Senior Support Worker Illawarra

The Senior Support Worker plays a key leadership role in the delivery of high-quality community-based disability supports within Affords Explore and Drop-In Support Programs. This role is responsible for ensuring participants receive person-centred compliant and engaging supports that promote independence inclusion choice and control.

The purpose of this position is to:

• provides day-to-day operational leadership within their region
• supports onboarding of new participants
• monitors client documentation compliance
• coordinates regional group activities
• acts as a key liaison between participants families support workers and management.

Key Responsibilities

1. Quality Service Delivery

• Deliver high-quality person-centred supports aligned with participant goals support plans and NDIS Practice Standards.
• Support participants to build independence social connections life skills and community participation.
• Mentor and provide guidance to Support Workers in relation to best practice support delivery.
• Model positive behaviours and promote Affords values and culture.
• Ensure participants are supported in a safe respectful and inclusive environment.

2. Client Records and Compliance

• Maintain oversight of participant records within the allocated region.
• Ensure all participant files support plans behaviour support plans risk assessments consent forms and other required documentation remain current and compliant.
• Conduct monthly audits of client records and escalate compliance gaps.
• Ensure case notes are completed accurately professionally and within required timeframes.
• Support continuous improvement activities and quality assurance requirements.

3. Referral and Participant Growth

• Generate client referrals each month and support with onboarding.
• Assist with participant intake processes including assessments support planning introductions and commencement of services.
• Build positive relationships with participants families support coordinators and referral partners.
• Support regional growth initiatives and participant engagement activities.

4. Regional Program Coordination

• Plan coordinate and facilitate a minimum of one (1) regional group activity each week.
• Develop activities that promote community engagement social inclusion skill development health wellbeing and participant choice.
• Maintain attendance records and evaluate participant outcomes and engagement.
• Identify opportunities to expand community partnerships and local participation options.

5. Team Leadership and Support

• Provide operational support and coaching to Support Workers.
• Assist with onboarding and induction of new employees.
• Promote consistent practice standards across the region.
• Contribute to team meetings and service improvement initiatives.
• Escalate participant risks incidents and operational issues appropriately.

6. Risk Safety and Incident Management

• Ensure all incidents hazards and risks are reported in accordance with organisational requirements.
• Implement Behaviour Support Plans and Restrictive Practice requirements where applicable.
• Promote a culture of safety quality and continuous improvement.
• Comply with all legislative NDIS safeguarding and organisational requirements.

7. General

• Ensure that the role delivers high-quality services that are responsive to client and consumer needs and expectations
• Ensure the role delivers a high degree of customer service to all internal and external customers and clients
• Ensure that the role operates in a way that enhances cross functional collaboration.
• Ensure that the role actively manages incidents and complaints that relate to the functional area of the role as required including the use of any or all internal systems.
• Ensure that all complaints or feedback received by internal or external customers is responded to as required by service level agreements.

Success in this Role

A successful Senior Support Worker will maintain excellent participant compliance support regional growth through onboarding new participants create meaningful community connections through weekly activities and provide leadership that strengthens service quality across the Explore and Drop-In Support Programs.

Essential Criteria

• Certificate IV in Disability Community Services or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years experience in disability support services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators.
• Experience coordinating participant supports and community activities.
• Strong administrative and record management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to mentor and support frontline staff.
• Current First Aid and CPR Certificate.
• Current Australian Drivers Licence and willingness to travel within the region.
• Current NDIS Worker Screening Check.
• Current Working With Children Check (where applicable).
• Ability to use client management systems and Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in community participation or group-based support programs.
• Experience coordinating regional activities and events.
• Knowledge of behaviour support and restrictive practice requirements.
• Experience with participant onboarding and service commencement processes.