COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Assisting NDIS Participants with Daily Personal Activities course. This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, practical skills, and ethical frameworks required to assist NDIS participants with essential daily personal activities. These supports are foundational to participant dignity, safety, and wellbeing. They also play a crucial role in promoting independence, personal choice, and full participation in community life. Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), assistance with daily personal activities is provided to participants whose disability affects their capacity to manage personal care tasks independently. As a support worker, your role is not just to provide assistance—but to do so with respect, empathy, and a commitment to person-centred care.

Support workers assist participants with a wide range of personal care tasks. This course begins by introducing the core responsibilities associated with daily personal activities, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility support. It outlines how these services are defined within NDIS guidelines and clarifies the expectations for support provision, goal alignment, and participant engagement. Emphasis is placed on maintaining the dignity of each individual and fostering as much autonomy as possible in the care relationship.

Eating and drinking are deeply personal activities that impact both physical health and emotional wellbeing. This section explores how to support participants in meal consumption—whether through direct assistance or by supporting the use of adaptive eating aids. It also includes strategies for monitoring dietary needs, managing allergies or medical diets, and respecting personal and cultural food preferences during mealtime routines.

Dressing and grooming support helps participants maintain personal comfort, hygiene, and self-expression. This section provides guidance on assisting participants with selecting appropriate clothing, supporting them in dressing and undressing, and carrying out grooming activities such as shaving, brushing hair, and skincare. It highlights the importance of respecting personal style and privacy while offering practical support in a safe, non-intrusive manner.

Toileting assistance requires discretion, sensitivity, and consistent dignity. This section examines how to assist participants with toileting routines, hygiene, and the use of continence aids such as pads, commodes, or urinals. It also outlines how to maintain a respectful environment, manage hygiene concerns, and safeguard privacy throughout all aspects of continence care.

Maintaining hygiene supports not only physical health, but also confidence and self-esteem. This section details how to provide safe and effective assistance with showering, bathing, hair washing, and nail care. It also discusses how to assess the level of support needed, respect personal preferences regarding hygiene routines, and reduce the risk of slips, burns, or infections during these tasks.

Mobility support ensures that participants can move safely and comfortably through their living environments. This section outlines how to assist with transfers, safe positioning in beds or chairs, and the use of mobility aids such as walkers, hoists, or slide sheets. Emphasis is placed on maintaining correct manual handling techniques, protecting participant safety, and fostering mobility independence wherever possible.

In educational settings, some participants may receive in-kind personal care support. This section explains how NDIS supports are delivered in school contexts, including how to work alongside educators and aides. It emphasises the importance of communication between home and school, continuity of care, and safeguarding student dignity and participation throughout the school day.

Communication is key to effective personal care. This section outlines strategies for engaging participants through verbal and non-verbal communication, building trust and rapport, and reading cues related to comfort, discomfort, or preference. It also includes professional boundary considerations and techniques for maintaining respectful and constructive interpersonal relationships.

Cultural competency is essential in personal care support. This section explores how to adapt support strategies to honour cultural and religious practices related to personal care, hygiene, and gender considerations. It also provides guidance on engaging with culturally appropriate resources, training, and community networks to deliver respectful and inclusive care.

Personal care tasks carry inherent safety risks, especially for participants with mobility, sensory, or cognitive impairments. This section addresses how to identify potential hazards, implement risk-reduction strategies, and respond to emergencies—such as falls, choking, or burns—during daily personal activities. It also includes incident reporting requirements in line with NDIS practice standards.

Clear documentation supports participant safety, continuity of care, and regulatory compliance. This section explains how to maintain accurate records of care provided, report changes in participant health or ability, and ensure confidential handling of personal data. It reinforces the importance of transparent communication and detailed progress notes for each participant interaction.

Effective collaboration with health professionals enhances care outcomes. This section provides guidance on working alongside nurses, allied health professionals, and medical practitioners to implement care plans and follow treatment instructions. It emphasises the importance of clear, timely communication and coordinated teamwork in multidisciplinary care environments.

Participant autonomy is a central principle of the NDIS. This section explores how to encourage choice, empower participants to make decisions about their care, and support independence in daily routines. It outlines strategies for scaffolding tasks to promote skill development while ensuring the participant feels respected and in control.

Managing challenging behaviours is sometimes part of personal care. This section provides insight into understanding behavioural triggers, applying proactive behaviour support strategies, and responding to behaviours of concern with calm, safety-conscious approaches. It reinforces the importance of respectful communication, clear boundaries, and documentation of incidents for follow-up.

Assistive technology can greatly enhance independence in personal care. This section introduces tools such as shower chairs, dressing aids, automated soap dispensers, and voice-controlled devices. It discusses how to select, set up, and support participants in using these technologies, including the importance of training and routine troubleshooting.

Legal and ethical considerations form the foundation of safe and respectful personal care. This section outlines support workers’ legal responsibilities—including duty of care, consent, and safeguarding—and the ethical principles underpinning personal care delivery. It also addresses rights protection and the application of the NDIS Code of Conduct in everyday practice.

Ongoing training is essential for maintaining best practice in personal care. This section encourages active engagement in professional development, staying up to date with NDIS changes, and participating in supervision or peer learning to build confidence and competence. It reinforces the importance of refining hands-on skills, communication, and safety knowledge.

Reflective practice is vital for continuous improvement and personal wellbeing. This final section explores how support workers can engage in self-reflection, seek feedback, and address emotional fatigue. It also highlights self-care strategies to prevent burnout and sustain a high standard of care, balancing professional excellence with personal resilience.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped to provide high-quality, ethical, and person-centred support with daily personal activities. Your role will contribute to the dignity, independence, and wellbeing of NDIS participants, empowering them to lead fulfilling and self-directed lives in their own homes and communities.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Daily Personal Activities Support

·       Understanding the role of support workers in assisting with daily personal activities

·       Overview of NDIS guidelines for personal care supports

·       Importance of promoting participant independence and dignity

2. Eating and Drinking Assistance

·       Supporting participants with meal consumption

·       Assisting with the use of eating and drinking aids

·       Monitoring dietary requirements and preferences

3. Dressing and Grooming Support

·       Assisting with selecting appropriate clothing

·       Supporting participants in dressing and undressing

·       Helping with grooming tasks such as hair care and shaving

4. Toileting and Continence Care

·       Assisting with toileting routines and hygiene

·       Supporting the use of continence aids

·       Maintaining privacy and dignity during toileting assistance

5. Personal Hygiene Maintenance

·       Assisting with showering and bathing

·       Supporting hair washing and drying

·       Helping with fingernail and toenail care

6. Mobility and Positioning Support

·       Assisting with moving in and out of bed or chairs

·       Supporting safe positioning and transfers

·       Using mobility aids and equipment effectively

7. In-Kind Personal Care in Educational Settings

·       Understanding in-kind personal care provisions in schools

·       Collaborating with educational staff to support student needs

·       Ensuring consistency of care across home and school environments

8. Communication and Interpersonal Skills

·       Building effective communication with participants

·       Understanding non-verbal cues and preferences

·       Maintaining professional boundaries and rapport

9. Cultural Competency in Personal Care

·       Respecting cultural and religious practices in personal care

·       Adapting support to meet diverse cultural needs

·       Engaging with culturally appropriate resources and training

10. Safety and Risk Management

·       Identifying potential hazards in personal care tasks

·       Implementing strategies to minimise risks

·       Responding to emergencies and incidents appropriately

11. Documentation and Record-Keeping

·       Maintaining accurate records of support provided

·       Reporting changes in participant needs or health

·       Ensuring confidentiality and data protection

12. Collaboration with Health Professionals

·       Working alongside nurses, therapists, and other professionals

·       Understanding care plans and medical instructions

·       Communicating effectively within multidisciplinary teams

13. Supporting Participant Autonomy

·       Encouraging participants to make choices in their care

·       Promoting self-care and independence where possible

·       Respecting participant preferences and routines

14. Managing Challenging Behaviours

·       Understanding triggers and behaviours of concern

·       Implementing positive behaviour support strategies

·       Ensuring safety for participants and support workers

15. Use of Assistive Technology in Personal Care

·       Identifying appropriate assistive devices for personal care

·       Training participants in the use of assistive technology

·       Maintaining and troubleshooting equipment

16. Legal and Ethical Considerations

·       Understanding legal responsibilities in personal care

·       Maintaining participant rights and informed consent

·       Adhering to ethical standards and NDIS Code of Conduct

17. Training and Skill Development

·       Participating in ongoing training for personal care skills

·       Staying updated with best practices and NDIS guidelines

·       Seeking feedback and supervision for continuous improvement

18. Reflective Practice and Self-Care for Support Workers

·       Engaging in reflective practices to improve service delivery

·       Recognising signs of burnout and seeking support

·       Implementing self-care strategies to maintain wellbeing

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.