work experience required. Finally, it notes what types of education and experience—while not formally required—would be an asset.

Working Conditions:

Section captures the key details of the working environment and notes key expectations that an individual in the role would need to be aware of (e.g., that business travel or overtime work is commonly required to meet the demands of the job, working in cold conditions, lifting, standing for extended periods, etc.).

Addendum:

While every effort has been made to ensure that this document is representative of duties associated position listed above, the list of tasks and responsibilities is not exhaustive and that the organization reserves the right to make changes to the job description in the future.