What we look for in a Support Worker

Wattle Blue was founded with the mission to provide a high level of care and support to children and teenagers with disabilities and we take this mission seriously. Our founder and director, Jack, noticed the increasing lack of support for children across Canberra and since developing Wattle Blue, has now branched it’s disability support services to Wollongong and Newcastle.

The mission is and will always be the same: provide fun, enthusiastic, and engaging services to young people living with a disability. With this in mind, Wattle Blue strives to recruit Support Workers who share similar values. We believe Support Workers are the heart and soul of our organisation, and their ongoing commitment plays a vital role in enhancing the lives of each individual we care for.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the qualities and attributes necessary for disability support workers and what we look for in our team.

The qualities and attributes of a great support worker:

Empathy – Empathy is a key quality of effective support work. Our support workers must be able to understand and relate to the emotions, experiences and challenges faced by our clients. Empathy forms the foundation of a strong support-worker-client relationship, fostering trust and genuine connection.

Compassion – Compassion goes hand in hand with empathy. It’s the driving force behind a support worker’s willingness to help, along with their genuine concern for each client’s well-being, and their commitment to making a positive impact. Compassionate support workers don’t just fulfil tasks but work to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they support.

Patience – Support work can be demanding, and sometimes progress is slow. Patience is truly a virtue, especially when working with young people who may have unique communication or mobility challenges. Our support workers must have patience and understanding to allow our clients time and space to reach their goals.

Adaptability – Every client is unique, and their needs can change over time. Support workers must be flexible and adaptable, adjusting their approach to meet the evolving requirements of each individual. Whether it’s changes in routines, therapies, goals, or needs, adaptability is a must.

Effective Communication – Clear and effective communication is essential in this field. Support workers must not only listen carefully to their clients but also communicate instructions, provide reassurance, and coordinate with other professionals in the care team and the clients’ caregivers. Effective communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and working together for the client’s benefit.

Reliability – Our clients and their families rely on our support workers. Reliability is critical, as clients need to know they can count on their support workers to be there when needed. Being punctual and dependable is a must.

Professionalism – In all interactions, our support workers must maintain a high level of professionalism. This includes confidentiality, creating and respecting professional boundaries, and adhering to ethical standards. Professionalism helps create a safe and trusting environment for our clients.

Continual Learning – The field of disability support and the NDIS is always evolving, with new techniques, technologies, and therapies emerging regularly. Wattle Blue strives to be up-to-date and support our employees to be engaged with ongoing education and training, especially surrounding the latest practices and approaches.

Values of a Wattle Blue support worker

Wattle Blue was founded on the basis of providing quality support to children and young adults living with a disability. Laughter and smiles are a must for any person and our passionate and energetic support workers value this.
It’s important to us that we hire NDIS support workers for all our locations who share a similar vision to us and focus on: inclusion in the community, assistance accessing employment and involvement in enriching activities to achieve a better quality of life.

Finding the right disability support worker can be hard. Everyone is different and each person’s needs and interests are different. Wattle Blue is here to help match you with tailored support, tending to the specific needs of your loved one. At Wattle Blue, we strive to provide NDIS support workers in Wollongong, Canberra and Newcastle who bring an energy that will match each client as we wholeheartedly believe this creates the best possible environment for our clients to grow and reach their goals.

We are proud to have a team of passionate and enthusiastic individuals who embody these qualities and are committed to making a positive impact every day. As a growing business, we are always on the lookout for NDIS support worker located in Wollongong, Canberra or Newcastle who are enthusiastic, energetic, passionate and willing to learn. If this sounds like you, apply for a career with us today.