Disability Support Worker / Practical Mentor - Rutherford

Disability Support Worker / Practical Mentor - RutherfordAble Together AustraliaJob description

• ASD Level 1 & ADHD
• LOCATION: Rutherford, NSW
• HOURS: 5 hours / week
• SCHEDULE: Regular, weekly

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're looking for a practical, proactive and encouraging male mentor, ideally in his mid-20s to mid-30s, to provide weekly support to a 28-year-old man with ASD Level 1 and ADHD.

This role goes beyond companionship. You'll help the participant build independence, work through executive-function challenges, and ease the day-to-day mental load on his family — acting as a champion, sounding board and practical guide across household projects, daily organisation, career growth and community engagement.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Community access & transport — accompany the participant to appointments, social activities, exercise, errands and church/community events; help overcome barriers to leaving the house.
• Daily living & household organisation — support garage/tool organisation, room sorting and setting up simple, repeatable routines.
• Cooking & meal prep — plan meals, build grocery lists and cook simple, balanced meals together.
• Employment support — mentor around job searching, applications, interview prep and workplace communication.
• Behaviour & emotional support — offer calm, practical reassurance during overwhelm, task paralysis or sensory overload.
• Personal routines — light, non-clinical encouragement around daily habits and exercise.
• Family collaboration — support healthy communication and self-reliance, easing pressure on his spouse without taking sides.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Faith & values — a genuine, practicing Christian, comfortable supporting Christian values and praying together when welcomed.
• Male applicant, ideally mid-20s to mid-30s, to build a relatable, peer-level mentoring relationship.
• Neurodiversity knowledge — solid understanding of ASD Level 1, ADHD, executive dysfunction, sensory overwhelm and task-initiation strategies.
• Personal qualities — warm, patient, calm under pressure, non-judgmental, emotionally mature and reliable, with a good sense of humour.
• Initiative — proactive rather than waiting for direction; able to gently challenge avoidance while respecting boundaries.
• Current driver's licence and your own fully insured vehicle.

You'll also need:

• NDIS Worker Check
• Working with Children Check
• Current First Aid certification
• Infection Control Training
• Completion of the NDIS Orientation Module
• Experience supporting clients with mental health conditions or neurodivergence

Nice to have:

• Formal training in disability support, particularly autism / neurodivergence
• Skills in verbal de-escalation techniques

WHAT WE OFFER

• A consistent schedule — 5 hours a week, flexibly allocated across practical tasks, mentoring and community access.
• Meaningful impact — a clear purpose: helping build the participant's confidence, structure and long-term independence.
• A supportive environment — you'll be working with a caring Christian family who value both practical help and genuine mentorship, and who are seeking a trusted, long-term companion.

Pay: $26.44 – $57.20 per hour

Expected hours: 5.0 per week

Work Location: In person