Developmental Support Worker (DSW)

Developmental services workers (DSW) and special needs professionals work with those who have these disabilities to help them function better in the classroom, at work and in their day-to-day lives. They focus on assisting clients with their physical, vocational, recreational, social, and emotional development. Various educational and community institutions, including group homes and schools, employ development services workers. Inherent to the role of a DSW is the ability to collaborate and build relationships with people with developmental disabilities and their families and to work with colleagues and members of inter-professional teams to facilitate a seamless network of support for people. This role is for you if desire to work with people in a caring and compassionate profession, have an interest in social justice, have an open mind about what people can contribute and achieve irrespective of disability

 

Developmental service worker responsibilities

• Developmental service worker responsibilities include providing services such as counselling, educational support, recreation assistance, and inclusion skills to people with disabilities. Here’s a list of additional developmental service worker responsibilities:
• Providing client care according to the Director of Care’s (DOC) instructions
• Analyzing clients’ relevant skills, strengths, limitations, and needs
• Providing clients with options and alternative plans of action by collaborating with the DOC to maximize their progress in self-care
• Assessing the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients’ behavioral and physical changes
• Providing crisis intervention when necessary
• Providing direct feedback to the Director of Care about the overall progress of the client
• Assisting clients with personal hygiene
• Identifying and participating in performance improvement programs
• Organizing transportation for doctor’s appointments, outdoor activities, and errands
• Educating clients according to their plan of care and DOC’s direction
• Maintaining a safe working environment and providing quality patient care by adhering to policies, procedures, and standards of care
• Respecting the rights of the client, including the right to privacy, the right to refuse care, and the right to confidentiality
• Responding quickly and appropriately to an emergency
• Operating equipment with care and inform the DOC immediately of any equipment defects

Important DSW skills

Empathy, Patience, Communication, Active Listening