The Disability Support Worker
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Chapter 3
Work effectively with people with a disability
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Models of disability Medical model Social model
Personal problem Social problem
Individual treatment Need for social action
Dominance by professionals Responsibility shared by individual and everyone else in society
Medical control Self -determination
Care Rights
Control Choice and decision making
Prejudice and bias Rights and responsibility
Individual needing to adjust Society needing to change
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Developmental disabilityDevelopmental disabilities mostly result from
damage:
Before birth at the prenatal stage
Around birth (perinatal)
Neonatal and post natal
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Acquired disabilityPeople may also acquire a disability as a result of an accident, disease
or during the process of ageing.
Examples include:
Neurological impairment such as paraplegia and quadriplegia from a diving accident
Acquired brain injury from a car accident
Psychiatric illness from a post traumatic disorder from war service
Dementia including Alzheimer’s disease as an age related condition
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Loss and grief issues
When an individual acquires a disability through injury or illness, which subsequently has a significant effect on their lifestyle, they go through a period of loss and grief for which they may require support
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Loss and grief issues According to Worden 1991 there are four stages of grieving and the
stages are:
(1) Acceptance of the reality of loss
(2) Working through the pain
(3) Adjusting to the environment
(4) Moving on
You should assist clients at each stage of the grieving process
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Loss and grief issues Encourage people to talk in detail about acquiring the disability as it helps to accept
the reality of the loss
Encourage people to express their emotional feelings Encourage people to strengthen existing relationships and to develop new
relationships Take note of any maladaptive ways of coping, such as excessive alcohol consumption
or smoking and seek specialist assistance
Be prepared to actively listen and to show genuine concern and avoid bland reassurance which is not helpful
Be aware of the physical symptoms that are a feature of normal grief, but do not disregard the possibility of physical illness
Speak to your supervisor and refer to help if required
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Issues in meeting individual needs and goals You should use your interpersonal and communication
skills to meet the individual needs and goals of people.
One of the most important factors in meeting individual needs and goals is a positive attitude
Your positive attitude should relate to providing support to maximise independence and opportunities for inclusion
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Family Support Family and friends are often involved in providing
personal care and/or support to an individual with a disability.
It is very important to ensure that families are well supported so that they can continue to provide this assistance
There are many different types of support that is available to families e.g. Respite care, support groups, counselling, home alterations and modifications
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Policy, standards and laws The move away from an over-reliance on a medical
model towards a social model has resulted in governments legislating to remove obstacles to enable people with a disability to participate in society
The context for the work that occurs in the sector relates to areas including:
the Disability Services Act 1986 the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Disability Service Standards in each state
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Commitment to access and equity principles As a disability worker your work involves strategies to
remove barriers to enable people with a disability to participate in society.
Aim is to maximise access to valued opportunities and valued roles accepted in mainstream society.
Your role should therefore be reflective of the aims of the social model of disability in terms of empowering people with a disability to pursue their goals and ambitions
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Strategies to exercise rights and independence Assist people to exercise their rights and independence whilst
balancing any risks involved with reasonable measures
Get to know clients and using your intuition to introduce new experiences and to discover rights that really matter to individuals
Don’t be too rigid and if necessary adapt to changes in circumstances in the interests of enabling people with a disability to exercise their rights and independence
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Strategies to exercise rights and independence
Consult with your co-workers and your supervisor where you are unsure of how to assist individuals to exercise their rights and responsibilities
This is particularly important where you are balancing dignity of risk with the need to ensure duty of care to those you support.
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Strategies to exercise rights and independenceLook for opportunities to provide new
experiences
Encourage contact with other people and networking
Directly empower people by involving them in decisions
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Ensuring client requirements are acknowledged You should develop strategies that aim to maximise independence, to
enable choices to be made and to provide for the rights and interests of clients
This requires that you take into account factors, which relate to each
individual
These factors include:
Individual needs An individual’s dreams, goals and interests An individual’s strengths skills and talents Support already available including family, financial, physical, emotional and
behavioural, employment, education and training. Individual and cultural diversity attitudes and values
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Reporting situations which pose a health risk or safety concernsYou should always be alert to any issues in the
overall environment that impact on health and safety for people with a disability, co-workers and members of the general public.
Aim is to eliminate or reduce any risks, by observing any unsafe situations and reporting your concerns in accordance with organisational procedures
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Reporting situations which pose a health risk or safety concernsYou need to be aware that you are working with
the most vulnerable people in our society
You should be actively involved in responding to situations of risk or potential risk and report to appropriate people
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Supporting individuals in responding to situations of risk Establish rapport so that you are able to help in minimising threats
to health and safety.
Be prepared to listen and to directly follow up on any personal health and safety issues that are raised.
Use your observation skills to make sure you are 'tuned in' to any changes in demeanour, which may alert you to any concerns.
Empower people to take more control over situations and to minimise risks
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Supporting individuals in responding to situations of risk Where required provide formal training to identify and
respond to risk as a part of living skills.
Intervene and be prepared to protect people who are placed in a position of risk because of the actions of others.
Consult with others and be prepared to seek advice from your co-workers and supervisors on your concerns and on actions which you are considering.
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM
Different areas of disability work in the sector
Community development
Education and training
Health promotion
Case management
Person Centred Planning
Behaviour management
Working with families
Peer support/self help
Advocacy
Home based support
Employment support
Lifestyle support
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