COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Delivering High Intensity Daily Personal Supports to NDIS Participants course. This program is designed to equip suitably qualified support workers with the knowledge and regulatory understanding required to safely and competently deliver complex personal care supports. High intensity supports play a critical role in the lives of participants with significant health needs, ensuring they can live safely and with dignity while receiving assistance tailored to their complex functional requirements.
High intensity daily personal supports are specialised care tasks that go beyond standard personal activities. This course begins by introducing the scope and importance of these supports, outlining the types of tasks involved and the clinical risks that must be managed. It clearly differentiates between standard care and high intensity support activities, and provides an overview of the NDIS Practice Standards and High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors which define the expected competencies and professional conduct for support workers delivering this level of care.
Compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards is essential for all providers and workers involved in delivering high intensity supports. This section focuses on the specific requirements of Module 1: High Intensity Daily Personal Activities, including how to interpret and apply the associated Skills Descriptors. It outlines key areas of compliance, such as care planning, staff training, and participant safety, and explains the importance of maintaining thorough documentation, participating in audits, and ensuring continuous quality improvement.
Support workers have significant responsibilities when assisting participants with high intensity needs. This section defines the scope of duties involved in delivering these supports, including the importance of operating within one's level of training and competence. It emphasises the need for clear communication and collaboration with healthcare professionals, allied health staff, and members of the participant’s support network. It also provides guidance on how to operate under appropriate supervision and delegation, ensuring that the worker understands their accountability within a clinical care framework.
Delivering effective high intensity support depends on person-centred communication and trust. This section explores how to engage with participants to understand their preferences, routines, and care needs, especially when the participant may have communication difficulties or behavioural complexities. It provides strategies for adapting communication styles, using visual or assistive tools, and ensuring participants feel respected, heard, and empowered in their own care.
Complex bowel care requires specialised training, attention to detail, and strict adherence to health protocols. This section explains how to understand and follow bowel management plans, administer enemas and suppositories, and support participants with stoma care. It also details how to recognise signs of bowel complications such as impaction, bleeding, or infection, and when to escalate concerns to clinical staff or emergency services.
Enteral feeding supports are provided to participants who are unable to consume nutrition orally. This section introduces the different types of enteral feeding (including nasogastric and PEG tubes) and explains how to administer feeds and medications safely through feeding tubes. The section also covers hygiene practices to prevent infections, correct storage and handling of formula, and monitoring for signs of intolerance, blockage, or aspiration.
Severe dysphagia poses significant risks, including choking and aspiration pneumonia. This section addresses how to recognise swallowing difficulties, implement texture-modified diets and fluid thickness requirements, and support participants during mealtimes using safe feeding techniques. It also explains how to respond effectively in emergencies, such as choking episodes, and how to document incidents to inform ongoing risk management.
Tracheostomy care involves maintaining airway patency and preventing respiratory complications. This section outlines the routine procedures required for cleaning and inspecting tracheostomy sites, identifying signs of infection or blockage, and responding to emergencies such as accidental decannulation or secretion build-up. It also emphasises the importance of calm, competent handling to ensure participant comfort and safety.
Ventilator support requires a thorough understanding of both the equipment and the participant’s respiratory needs. This section provides an overview of common ventilator types and functions, how to monitor ventilator settings, and how to observe the participant’s respiratory patterns. It also explains how to troubleshoot alarms, ensure power and backup systems are in place, and respond to disconnections or technical issues in a timely and safe manner.
Urinary catheter management involves intimate personal care with a strong focus on infection prevention. This section explains the different types of urinary catheters (including indwelling and suprapubic), how to perform routine care, and how to monitor for signs of urinary tract infections or blockages. It also includes guidance on maintaining hygiene, reporting abnormalities, and supporting participant dignity during catheter-related tasks.
Subcutaneous injections and diabetes management are common high intensity tasks involving daily monitoring and medication administration. This section covers how to correctly prepare and administer insulin or other subcutaneous medications, monitor blood glucose levels, and recognise signs of hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia. It also includes protocols for safe sharps disposal, infection control, and responding to diabetic emergencies.
Complex wound management is a high-risk support area requiring structured care plans and close monitoring. This section explores how to assess different wound types, select appropriate dressings, and follow clinical wound care instructions. It also provides strategies for preventing infection, promoting healing, and documenting wound progression to ensure continuity and accuracy in participant care.
Epilepsy support requires workers to be alert, confident, and informed. This section details the different types of seizures, how to recognise potential triggers, and how to follow individual seizure management plans. It also explains the steps involved in post-seizure care, maintaining safety, supporting recovery, and recording accurate information for care reviews and NDIS compliance.
Risk assessment and emergency preparedness are foundational to delivering high intensity supports safely. This section outlines how to conduct risk assessments for each participant, develop individualised emergency response plans, and ensure all staff are prepared to act swiftly in the event of complications. It also provides guidance on reporting incidents and near misses in line with NDIS quality and safeguarding requirements.
Infection control and hygiene practices must be upheld at the highest level when delivering high intensity personal care. This section covers the core principles of standard precautions, proper hand hygiene techniques, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). It also details procedures for cleaning reusable equipment, managing exposure to bodily fluids, and ensuring environmental sanitation.
Documentation is not just an administrative task—it is essential to participant safety, accountability, and NDIS compliance. This section explains how to maintain accurate and timely records of each care activity, including medication administration, observed changes, and participant responses. It also addresses the ethical and legal importance of documentation, and how recorded data informs future care planning, audits, and reviews.
By the end of this course, you will be prepared to deliver high intensity daily personal supports that are safe, respectful, and compliant with all NDIS quality standards. Your role in supporting participants with complex needs is crucial to their independence, wellbeing, and ability to remain in their home or community setting with dignity and confidence.
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 High Intensity Daily Personal Supports
- Understanding the scope and significance of high intensity supports
- Differentiating between standard and high intensity daily personal activities
- Overview of NDIS Practice Standards and Skills Descriptors
2. NDIS Practice Standards and Compliance
- Key requirements under the NDIS Practice Standards Module 1
- Understanding the High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors
- Maintaining compliance through documentation and audits
3. Roles and Responsibilities of Support Workers
- Defining the responsibilities in delivering high intensity supports
- Collaborating with healthcare professionals and the participant's support network
- Understanding supervision and delegation protocols
4. Participant-Centred Care and Communication
- Engaging with participants to understand their preferences and needs
- Effective communication strategies for participants with complex needs
- Respecting participant autonomy and promoting independence
5. Complex Bowel Care
- Understanding bowel management plans and protocols
- Administering enemas, suppositories, and managing stomas
- Monitoring and responding to signs of complications
6. Enteral Feeding and Management
- Types of enteral feeding methods
- Safe administration of nutrition and medication via feeding tubes
- Maintaining hygiene and preventing infections
7. Severe Dysphagia Management
- Identifying signs of swallowing difficulties
- Implementing safe feeding techniques and texture modifications
- Emergency responses to choking and aspiration risks
8. Tracheostomy Care
- Routine cleaning and maintenance of tracheostomy sites
- Recognising and managing potential complications
- Emergency procedures for tracheostomy blockages
9. Ventilator Support
- Understanding different types of ventilators and their functions
- Monitoring ventilator settings and participant responses
- Troubleshooting common issues and emergency protocols
10. Urinary Catheter Management
- Types of catheters (e.g., indwelling, suprapubic) and their care
- Preventing urinary tract infections and other complications
- Recognising signs of catheter-related issues
11. Subcutaneous Injections and Diabetes Management
- Administering insulin and other subcutaneous medications
- Monitoring blood glucose levels and recognising hypo/hyperglycaemia
- Safe disposal of sharps and infection control measures
12. Complex Wound Management
- Assessing different types of wounds and appropriate dressings
- Implementing wound care plans and monitoring healing
- Preventing and managing infections
13. Epilepsy and Seizure Support
- Identifying types of seizures and their triggers
- Implementing seizure management plans
- Post-seizure care and documentation
14. Risk Assessment and Emergency Response
- Conducting risk assessments for high intensity activities
- Developing and implementing emergency response plans
- Reporting incidents and near misses
15. Infection Control and Hygiene Practices
- Standard precautions and hand hygiene
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Cleaning and disinfection protocols
16. Documentation and Record Keeping
- Maintaining accurate and timely records of care provided
- Understanding legal and ethical obligations in documentation
- Utilising documentation to inform care planning and reviews
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”.