Being a support worker can be a highly rewarding, yet demanding career. Every day you’re making a profound impact and positive difference to someone’s life. The skills of a support worker are crucial for the person under your care.
Effective communication, superior interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability and a high level of compassion and empathy are all good skills to have as a support worker.
These qualities of a support worker will strengthen your connection with clients, so you can build strong, long-term relationships and earn their trust. If you are attentive to their needs and understand what they want, they will feel seen and heard. Sometimes, it’s the little things that can go a long way to foster a good relationship – the subtle skills of a support worker, like making eye contact and using positive body language, to signify you’re acknowledging them.
People regularly change jobs and careers. Have you ever thought about what transferable skills you bring as a support worker? You’ll be surprised at how many you already have. Perhaps you’ve already worked in people-facing industries where you’ve developed relevant attributes such as being an active listener.
Qualities of a support worker you’ve forged from past experiences may not just come from an office environment or place of employment. Through volunteering, raising a family or a hobby, you will have gained personal attributes to help you transition to develop the skills of a support worker.
What qualities make a good support worker?
Empathy
Being empathic means understanding someone’s needs, expectations, and frustrations. When people feel heard and their emotions recognised, they develop higher levels of reassurance and trust. Mastering disability support worker skills will improve your ability to connect with people on a deeper level and build meaningful relationships.
For example, imagine your client feels overwhelmed because they are in a busy café with lots of people. By telling them you understand they don’t like being there because of the noise and crowds and moving somewhere quieter, you are demonstrating the fundamental qualities of a support worker. This simple acknowledgement, where you validate the client’s emotion, is often one of the skills of a support worker that comes naturally.
Reliability
Never underestimate the importance of being reliable. Reliability means being on time, at the right address and ready to start work when you’re expected. Your clients may have an appointment, an event, commitments or a schedule where they need your help. Being reliable is one of the most sought-after skills as a support worker.
This trait strengthens the bond with others because you’re doing what you promised you’d do. If you consider what transferable skill you bring as a support worker that people value, reliability ranks highly because it demonstrates dependability.
For a client, you are crucial to their life and are upholding an important role. This steadfast reliability coupled with the compassionate and attentive skills of a support worker, demonstrate a high level of dedication. These qualities of a support worker underpin the core of trust.
For instance, if you promise a client you’ll go swimming together and then fail to show up, it means they miss out on your companionship and opportunity for physical activity. As you gain skills as a support worker, you’ll see how reliability nurtures better relationships.
Understanding and applying disability support worker skills results in effective, compassionate care.
Being trustworthy
Being trustworthy is one of the qualities of a support worker who fosters a sense of security and respect with people who rely upon you. Trust is very important to a client, and while it can take a little while to earn, it’s fundamental to cultivating positive relationships.
Being a trusted support worker also extends to being relied upon to uphold client confidentiality. Clients have a right to privacy and need to know their personal information will not be shared with others. Respecting this right and maintaining discretion reflects integrity, which are much-valued skills of a support worker.
For example, if your client has an important medical appointment at a health centre they’ve never been to before, they may become worried in advance about getting there on time and finding their way around. However, if they have trust in you and you’ve shown all-encompassing qualities of a support worker, you’re providing much-needed reassurance.
Patience
Disability support worker skills include a deep understanding of the value of patience. The patience you practise in everyday life, such as waiting calmly in long lines and listening attentively to others, is a transferable skill you bring as a support worker. Patience will help you manage challenges dealing with someone’s individual needs. Finding solutions without developing stress or frustration is one of several skills of a support worker that lead to a better quality of care and a calmer environment.
Incorporate positive verbal and body language into any worker/client interaction. It reinforces openness. The skills of a support worker will evolve over time, and you will become both confident and competent in your interaction and communication.
People with disabilities often rely on visual cues. Smiling while maintaining a relaxed stance shows you are approachable. A gentle nodding of the head and an occasional gesture of warmth, such as touching someone’s arm can be comforting. Good eye contact helps to build connection and slow and gentle movement rather than sharp, sudden actions are far more soothing. You may already do this subconsciously, it’s a transferable skill you bring as a support worker that might come easy to you.
Mention their name in conversation and keep your language simple. Short sentences are easier for people to understand. If necessary, break things down step-by-step and repeat.
Being patient is a key element in helping a client get dressed. Through learned disability support worker skills, you’ll understand the benefits of encouraging them to get dressed themselves with minimal support. It may take some time. Offer them encouragement and ask them if they are comfortable and happy in the outfit. By showing patience, you are increasing that person’s confidence, boosting spirits and enhancing their emotional well-being. The skills of a support worker, including patience, are crucial in fostering such positive outcomes.
Positivity
Positivity is a valuable trait and one of the most critical skills of a support worker because it motivates clients and encourages them to achieve goals. A positive attitude is highly infectious, as it creates a ripple effect among others to boost morale, mood and energy.
Positive reframing, a technique that involves altering a person’s thoughts and beliefs, can help turn something a client may deem as a negative into something more positive and optimistic.
For instance, if a client is disappointed because they secured a low score in a ten-pin bowling game, this might lead them to believe they’re not good at sports activities. By emphasising that they did their best and by participating, they enjoyed a great social outing among friends. Emphasising the positives rather than focusing on any shortcomings reinforces core qualities of a support worker, ensuring clients feel valued, motivated and supported.
Active listening skills
Active listening means just that—paying attention, demonstrating you’re listening and reflecting, and then responding to what has been said. One of the most admirable skills of a support worker is the ability to listen without interrupting. It shows a greater level of respect to someone so they can express themselves the way they want.
Speak clearly and don’t rush, use words that can be easily understood. By adopting consistent and suitable communication you’ll make deeper connections with clients.
A transferable skill you bring as a support worker can be something as simple as active listening. It can greatly enhance your ability to engage with a client. For example, if a client tells you they enjoy a particular television show and they know all the characters, you can add this information into future conversations. It will mean the client feels heard and respected.
Becoming proficient in crucial disability support worker skills can leverage communication to improve relationships with clients.
Cultural competency
Australia is a country with a diverse and vibrant culture. Over a quarter of people living in Australia were born overseas. Many don’t speak English as their first language. For anyone working in care, embracing and respecting this diversity is crucial. The skills of a support worker extend beyond the basics, they must encompass the ability to engage with clients in a manner that acknowledges and respects their unique cultural backgrounds.
Disability support worker skills incorporate demonstrating cultural competency. This includes understanding and accommodating dietary restrictions based on religious beliefs and being aware of the family hierarchy and traditions that influence care preferences.
Online resources can help you have a better understanding of someone’s cultural background. Free, online courses, including ones by The National Centre for Cultural Competence are open to anyone.
Problem solving skills
The skills of a support worker also extend to problem solving and being adaptable. Thinking quickly and clearly are natural disability support worker skills to navigate unexpected situations.
For instance, if a client becomes agitated while planting seeds in a garden because of the dirt, the ability to adapt and provide solutions is paramount. In this case, offering reassurance and suggesting other alternatives. Perhaps they’d be more comfortable picking flowers or fruit. You’ve likely adopted this flexible approach in past experiences and it’s a transferable skill you bring as a support worker to tackle challenging situations.
Teamwork and collaboration
It’s good practice to be a team player and to master the art of collaboration – great teamwork skills of a support worker mean you can easily work alongside other care professionals.
A client often relies on a network of therapists, health professionals and other care workers for continuity of support. By harnessing the disability support worker skills of collaboration and cooperation, everyone is working towards shared goals. These fundamental qualities of a support worker and a willingness to work and collaborate with others will enhance a client’s care.
For example, if multiple health professionals are involved in a person’s care, they should be aware of each person’s role and how each contributes to the client’s overall health and well-being.
This coordination, the gathering and sharing of information, will have positive benefits for your client. You can help support them with their goals with daily activities and feedback information to other health professionals as to how they’re doing.
Self-care
Being a support worker is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. However, it comes with its own sets of demands and stresses.
The skills of a support worker are not just about managing the needs of people, but also about maintaining your own well-being. Implementing self-care strategies is an important aspect of disability support worker skills that can help prevent burnout to manage stress successfully.
As such, ensure you have a robust support network who you can talk to outside of work and share experiences and receive encouragement. Allow yourself time to relax and unwind. Engaging in nature and practising breathing exercises can go a long way to reducing tension and stress. In addition, incorporating physical activity into your day can lift your mood, boost self-esteem and improve sleep.
If you integrate these self-care practices into your routine, you uphold the essential skills and qualities of a support worker to remain resilient and offer the highest level of care.
What else makes a good support worker?
Qualifications
While formal qualifications aren’t always necessary to become a support worker, many general skills of a support worker are acquired through everyday life, such as basic first-aid knowledge or the ability to assist someone with mobility issues. Disability support worker skills often develop in a natural, organic way.
Some advanced support worker roles may require additional skills. For instance, individuals with disabilities use assistive technology, so strong IT, software and computer knowledge can be beneficial.
Specialised qualifications can open more doors to other opportunities, and to participate in advanced support work. Recognised qualifications such as those offered by NDIS in Aged Care, Disabilities and Individual Support will give you recognised credentials to enhance the existing qualities of a support worker.
Pursuing a nursing or allied health therapy degree demonstrates an advanced study level so you can offer more complex caregiving needs and pursue career advancement. Recognised qualifications on top of the skills of a support worker could make you more employable.
Although you don’t need a formal qualification to work as a support worker, it is a role that needs certain qualities and some basic skills you can draw on, such as being able to assess individual care needs, provide physical care, have basic life support skills, etc.
If you work as an independent support worker through Mable, you can provide social support and domestic assistance, as these don’t require you to have formal qualifications, and are highly demanded by clients on the Mable platform. For more complex support, you will require a relevant vocational qualification.
Learn more about the qualifications you can gain to become a support worker, whether it’s in aged care or disability.
Experience and volunteering
It’s true you don’t need to have vast experience to be a support worker. For many people, disability support worker skills can be easily and quickly acquired. Most people have some skills to provide this support, often brought to the role through past experiences. It’s easy to overlook a basic transferable skill you bring as a support worker, but we acquire them in everyday life through other interactions.
Most not-for-profit, disability and aged care organisations rely on volunteers. If you are thinking of pursuing a career in this area and appreciate the varied qualities of a support worker, volunteering is an excellent way of gaining experience and understanding the diverse nature of the job.
It’s an opportunity to improve your abilities, allowing you to recognise your own individual strengths and specific disability support worker skills that may be required.
Volunteering in aged care or disability centres, will go a long way to develop your potential to acquire the skills of a support worker. You will also build new connections to enhance job prospects.
GoVolunteer is a national database of volunteering opportunities set up by Volunteering Australia, and is a great resource to find relevant volunteer positions.
Registering on Mable to become an independent support worker can be a step forward in the right direction. Mable allows you to provide various services such as cleaning, gardening, personal care, social and community participation as well as assisting clients develop their skills, abilities and confidence. Some of these services don’t need you to have experience making it an accessible option for newcomers looking to learn more about care roles and qualities of a support worker.
FAQs
What do you do as an aged care or disability support worker?
Support workers provide support to people with disabilities and can work in people’s homes, in specialised care settings or in hospitals on a full time, part time or casual basis, depending on the needs of the client. Aged care and disability support workers also provide support with implementing nursing, personal care, speech therapy, psychology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy services.
How do I become a support worker on Mable?
To become an independent support worker on Mable, you will need:
- An Australian Business Number (ABN)
- A profile photo
- A brief bio for your profile
- A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History check through our partners, Checked Australia*
- Two professional or character references
- Two references
- A Working with Children Check (if working with children)
- To meet your state and/or territory’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements
- Completed infection control training.
* The criminal history check must be completed through the link provided by Mable. This ensures that the check covers the type of work that you will be conducting via the Mable platform.
Read this detailed guide on becoming a support worker on Mable. For more information, explore our frequently asked questions.
