Support Worker – Children & Young People

Organisation: Cosmic Care Pty Ltd
Location: Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter Region, NSW
Employment type: Casual (regular hours available) — flexibility for afternoons/evenings, weekends (day shifts), and sleepovers.

About Us

Our mission is to provide an unparalleled, participant-focused experience that supports independence, personal growth, and exceeds the expectations of participants, families, employees, and the broader community.

With a dedicated focus on individuals who are non-verbal and living with autism and intellectual disabilities, our personalised services span Newcastle, the Hunter, and Lake Macquarie areas, ensuring those we serve always receive the best possible support.

The Opportunity

We’re seeking passionate Support Workers (SCHADS Level 2) to provide safe, person‑centred, trauma‑informed support to children and young people across home and community settings. You’ll uphold rights, dignity and inclusion, reduce and eliminate restrictive practices, and work closely with families, colleagues and external professionals. This is a casual role with regular hours available; we especially welcome availability for weekend day shifts and weekday sleepovers.

Key Responsibilities

Deliver Person‑Centred Active Support that builds skills and independence; use preferred communication (AAC/visuals/gestures) and follow plans.

Assist with daily living (personal care, mealtime management per plan, domestic tasks), transport, community access and social connection.

Apply recovery‑focused, trauma‑informed approaches; promote hope, empowerment and agency.

Implement authorised Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs); use any regulated restrictive practice only as a last resort, proportionately, for the shortest time, and only when authorised.

Never use prohibited/high‑risk techniques (e.g., basket holds, prone/supine restraint, pin‑downs, takedowns, pressure to chest/joints, degrading/aversive practices). Incidents are reported and remediated.

Complete accurate and timely documentation (shift notes, medication records, incident reports) in approved systems; escalate risks and incidents promptly.

Follow WHS controls and safe manual‑handling practices; participate in handovers, supervision and team meetings.

About You

You’re reliable, empathetic and values‑driven, with strong communication (including non‑verbal/AAC) and teamwork skills. You’re committed to rights‑based, person‑centred practice and accurate documentation. A Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) or equivalent is ideal.

Nice to have: Experience with autism/intelectual disability, non-verbal communication, de‑escalation skills, basic tech/app troubleshooting, or CALD experience.

Inherent Requirements (Physical, Emotional & Compliance)

Physical capabilities

Safe manual handling: Assist with transfers, mobility, and personal care using correct techniques; lift/carry up to ~15 kg and push/pull clients’ bodyweight using supplied equipment (e.g., wheelchairs/hoists) per individual plans and limits. Where a physical restraint is authorised within a client’s behaviour support plan, you may be required to perform the restraint using trained techniques, maintaining correct posture and body mechanics at all times to ensure worker and client safety.

Functional mobility & responsiveness: Sustain periods of standing/walking/sitting; regularly bend/squat/reach; respond quickly in time‑critical situations (including short bursts of jogging if needed).

Environmental adaptability: Work safely in homes and community settings; manage exposure to noise, pets, bodily fluids, allergens and cleaning chemicals per safety protocols.

Safety & compliance

WHS: Apply the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), Codes of Practice and organisational policies; identify/report hazards; use required PPE.

Vehicle & driving safety: Regular travel between client homes, community venues and organisational events within the service region (e.g., Lake Macquarie, Hunter, Newcastle). Staff must maintain a valid driver’s licence and access to a reliable, roadworthy vehicle suitable for client transport where required. Work travel in a private vehicle is reimbursed at the prescribed per‑km rate (currently $0.99/km, Oct 2025) plus reasonable tolls/parking.

Technology proficiency

Use phones/tablets/computers for rosters, communication, incident reporting and progress notes in approved apps/systems. When remote response is required, a work device is provided.

Emotional & interpersonal capabilities

Emotional resilience & de‑escalation: Remain calm/professional during distress or crisis; use de‑escalation that prioritises safety and dignity.

Positive Behaviour Support: Implement authorised BSP strategies; use least‑restrictive practice only as a last resort and only if authorised and trained/competent to do so. Certain techniques are explicitly prohibited at Cosmic Care.

Professional conduct & self‑care: Maintain boundaries; participate in supervision, debriefs and training; practise self‑care to sustain safe, high‑quality work.

Work availability

Demonstrate availability across a flexible 24/7 roster as required (mornings/afternoons/evenings, weekends/public holidays and sleepovers).

Health assessment (post‑offer)

Any health/capability assessment occurs after a conditional offer, is limited to confirming you can perform inherent requirements (with reasonable adjustments), and complies with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Privacy Act 1988.

Mandatory Credentials (before unsupervised work)

NDIS Worker Screening Check (NSW) — current/maintained

Working With Children Check (WWCC) — required whenever duties involve people under 18

100 points of ID

Current NSW Driver Licence (where rostered to drive)

Training & Experience (minimum requirements)

NDIS Worker Orientation — “Quality, Safety and You”

Infection prevention & control; HLTAID011 Provide First Aid (current CPR)

Child‑safe practice; hazardous manual tasks & hoists (competency‑based)

Medication assistance (if delegated); mealtime management (if applicable)

Report writing & incident management

Positive Behaviour Support & restrictive practices (implementing BSPs); de‑escalation & zero‑violence principles

Person‑Centred Active Support; trauma‑informed and recovery‑oriented practice

Employment Conditions & Benefits (SCHADS Award – Level 2)

Award coverage & classification: SCHADS Award (SACS stream), Level 2. Correct loadings/penalties apply.

Pay & penalties: Competitive casual hourly rate with 25% casual loading, plus applicable evening/weekend/public holiday penalties and allowances per the Award.

Minimum engagement: 2 hours per shift; broken‑shift allowance where applicable.

Sleepovers: Paid sleepover allowance; any awake work paid at the appropriate rate.

Right to disconnect: Outside agreed on‑call periods, you’re not required to monitor/respond to work communications.

Travel time & vehicle use: Time between consecutive participant locations in a shift is paid time. Private‑vehicle use reimbursed at $0.99/km (Oct 2025) plus reasonable tolls/parking.

Leave & conversion: NES & Award entitlements for PT/FT. Casuals may request conversion after 12 months (Employee Choice Pathway, 26 Feb 2025).

Our Commitment to Merit, Fairness, Equality

We are committed to fostering an environment where merit, fairness, and equality are the cornerstones of all decisions and actions. Merit‑based selection applies to all hiring decisions.

Child Safety

The protection of children and young people is a cornerstone in safeguarding and improving the lives of children and young people with a disability. While providing supports and services under the NDIS, workers are uniquely placed to identify and respond to the needs and vulnerabilities of children or young people with a disability.

Everyone has a responsibility to protect the wellbeing and safety of children or young people whom they have contact, and report any case a child or young person is suspected to be at risk of significant harm.

Our organisation is committed to ensuring our practice is complaint with all relevant legislation for our state, as well as national legislation and regulations, including the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations

Need More Information?

Visit our website below:

Website: https://www.cosmiccare.com.au/