According to the World Health Organization, about 15 percent of the world’s population, or one billion people, live with some form of disability. These disabilities range from physical to mental, with many people living with a combination of both. While many of these people are able to live and work independently, there are also great number who need the assistance of people trained in Disability Care.
This number is only expected to grow as the population ages and rates of chronic diseases increase. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that there is a growing demand for professionals specialising in disability care and other person-centred services looking to make a genuine difference. Disability care workers provide much-needed support and assistance to people with disabilities, helping them to lead fuller, more independent lives while assisting in ongoing skills development.
There are a variety of different roles within the disability care sector, each with its own set of responsibilities and rewards. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the top career opportunities in disability care, detailing the job roles. We'll also touch on how to begin a career in disability care and the benefits of choosing this career path.
Let's delve right in!
1. Disability Support Worker
Disability support workers provide a wide range of services to people with disabilities. They may help with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and bathing, as well as providing transportation, accompanying clients to appointments, and provide respite care for families.
In order to be a successful disability support worker, you'll need to be compassionate and patient. Physical stamina is a major perk as some of your clients may require assistance with lifting or transferring. It's important that you're able to follow instructions carefully and work well as part of a team to ensure you're able to offer a more fulfilling quality of life to your client.
2. Community Worker
Community workers play an important role in supporting people who are marginalised or disadvantaged. They may work with refugees, indigenous communities, people with disabilities, or other groups at risk of social exclusion.
As a community worker, you'll be providing information and advice on services and entitlements. You may also be involved in community development projects or offer support during times of crisis.
To be successful in this role, you'll need excellent people skills and the ability to build relationships of trust. You should also be passionate about social justice and helping others. It's important that you have good problem-solving skills and the ability to think on your feet to deliver potentially life-changing person-centred service responses.
3. Family Support Worker
Family support workers provide practical and emotional assistance to families who are struggling to cope. They may work with families who have a child with a disability, families experiencing domestic violence, or families who are struggling with poverty or mental health issues.
Family support workers help families to access the services and support they need, such as respite care, counselling, or financial assistance. They may also provide practical assistance, such as helping with grocery shopping or providing transportation to appointments.
To be a successful developmental disability case manager, you'll need excellent communication, leadership skills, organisation, and problem-solving skills. You'll also need to be empathetic and patient, as some of your clients may have difficulty communicating their needs which is where you come in!
4. Community Worker
Community workers play an important role in supporting people who are marginalised or disadvantaged. They may work with refugees, indigenous communities, people with disabilities, or other groups at risk of social exclusion.
As a community worker, you'll be providing information and advice on services and entitlements. You may also be involved in community development projects or offer support during times of crisis.
To be successful in this role, you'll need excellent people skills and the ability to build relationships of trust. You should also be passionate about social justice and helping others. It's important that you have good problem-solving skills and the ability to think on your feet to deliver potentially life-changing person-centred service responses.
5. Family Support Worker
Family support workers provide practical and emotional assistance to families who are struggling to cope. They may work with families who have a child with a disability, families experiencing domestic violence, or families who are struggling with poverty or mental health issues.
Family support workers help families to access the services and support they need, such as respite care, counselling, or financial assistance. They may also provide practical assistance, such as helping with grocery shopping or providing transportation to appointments.
6. Developmental Disability Case Manager
As a developmental disability case manager, you work with people who have developmental disabilities, such as autism or intellectual disabilities. In most cases, a bachelor's degree is required. This could be in Psychology or Social Work, though depending on the environment you wish to work in (e.g. a government agency for the Department of Family Services), a focus in social work would be most appropriate. As a Developmental Disability Case Manager, you'll need to coordinate services and supports for your clients based on their individual behaviour, ensuring that they receive the care and assistance they need to live fulfilling lives.
A day in the life of a developmental disability case manager might involve:
- Meeting with clients and their families to assess needs and develop care plans
- Coordinating services and supports from different agencies
- Monitoring client progress and advocating on their behalf
- Providing information and advice to clients and their families through the likes of a behaviour support plan
- Liaising with other professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and speech therapists.
7. Residential Care Officer
Another career in disability care is working as a residential care officer in a group home or other type of assisted living facility. As a residential care officer, you'll be responsible for the safety and well-being of residents with disabilities offering direct supervision. You'll need to provide personal care, medication administration, and general assistance as needed.
Sometimes, residential care officers also work with families of residents to ensure that they're receiving the best possible care. This can involve coordinating with other service providers, such as therapists and nurses.
8. Rehabilitation Specialist
Rehabilitation specialists help people with disabilities to regain as much function and independence as possible. Further qualifications to become a fitness professional are required, such as a Diploma of Fitness. Rehabilitation Specialists work with patients who have suffered from injuries, strokes, or other conditions that have left them with impaired movement or function and take on a person-centred approach aiming to boost their way of life.
Rehabilitation specialists develop individualised treatment plans for their patients based on individual circumstances. Beyond the client, these specialists build relationships with carers such as patients' families to provide guidance and support. In addition, they may consult with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and occupational therapists.
How to Get Started With a Disability Support Career
Your Step 1 in getting started with a career in disability care is to complete a (CHC43115) Certificate IV In Disability with AHT. Learning the foundations of disability care, you'll help deliver positive outcomes for clients in the disability services industry and be equipped with the skills and knowledge to kickstart a rewarding career focused on nurturing the community sector.
The (CHC43115) Certificate IV In Disability covers a broad range of topics, including human rights, communication, autism spectrum disorder, and mental health conditions. You'll also learn how to provide personal care, administer medication, and complete other practical tasks.
For eligible students, upon completing the cert 4 disability support it's time for the practical experience! You'll be eligible to work in a variety of settings, including group homes, schools, hospitals, and community organisations. You can also use your qualification to pursue further study in areas like psychology, social work, or nursing.
Why Choose a Career in Disability Support?
Working in disability care can be extremely rewarding and open a door for fantastic employment opportunities. You'll have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and their families, helping them live richer life experiences. People with disabilities often face tough challenges. They may struggle to communicate, participate in activities they enjoy, or simply live independently. As a disability support worker, you'll help them overcome those challenges and lead fulfilling lives.
Beyond the empowerment of people, careers in disability care are also financially rewarding. The average salary for a disability support worker in Australia is $64,350 per year or $33 per hour. And, as the demand for disability services grows, so too will the need for qualified support workers, and you can expect the pay package to increase with time.
Ready to get started? Discover your student tuition fees immediately with our Instant Course Fee Calculator found here. If you're looking to begin your journey in disability care, apply now for your Certificate IV in Disability Support (CHC43115)!
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