Support Worker Role

Title:

1. CSI Approved Support Worker:
A Support Worker who has undertaken the complete validation process, including:

• National Criminal Record Check;

• Interview;

• Reference Checks;

• Attend an Information Session;

• Compulsory Senior First Aid certificate

Or
2. Nominated Support Worker:
A Support Worker who has been nominated by a Consumer or an Agency, to provide a service to one specific Consumer only.

Nominated Support Workers must undergo a:

• National Criminal Record Check;

• Compulsory Senior First Aid certificate

3. Casual Community Support Worker Employee (Personal Care)

• Certificate III in Community Services (Disability, Aged, HACC or Mental Health);

• Senior First Aid Certificate;

• be prepared to undergo a Police Check;

• Attend an Information Session;

• a current driver’s licence;

• a reliable vehicle.

---

Role

The role of a Support Worker is to provide services to people with a disability to assist them to maintain their independence at home and in the community and prevent premature admission to long term residential care.

It is a very valuable role, assisting people with the tasks of daily living, which most of us take for granted.

---

What is the difference between a Self Employed Contractor and a Casual Community Support Worker Employee?

Community Support Incorporated recruits independent self employed Contractors to provide basic support to consumers, and also hires high calibre professional staff to provide both basic and complex support services. Casual Community Support Employees must have the following qualifications: Certificate III or equivalent in Disability Work or Aged Care, a current Senior First Aid Certificate, a current Driver's Licence and a current National Police Check.

---

Types of Support Provided

Support Workers may be engaged to provide any of the following support to Consumers:

• Personal Care
• Respite Care
• Domestic Assistance
• Home and Garden Maintenance
• Social Support
• Shopping Assistance
• Training in Living Skills
• Transport
• Social Development
  
• or a similar combination of assistance
  

Who Receives Support

People under the age of 65 years living in their own home or in the community, who have an intellectual disability, mental illness, acquired brain injury, autism spectrum disorder, sensory impairment or physical and neurological disability.

Community Support Incorporated does not determine the level or type of support service to be made available to Consumers. This is determined by Designated Specialist Agencies, through a Case Manager or Community Liaison Worker, in consultation with the Consumer.

---

Support Worker Responsibilities

As a self-employed Support Worker, there are various important responsibilities, including:

• Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare;
• Duty of care;
• Mandatory reporting;
• Acquisition of an Australian Business Number;
• Taxation and insurance.

On registration as a Support Worker, CSI can provide information on, and assistance with, all of the above.

---

Benefits of working as a Casual Employee under the Disability Services Award

Opportunity to work close to home
We place our Casual Community Support Workers in services close to where they reside. This maximises the opportunity to balance work and family commitments.

Flexible hours
We appreciate that balancing work and family commitments can be quite a challenge and therefore negotiate hours to suit both your family and our consumer needs.

Generous leave entitlements
Our employees are employed under the Disability Services (SA) Award.

Superannuation
Superannuation is paid in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.

---

What Travel is Involved?

As far as possible Support Workers are matched to Consumers in or close to the area where they live. Due consideration is also given to the time Support Workers nominate that they will travel.

---

When Does Work Commence?

Following a Request for Service from one of the Designated Specialist Agencies (DSA), CSI matches Support Worker skills and experience to the individual support needs of the Consumer and contacts the Support Worker with an offer of work.

The Support Worker then contacts the Consumer's Case Worker and the Consumer for more details, reporting back to CSI. If the support is to proceed, CSI creates a Consumer Service Agreement, outlining support details, rates of pay, hours and times to be worked, start and end dates, as requested by the DSA.

By giving CSI some notice, back-up can be provided for Support Workers to take leave.

Either party can end an Agreement at any time, by notifying the other in writing.

---

How Do Support Workers Get Paid?

Self-employed Support Workers submit a claim for payment on the prescribed Community Support Incorporated invoice form and in accordance with the Consumer Service Agreement. Consumers (or their family or Carers) sign the Support Worker invoice to ensure the services claimed have been provided.

Casual Employees receive a roster and are paid in accordance with the Consumer Service Agreement.

It is the Support Worker's responsibility to correctly complete, distribute and lodge invoices and time sheets for payment. CSI strives to pay invoices promptly.

---

What does it cost to receive a service from CSI?

We know that we charge less than other providers for comparable services. Our services represent value for money without compromising the quality of care provided to our consumers. Being not for profit helps us keep our rates as low as possible.

---

Community Support Incorporated is a not-for-profit quality organisation offering a variety of services throughout the Adelaide metropolitan area and rural centres of South Australia.