If you want to make a real difference in your community and help people maintain their independence, individual support work could be the perfect career choice.
‘Individual support’ is an umbrella term that includes both disability support workers and those working in aged care, both in residential facilities and within people’s own homes.
Chris Grieef, Health & Specialist Services educator at Chisholm, says the ‘individual’ aspect is key.
“Individual support is based on the individual – it’s not necessarily for an aged person, and it’s based around creating a package of care for them. We also call it a person-centred approach,” she says.
What does an individual support worker do?
Individual support workers – also called personal care attendants (PCAs) – take on a variety of care roles.
“Traditionally, people thought it was just taking clients on a shopping trip – but a personal care attendant actually does much more than that,” says Chris.
The support you’ll provide to clients living in their own homes can range from house cleaning – such as vacuuming and mopping the floors and changing the bed sheets – to personal hygiene, shopping and meal assistance, and transportation.
Chris says a seemingly simple task like driving clients to appointments can have a real, positive impact.
“To be able to get that person out of their home and into the community – not just being stuck at home – is a wonderful thing for a carer to be able to do for an elderly person or a person with a disability.”
As well as assisting people in their own homes, you could also choose to work within a residential care facility.
What attributes does a support worker need?
Chris says, most importantly, support workers need to be compassionate and want to give back to their community.
“They have to have a caring nature; they need to have a passion and a love for the elderly and the vulnerable – and want to make a difference in that person's life.”
She says support work can be a rewarding career and you can make strong bonds with your clients.
“Again, it's not about one size fits all. It’s about looking at the person as an individual and working for them to give them the best possible eight hours of your life.”
How can you become an individual support worker?
To become a support worker, you’ll need to undertake training such as Chisholm’s Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care Home and Community), which is available, tuition free, as part of Free TAFE pathways.
Chris says these courses teach the broad range of skills you’ll need on the job.
“We teach students the legal aspects, the health and safety aspects; we teach them about body systems and how our bodies change as we get older.”
You’ll also learn how to communicate with elderly people or those with a disability, about cultural differences when caring, and how to support a client with dementia.
If you specifically want a disability support worker job, you can choose to undertake the Certificate IV in Disability.
How can you get industry experience?
Chris says Chisholm’s courses include a four-week industry placement to help you put your skills into practice.
“Placement is where students learn to perfect the skills that we have taught them in the lab and in the classroom,” she says.
“They can go in there and do it so competently and just make the resident’s day. It's really fulfilling for both the students and the resident.”
She says placements often help students secure a job within the industry.
“A high percentage of our students are offered a job where they do placement.”
Job prospects and salary expectations
Support workers are in high demand across Victoria and Australia, and there are diverse roles on offer.
“There is so much work out there for carers,” says Chris. “You can work in aged care facilities, you can work in home and community, you can work as a PCA while you decide to go on and do your nursing studies.”
In terms of salary expectations, according to the aged care award, you can expect to receive $861.40 per week as a level 1 aged care worker and, as you gain experience, progress to $1043.60 per week at level 7.
According to the award for disability service employees, you can expect a starting salary of $871.60 per week as a level 1 home care worker and progress to $1144 a week at level 5.
Chris says Chisholm’s Certificate III in Individual Support Work can also be used as a pathway into a nursing degree.
Want to become an individual support worker? Consider studying at Chisholm today. Head to our health courses page.
