After changing careers from the Hospitality sector to NDIS disability support work Sally found her passion!
Hearth support worker Sally shares her thoughts on support work
After changing careers, Hearth Support Worker Sally found what she considers to be the best job! Sally spent 5 years working in the Hospitality sector, but it wasn’t until she took up NDIS disability support work that she found a job she was passionate about. We interviewed Sally to get a deeper understanding about her passion, support work. Here’s what she had to say.
Do you enjoy being a support worker?
As soon as I started working in disability, I just knew that’s it I’m not going anywhere else I’ve spent five years in hospitality before I loved it was great, but it just wasn’t what I was passionate about’
I believe it’s probably the best position to have you just get to meet so many new people and you come to realize how amazing they really can be.
Do you need experience to be a support worker?
We do take in a lot of people that have no experience in disability and are willing to learn and have a passion to learn about it. I would say just go for it! Hearth is very supportive in making sure that they train you properly and that you know what you’re doing.
Is being a support worker difficult?
I wish people knew it’s not as scary as it seems. It’s not as daunting as it seems, it’s actually an amazing industry to join as long as you’re willing to learn and you’re willing to stay positive and happy about the job, you honestly have no issues.
Are you studying a Certificate IV Disability?
I’m actually doing my Certificate IV in disability at the moment. Before that I’ve worked at one other support services company prior to joining Hearth. I found Hearth to be a far more supportive and accommodating company.
Would you recommend support work to your friends?
I’ve actually had multiple friends who want to change careers as they’re not very happy just being stuck in an office or desk job. They would like to be more hands-on with the community and for the ones that really do enjoy helping others I always suggest support work. Support work is such a satisfying job as well as being able to help others achieve things that they normally wouldn’t be able to.
Is there opportunity to develop your skills?
I have personally progressed really far with my skills and what I’ve learned. I can say for sure now that I know my seizure management, medication management, suctioning and PEG feeding which I wouldn’t have known at my previous company at all.
How would you describe working at Hearth?
Compared to a lot of other jobs that I’ve had in the past the managers here are actually really supportive and really accommodating and they actually care about the participants and the workers. A lot more than I’ve seen in the past, it honestly makes me feel like I’m part of a family here and it’s actually worth doing my job and it doesn’t really feel like a job anymore it just feels like I’m having fun sometimes.
What are your thoughts on support worker shortage?
The fact that we actually have millions of people with disabilities in Australia, and the fact that it’s so stigmatized. We don’t have enough workers in this industry, and we really really need more people to come help because it’s getting to the point where a lot of us are inundated with work. There’s only so much that you can do as one person as much as you want to be able to help everyone, we really owe it to them to actually be able to live their best life!
Are you thinking of changing careers? We’re hiring Support Workers!
Based on our 5 years of experience we believe up-front qualifications and or experience are welcome but not essential the right human connection is essential.
We believe changing careers and becoming a support worker is relatively simple. Once the relationship and match has been established between a Participant and Support Worker, we then coordinate the training to equip the Support Worker/s with the necessary training to correctly support the Participant.
If you would like to find out more information on Hearth career opportunities, please click here https://www.hearthaustralia.com.au/careers/
