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Anonymous asked: I want to become a disability worker but I have no idea how to start or what training I need to do

Getting your foot in the door with an organisation to commence work as a disability support worker is not as hard as it may seem. I have interviewed so many people who have not had any formal training however provided great responses to questions around how they would practically support someone. Their answers may have stemmed from a previous role where their skills were transferable or they may have had a caring role they held in their family, community or friendship circle. Some people I have interviewed have not had any experience but displayed a genuine and passionate desire to work in this industry.

The great thing is that organisations are really keen to meet people who are enthusiastic about joining their organisation and supporting people living with disability to have valued roles in the community. Organisations recognise that some people entering the workforce will be starting from scratch, so they have great on-the-job training opportunities. Many organisations even offer traineeships so that formal qualifications can be gained whilst you are earning an income and with the support of the organisation.

If someone approached me and asked me how they could get work as a support worker I would encourage them to shop around. There are so many great organisations in the sector now, it is so important to find an organisation where your personal values are aligned with the organisation’s core values. Something else I would encourage someone to do who has an interest in the sector would be ‘try before you buy’. Contact the organisations you are interested in and ask them if you could spend a few days working alongside a team member to see what the job is really like. It will even give you an idea of how the company supports its staff and whether you think you will get the support you might need moving into a new field of work. If you are already working full time during the week, you could volunteer on a Saturday or Sunday for a few hours. Working in the disability sector can be pretty flexible.

Of course there are certain skills and personality traits that make a good support worker. For example, good communication skills, reliability, honesty, a sense of responsibility and a respect for difference. But something I have always believed is that great support workers are people who share the same interests as the person they are supporting, they are always looking for opportunities where the person they are supporting can connect with and form friendships with people in their community, and they are someone who is focused on finding ways that will better support a person to have an ordinary good life.

If you are interested in becoming a disability support worker, have a browse through the carecareers website, look in the Employer Directory and narrow down some organisations you are drawn to and make a few calls.

Read more about training and qualifications in the disability and community care sector.