Learn how to provide effective support to NDIS clients at our Foundations of Support Work event!

Support Work 101 and Mental Health 101

We are beyond excited to have you join us for this insightful and empowering event, designed to provide essential knowledge, skills, and perspectives for support workers at all levels. Whether you're stepping into the field for the first time or looking to enhance your practice, Foundations of Support Work is your gateway to understanding the complexities, challenges, and rewards of being a support worker.

At the heart of this event are your incredible hosts, Jane Armstrong (They/Them) from The Armstrong Agency and Michele Wragg (They/Them) from Born Awesome 4 Life—a powerhouse duo whose combined experience, knowledge, and lived expertise make this event truly special.

Meet Your Hosts

Jane Armstrong

With over 30 years of experience as a senior registered nurse, Jane has dedicated their career to mental health, education, and community support. From lecturing at Murdoch and Curtin Universities to hands-on project work in mental health, Jane brings an unparalleled depth of knowledge to the table. Their dedication has been recognized with multiple awards, including Community Citizen of the Year 2023 and the RPH Donna Coutts-Smith Excellence in Leadership Award 2022. As a carer for their wife with mental health challenges, Jane brings both professional and personal insight into the importance of compassionate and effective support.

(Fun fact: Jane loves an espresso martini (or two!) and has been known to break out into interpretive dance at unexpected moments! 😝)

Michele Wragg

With nearly 30 years in the disability sector, Michele has worked extensively in both professional and lived-experience capacities. Their passion lies in helping individuals overcome life’s obstacles through direct support, program facilitation, and empowerment-based approaches. Having personally navigated a spinal injury (Cauda Equina) that required them to relearn how to walk, as well as managing a chronic illness, Michele deeply understands both sides of the support dynamic—what it takes to provide effective care and what it means to receive it. Their expertise and resilience make them an invaluable guide in the world of support work.

Together, Jane and Michele bring a unique blend of experience, wisdom, and practical tools to help you grow in your role as a support worker. They have crafted this event to provide you with essential skills and create a space where learning is engaging, meaningful, and empowering.

So, get ready for an incredible journey into the world of support work. Welcome to Foundations of Support Work—let’s learn, connect, and make a difference!

Day One

Support Worker 101

The Role of a Support Worker

Duties and Responsibilities: The course emphasises the key role of support workers in NDIS settings, including building rapport, offering emotional support, helping with daily tasks, encouraging recovery and independence, and modeling behaviours.

Person-Centered Care: How to offer care tailored to each individual’s unique needs, respecting their dignity, preferences, and choices. Dignity of Risk. Choice and Control. Duty of care.

Practical Skills for Support Work

Supporting Recovery: Providing encouragement, motivation, and resources for individuals in their recovery journey.

Personal Care Assistance: Training on how to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) for those whose mental health impacts their ability to perform these tasks.

Maintaining Boundaries: How to establish and maintain professional boundaries to protect both the support worker and the individual receiving care. Friend or Support worker?

Collaboration with Other Professionals

Interdisciplinary Approach: How support workers work alongside mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and family members, to provide holistic care.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Self-Care for Support Workers: Techniques for managing stress, preventing burnout, and maintaining emotional health when working with individuals facing mental health challenges.

Supervision and Peer Support: The importance of having a supportive team environment where workers can debrief and receive guidance.

Managing the introductory interview (questions to ask, what is the risk profile etc) Service agreements, consent and/or non consent. Documentation/note writing.

Day Two

Mental Health 101

Introduction to Mental Health

Mental Health Basics: Understanding mental health, common conditions such as CPTSD, BPD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, and how they affect individuals' daily lives.

Stigma and Mental Health: Addressing misconceptions, stereotypes, and the importance of reducing stigma to create an inclusive environment.

Communication Skills

Active Listening: Techniques for listening attentively to individuals in distress, validating their emotions, and ensuring they feel heard.

Non-Verbal Communication: Understanding body language, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues that contribute to effective communication.

De-Escalation Techniques: Practical methods for calming heightened emotions and diffusing conflict in a sensitive and respectful manner.

Mental Health Conditions and Symptoms

Identifying Symptoms: Training on how to recognise signs of mental health crises and understanding the warning signs of common mental health disorders.

Managing Crises: What to do in emergencies, including safety protocols and when to seek professional assistance, such as calling for psychiatric or emergency help.

Multi-system disorder.

Managing the client with psychosocial issues

Legal and Ethical Issues

Confidentiality and Privacy: Understanding confidentiality laws and how to handle sensitive information about clients.

Safeguarding: Recognizing and reporting abuse or neglect and understanding the duty of care towards vulnerable individuals.

Join Us for Foundations of Support Work – A Two-Day Training Event!

Get ready for an immersive and informative two-day training designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge for an insightful look into support work. Foundations of Support Work covers key principles, practical strategies, and real-world insights to help you provide effective and compassionate care.

Enjoy a comprehensive guidebook to support your learning throughout the event, along with delicious morning/ afternoon teas and lunches provided each day—because great learning is even better with great food!

Whether you're new to the field or looking to enhance your skills, this training offers a supportive and engaging environment to build your confidence and expertise.