Support Workers

• Dedicated and passionate Support Workers called to support individuals with disability!

• Flexible and rewarding positions for those with the will, capacity and vision for an inclusive community!

• Attractive hourly rate, plus outstanding benefits like salary packaging options and company mobile phone!

About the Organisation

Open Minds is a not-for-profit, non government Disability Support Provider assisting individuals with a mental illness, intellectual disability or acquired brain injury.

Open Minds provides community based disability support services to enhance individual
participation and lifestyle within the community.

Open Minds services include:

• Acquired Brain Injury Support - offering psycho-social rehabilitation and lifestyle support to facilitate successful recovery post injury;
• Lifestyle Support Service - helping individuals to live independently;
• Open Employment and Personal Support - supporting individuals to obtain and sustain employment;
• Residential Services - supporting people to live well and independently within an accommodation setting of their choice;
• Personal Helpers and Mentors Program - helping individuals to work towards achieving recovery through outreach, access to community services and social connection

About the Opportunity

Due to continued growth and demand for their high quality services, Open Minds is currently seeking skilled and passionate people to join their Brisbane team as Support Workers!

Roles exist in the organisation's Lifestyle Support, ABI Support and Residential Support sectors.

Lifestyle Support involves helping individuals live independently by utilising community access to help enhance participation and lifestyle within the community.

Acquired Brain Injury Support involves offering psycho-social rehabilitation and lifestyle support to facilitate successful recovery post injury.

Residential Support involves supporting people to live well and independently within an accommodation setting of their choice by ensuring a warm, caring and stimulating environment for all persons in residence. Open Minds have residential houses at Doolandella, Sunnybank, Runcorn and Tanah Merah and provide support to clients in Kingston, Mt Gravatt and Woodridge. Providing residential support also involves the implementation of personal care plans and the utilisation of community access time. Residential Support Workers will be aware of individual developmental and socializing programs for each client utilising the objectives of the least restrictive environment.

The primary aim of these roles is to provide direct support to clients within their own community network to achieve their individual goals. Support should generally focus on assisting the client to learn necessary skills or strategies as opposed to doing the tasks for the client.

Some of your more specific tasks will include:

• Encouraging and facilitating access to community resources including social, educational, vocational, recreational and leisure activities;
• Maintaining necessary records as requested by management;
• Ensuring communication lines are open between all stakeholders (client, coordinator, funding bodies and other relevant parties such as families);
• Assisting with household or cleaning duties, if the client's circumstances require;
• Encouraging client's re-integration into the community by using positive reinforcement and feedback; and
• Participating in and contributing to orientation, staff meetings, supervision and professional development opportunities.

Open Minds is seeking candidates who have knowledge of and experience working with people with a mental illness, people with a disability or people facing disadvantage or adversity. While qualifications in a Disability related discipline will be beneficial, they are not essential.

These roles will suit empathetic and enthusiastic people, with the ability to work with clients from a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds and ages, some of whom may present with challenging behaviours and attitudes. Ideally, you will have a genuine desire to help others and improve the community.

Applicants require the following certificates and clearances to work in this role:

• Current C Class driver's licence
• Current positive Criminal History Screen clearance (Open Minds can help you get this upon employment)
  
• "Working with Children" Blue Card (Open Minds can help you get this upon employment)
  

The successful candidates should have strong communication, interpersonal and organisational skills, including competent computer skills, clear and objective report writing skills, and a commitment to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Open Minds is looking for flexible and reliable people who are available to work rostered hours that are reflective of the changing needs of the client base. With Full Time, Part Time or Casual roles available, to suit your lifestyle and commitments, a pattern of work hours will be established between you and the Coordinator. The roles may require evening, overnight and/or weekend work. You may also be required for "on call" or, in emergencies, "recalled to work" duties for which you will be reimbursed according to award. Public holidays shifts may be required from time to time, for which ongoing hours will be negotiated.

Open Minds is dedicated to supporting you in your new career and assisting with career advancement . The successful candidates will enjoy the fantastic working conditions and a range of benefits, including:

• An attractive hourly wage based on the Social and Community Services (Queensland) Award (SACS) Level 3, plus super.
  


• A company mobile phone;


• Access to company motor vehicles for day-to-day use;


• Salary sacrifice fringe benefits tax exemption options;


• In-service training and professional development (including a valuable mentoring program)


• A family friendly workplace, where the importance of a healthy work-life balance is recognised; and


• A supportive and friendly organisational culture.

These are extremely fulfilling and satisfying roles, great if you wish to finish each working day knowing you have improved the lives of others and truly made a difference to the community!