Disability Support Work
Disability support work is about making a difference every day. Support workers help people with intellectual disabilities live meaningful lives by building independence, creating connections, and taking part in their communities.
The Kind of Work You Can Do
As a disability support worker, you will support individuals in many settings, such as:
- At home - helping with daily living and building confidence
- At work - supporting success and skill development on the job
- With family - strengthening connections and stability in family homes
- In the community - encouraging participation in recreation facilities, libraries, social events, and more
Disability Support Workers
Disability Support Workers - sometimes called Direct Support Workers - are part of a support team that helps individuals thrive. In this role, you will:
- Provide day-to-day direct support
- Create opportunities to learn new skills in a variety of areas like cooking, budgeting, transportation or communication
- Help individuals achieve their personal goals and dreams
- Encourage individuals to contribute and participate in the community
- Support friendships and meaningful relationships
Every day is different, and every day is rewarding.
Management and Leadership Roles
For qualified disability support workers, there are opportunities to grow into management and leadership positions.
Frontline Supervisors are responsible for:
- Ensuring services for individuals are person centred
- Overseeing day-to-day operations run smoothly
- Supervising staff, including coaching and mentoring
- Managing administration and finances
- Building networks within the community
Specialist Roles
Some agencies offer specialized positions such as Employment Consultants or Case Managers, who focus on career development. In these roles, you may:
- Find and supervise community based work opportunities
- Support individuals in exploring careers, identifying job options and locating potential work opportunities
- Secure paid employment opportunities
- Provide training and follow-up to ensure success
Senior Management
In larger organizations, Program Coordinators and Senior Managers play a key role in service delivery. They usually work in large organizations, reporting to executive directors or chief executive officers. They:
- Supervise daily operations
- Lead and direct staff teams
- Develop and manage support services
- Monitor budgets
- Handle administrative responsibilities
Executive Leadership
At the highest level, Executive directors provide overall leadership and management to the agency. They:
- Ensure the agency's mission and vision are achieved
- Ensure the agency delivers high quality support services
- Monitor financial accountability
- Administer policies and procedures
- Carry out the agency's strategic plan
