Behaviour Support Practitioner

Chrysalis Therapeutic Support Services is a registered NDIS Provider specialising in Behaviour and Therapeutic Supports. We are dedicated to ensuring children and adults with a disability have a greater choice, control, and freedom. We work hard to make sure everyone we support for individuals with disabilities, their families and support teams, from childhood through to adulthood. Our goal: to ensure that all of the people we provide services to experience a better quality of life, more independence and self-efficacy.

Behaviour Support Clinicians play an integral role in the success of our services and the achievement of our mission and organisational objectives. They recognise the right of people with disabilities to inclusion, participation and self-determination. Their professional and personal values align with those Chrysalis Therapeutic Support Services and this is demonstrated in their approach to their work on a daily basis.

Behaviour Support Clinicians communicate in a professional manner, which enhances the core value of Chrysalis. Behaviour Support Clinicians take responsibilities for a timely provision of advice and assistance and build long term effective working relationships with participants and their supporters.

Key communications internal to Chrysalis include staff; customers, Practice Manager, Support Coordinators and the Clinical Director.

External communications include: Customers, families, networks/other specialists in the field, NDIS, Local area coordinators, Support Coordinators, government agencies and other relevant agencies.

Primary Objectives

  • To assist individuals and their families to identify their needs through assessment and individual planning, to develop meaningful goals and practical strategies to meet their goals in their home and the community.

  • To work in collaboration with other allied health practitioners to form multi/trans-disciplinary model to provide a holistic and integrated approach to supports.

  • To provide clinical guidance to individuals, families and support staff.

  • To supervise the implementation of Behaviour Support products.

Key Accountabilities

  • Develop and implement individually designed customer related support plans within specified timeframes.

  • Evaluate behaviour supports relating to the individual’s needs in line with relevant legislative and ethical requirements.

  • Implement and review training and support plans for customers, support staff, families and carers in positive behaviour support.

  • Independently apply advanced clinical reasoning skills.

  • Employ the principals of evidence-based practice to all service delivery.

  • Provide support which reflects the Disability Services Standards, child safety, NDIS and other relevant legislative requirements and to report any potential breaches to Chrysalis Director.

  • Actively promote Chrysalis vision, mission, values and strategies in everyday work and in the community.

  • Follow and implement Work Health and Safety guidelines and instructions.

  • Undertake administrative tasks necessary for the role incluing maintaining appropriate documentation and systems to safeguard the wellbeing of the customers supported.

  • Work positively and collaboratively as a member of the Chrysalis team, respect team values and participate in learning and developing opportunities.

  • Supervise and train assistants, students and less experienced staff when assigned, ensuring the maintenance of the professional, clinical, ethical and WHS standards.

Core requirements of the job holder

  • Working knowledge of human right-based approaches in the disability sector, including policy and legislative requirements relating top Restrictive Practices.

  • Utilise a strengths-bases, future focussed framework in work with customers, families and service partners.

  • Provides guidance and information to less experienced staff within area.

  • Uses broad network of contacts to resolve work issues.

  • Uses thorough and professional competence to support customers with problem solving and decision making about their needs and expectations.

  • Understands scope of service offerings and can negotiate within boundaries.

  • Able to effectively deal with sensitive and serious matters, respecting diversity and confidentiality requirements.

  • Interacts positively and professionally with stakeholders. 

  • A detailed understanding of the intent and framework of compliance legislation, quality standards, policies and procedures relevant to the role.

  • Exercises initiative and judgement, under guidance, to creatively improve service or product offerings.

  • Identifies and mitigates risks.

  • Takes on board, accommodates and accepts feedback.

  • Follows Chrysalis’ policy and practice manuals and code of conducts.

  • Follows and implements workplace health and safety guidelines and instructions.

  • Undertakes administrative tasks necessary for the role including maintaining appropriate documentation and the use of Chrysalis systems.

  • Adopts personal accountability in own role and reports concerns/incidents or breaches in practice.

  • Actively adapts, accepts and is willing to change within the context of the job role and wider organisation or community changes.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

  • Recognised qualification in appropriate allied health discipline of Psychologist, OT, Speech Pathology, Nursing (with relevant experience), Special Education and Social Work including minimum 2 years’ experience in the delivery of behaviour support.

  • Meet the eligibility requirements for membership of the relevant Australian professional association. e.g. Association of Social Workers (AASW), current registration to practice in NSW with APHRA (Australian Health Clinician Regulation Agency)

  • Substantial experience working with individuals, families and children with a disability.

  • Has explicit knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support principals including functional behaviour assessments, intervention and service delivery practices and Restrictive Practise Authorisation processes.

  • Knowledge, understanding and commitment to the policies, procedures and delegations of HWNS, together with relevant legislation (e.g. Disability Services Act 1993, Guardianship Act 1987, Disability Services Standards).

  • Demonstrated ability to utilise data collection tools, collate information, analyse and prepare reports for relevant stakeholders.

  • Ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders including individuals, families, Local Area Coordinators, NDIA, the Office of the Public Guardian, ADHC, other government agencies and specialist support services.

  • Experience in delivering and evaluation relevant training for support staff and hold a Certificate in Workplace Training and Assessing or prepared to undertake this training.

  • Understanding of the impacts of trauma and trauma-informed practice principals.

  • Knowledge of child protection/mandatory reporting legislation and policy reforms particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

  • Willingness to receive cultural supervision in your work with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

  • Willingness to work as part of a team and to cultivate a strength-based approach.

  • Well-developed communication, problem solving and interpersonal skills.

  • High level time management and case load management skills.

  • An ability to use electronic case management and reporting tools and experience using Word, Excel, Halaxy and Monday.com.

  • An ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team.

  • Excellent documentation and record keeping skills.

  • Current drivers’ licence and own insured car.

  • Working with Children’s Check and Police Check clearance.

  • Ability to travel and work independently and away from home.

To join our ever-growing family of practitioners, apply now by filling out the form below. Two references will be required for successful applicants.

Only applicants with the right to work in Australia will be considered. Shortlisted applications will be required to undergo pre-employment checks. We will be actively shortlisting during the advertising period and reserve the right to close this advert prior to the advertised date.

The Chrysalis Group is a Child Safe Organisation and an EEO Employer. Lived experience is considered an asset.

Cristy Houghton