Job Description

Chosen Family fosters a community-centric ecosystem that embraces diversity, flexibility, inclusion and belonging. We believe quality support starts with genuine human connection, respect and understanding.

We are looking for reliable, compassionate and engaging Support Workers to support participants during a planned Short Term Respite (STR) stay on the Gold Coast from 14–21 October 2026.

This is an opportunity for Support Workers who enjoy respite support, community participation, recreational activities and helping young people experience greater independence, choice and connection.

We are seeking workers who can provide safe, respectful and enjoyable support both at the accommodation and during community outings.

About the Respite Opportunity

The respite will involve supporting two young participants during their stay on the Gold Coast.

The planned support model may include:

• 1:2 support when both participants are together during respite.
• 1:1 support during community outings, particularly where participants wish to participate in different activities.
• Community access and recreational activities based on participant interests and preferences.
• Daytime, evening and potentially overnight support, depending on the final roster and confirmed support requirements.
• Support that promotes independence, choice and active participation.

The family has also indicated that having an adult Support Worker available overnight may provide additional reassurance during the respite. Any overnight support will be confirmed as part of the final roster and support arrangements.

Community Access & Activities

A key focus of the respite will be community access, recreation and social participation.

The planning team has indicated that it would be beneficial to have at least three community-access outings throughout the week, while giving the participants the opportunity to provide input into the activities they would like to participate in.

Potential activities may include:

🎢 Theme parks and entertainment venues

🐱 Cat café visits

🏖️ Gold Coast outings

🍽️ Lunches and meals out

🌳 Parks and outdoor activities

🎬 Movies and entertainment

🛍️ Shopping and local community activities

Activities will ultimately be planned around participant choice, interests, accessibility, support needs and available arrangements.

About the Support Role

We are looking for Support Workers who can actively participate in the respite experience rather than simply provide supervision.

You may be supporting participants to:

• Explore the Gold Coast community
• Attend recreational activities
• Participate in social outings
• Navigate community environments
• Make choices about their activities
• Build confidence and independence
• Enjoy meaningful experiences outside their usual routines

The successful Support Workers will be comfortable being engaging, encouraging and flexible, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Mobility & Accessibility

One participant uses a folding push/manual wheelchair and may require wheelchair support during community access. The wheelchair is not necessarily required at all times.

Support Workers should therefore be comfortable with:

• Supporting a wheelchair user in the community
• Navigating accessible venues
• Managing a folding/manual wheelchair
• Supporting safe community access
• Allowing adequate time for mobility requirements
• Promoting independence wherever possible

Accommodation accessibility is also an important consideration, and accommodation involving many stairs may present a barrier.

What We're Looking For

We are particularly interested in Support Workers who are:

• Reliable and punctual
• Warm, friendly and engaging
• Comfortable supporting young people
• Experienced in disability support
• Experienced in community participation
• Comfortable with respite environments
• Confident supporting people with mobility needs
• Comfortable supporting wheelchair users
• Flexible and adaptable
• Patient and emotionally aware
• Safety-conscious
• Respectful of participant choice and preferences
• Confident supporting recreational activities
• Able to work collaboratively with other Support Workers
• Comfortable working within a 1:2 support arrangement
• Able to provide 1:1 support during community outings where required

Experience in Short Term Respite, youth support, disability support, community participation or complex support will be highly regarded.

Key Responsibilities

Depending on the final roster and individual support requirements, responsibilities may include:

• Providing person-centred support throughout the respite.
• Supporting participants at the accommodation.
• Providing community access and social participation support.
• Supporting recreational and leisure activities.
• Providing 1:1 support during outings where required.
• Working collaboratively within a 1:2 support arrangement.
• Supporting participants to make choices about their daily activities.
• Encouraging independence and confidence.
• Supporting safe access to community venues.
• Assisting with wheelchair-related community access where required.
• Providing companionship and meaningful social connection.
• Supporting appropriate daily routines.
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Following participant-specific support plans and safety procedures.
• Completing accurate shift notes and required documentation.
• Communicating professionally with participants, families and the Chosen Family team.
• Reporting concerns, incidents or changes in support needs promptly.

Participant Choice Comes First

The purpose of the respite is to provide a positive opportunity for participants to enjoy a break from their usual routines while maintaining choice and control over how they spend their time.

Participants will be encouraged to have input into:

• Activities
• Community outings
• Recreational interests
• Daily routines
• Social activities
• How they would like to spend their respite

We are therefore looking for Support Workers who listen, encourage and support rather than direct, and who can adapt plans around participant preferences where appropriate.

Support Worker Matching

At Chosen Family, we understand that the right participant–Support Worker relationship is important.

We consider:

• Support experience
• Respite experience
• Community access experience
• Youth support experience
• Communication style
• Personality
• Availability
• Location
• Relevant qualifications
• Mobility and wheelchair-support experience
• Ability to work within the required support ratio
• Comfort with overnight arrangements where applicable

For community outings, 1:1 support may be required where participants wish to participate in different activities.

Schedule & Availability

📅 14–21 October 2026

📍 Gold Coast, Queensland

⏰ Support hours will be arranged around participant routines, planned activities and confirmed respite requirements.

Current planning indicates that support may generally commence around 10:00 AM, rather than requiring continuous daytime support from early morning. The final hours will be confirmed once the Support Outline Summary and roster are completed.

There may also be opportunities for evening and overnight support, depending on the final arrangements.

Support Workers are welcome to express interest based on their availability across the respite period.

Essential Requirements

Applicants should have:

• NDIS Worker Screening Check
• Current First Aid Certificate
• Experience in disability or community support
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to provide person-centred support
• Ability to work collaboratively with other Support Workers
• Ability to follow participant-specific support plans
• Understanding of professional boundaries
• Reliability and punctuality
• Ability to support community access safely
• Confidence supporting wheelchair users, or relevant experience and willingness to follow participant-specific procedures
• Availability during the 14–21 October 2026 respite period

valid Australian driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle may be advantageous depending on the final transport and activity arrangements.

Relevant experience in respite, youth support, disability support, community participation, mobility support or wheelchair support will be highly regarded.

Why Join Chosen Family?

When you join the Chosen Family Support Worker network, you become part of a community focused on helping people experience greater:

Independence • Connection • Dignity • Choice • Belonging

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Build meaningful relationships with participants.
• Support people to experience enjoyable community activities.
• Help participants explore new environments and experiences.
• Promote confidence and independence.
• Develop your respite and community support experience.
• Work collaboratively with other Support Workers and providers.
• Be part of a carefully coordinated, participant-centred respite experience.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced Support Worker who would enjoy being part of this Gold Coast Short Term Respite opportunity, we would love to hear from you.

Please express your interest and provide:

• Your Support Worker experience
• Respite experience, if applicable
• Experience supporting young people
• Community access experience
• Experience supporting wheelchair users or people with mobility needs
• Relevant qualifications and certifications
• Current NDIS checks and clearances
• Your availability between 14–21 October 2026
• Whether you are available for daytime, evening and/or overnight support
• Your preferred number of shifts
• Your location
• Whether you have a driver's licence and access to a vehicle

Please clearly indicate which dates and times you are available, as consistency will be important when developing the respite roster.

🌴 Join Chosen Family

Support independence. Build connection. Create belonging.