Community Support Worker

Community Worker

Foundation for Independence Recreation & Social Training Inc (FIRST)

Full-time, Permanent | Logan area, QLD | $76,000- $77,000

About FIRST

FIRST (Foundation for Independence Recreation & Social Training Inc) is a grassroots, member-driven, not-for-profit and registered NDIS provider with more than 35 years of experience supporting people with disability across Logan and the Gold Coast. From three purpose-built centres in Loganholme, Eagleby and Upper Coomera, we design and deliver community-based development programs, skill-building activities and social-training experiences — including the arts, music and multimedia, woodwork and furniture restoration, community gardening, living-skills training, and sport and recreation partnerships — that build independence, capability and genuine community participation.

About the Role

We are seeking a Community Worker to plan, develop, coordinate and deliver community-development and capacity-building programs that help our members participate fully in community life. This is not a task-based personal-care position. The focus is on assessing member and community needs, designing and implementing structured skill-development and social-training programs, connecting members to community resources and external services, and building partnerships across community groups, agencies and government bodies. You will work with a high degree of autonomy and professional judgement within FIRST’s frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

·Assess members’ needs, interests and goals, and plan, develop and implement individualised educational, training and capacity-building programs aligned to their NDIS goals.

·Design, coordinate and facilitate centre-based and community-based development programs that promote independence, inclusion and community participation.

·Interview members and assess the nature and extent of barriers to participation, developing strategies and support plans to address them.

·Monitor, evaluate and report on member progress and program outcomes, maintaining accurate case notes, progress reports and documentation in line with NDIS Practice Standards.

·Refer members to other agencies, allied-health professionals and community services that can provide additional support, and coordinate continuity of care.

·Assess community needs and resources, and identify, develop and strengthen community access opportunities, partnerships and services for members.

·Liaise with community groups, welfare and disability agencies, government bodies, families and local businesses on member and community matters, and promote awareness of available community resources and services.

·Support members to build the skills and confidence to make informed decisions, exercise choice and live as independently as possible within their community.

·Contribute to program planning, service improvement, funding submissions and reporting requirements, and organisational compliance under the NDIS Quality & Safeguards Framework.

·Provide guidance and mentoring to less-experienced staff and volunteers, and work both autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

·Uphold members’ rights, dignity, privacy, cultural inclusion and confidentiality at all times. Incidental personal-care or manual-handling assistance may occasionally be required to support a member to participate, but is not the primary function of this role.

Skills & Experience

1.Highly relevant qualifications or at least two years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal qualifications.

2.Demonstrated experience planning, developing and delivering community, educational or capacity-building programs, ideally within the disability or community-services sector.

3.Strong assessment, program-planning, coordination and report-writing skills.

4.Proven ability to build relationships and liaise with members, families, community groups, agencies and government bodies.

5.Excellent verbal and written communication skills, sound judgement, initiative and problem-solving ability.

6.Knowledge of the NDIS sector, Practice Standards and the Quality & Safeguards Framework (or the ability to acquire it).

7.Current Queensland driver’s licence and access to a comprehensively insured vehicle for transporting members to community activities.

8.Current Blue Card and First Aid certification

Why Join FIRST

You will help people with disability connect, grow and participate meaningfully in their community, as part of a values-driven, member-focused team with a 35-year track record of excellence in disability support and training.