Information for Students on Placement

Human Resources > Student Placement Procedure > Information for Students Placement Information

Authorised by Chief Executive Officer

Revised Date: 31 January 2023

At Kyeema we aim to give students on placement a genuinely useful and interesting experience of disability work. While this is not always an easy workplace most students would agree that the difficulties are usually outweighed by the satisfaction of knowledge gained.

The NDIS Code of Conduct is as follows.

The following are some tips to help you get the most from your placement time:

1.     All workers (employees and volunteers) at Kyeema need to have current Quality and Safeguarding checks. Please check these requirements with Human Resources.

2.     Kyeema is very strong on confidentiality.  Please put your training into practice.

3.     Familiarise yourself with the competencies required in your placement so that you can actively seek opportunities to achieve them. You may find these on your work placement evaluation form or listed in your work placement booklet provided by your training organisation. It is rewarding to get to the end of a placement and be able to have competencies signed off because you sought the opportunity to experience that particular task.

4.     Please look at your time here as an opportunity to learn from all staff.  Be open to direction and do not be offended by it. Staff know it is important for you to be trained well when working with vulnerable participants such as the aged and those with disabilities. Everyone makes mistakes, even experienced workers; the important thing is to learn from them.

5.     Ask questions to help with learning new skills.

6.     Be as hands-on as you can, as you learn more by being proactive.  Put what you have learnt from your training into action as you will obtain skills much faster. This doesn’t mean rushing into situations; getting to know individual participants’ likes and dislikes is also very important. Ask to see their Participant Information Form if you would like more detailed information.

7.     Day Activities workers are allocated taxi duties, morning tea and lunch duties and personal care duties.  By the end on your placement time we would like to see that you are able to carry out these duties. Some personal care duties must not be done independently until you are well trained. These include anything that involves use of a hoist and assisting with feeding or changing a person.

8.     Shifts at Ameeyk House or other settings may form part of your placement, so you can have a broader range of experience.

9.     Participant outcomes are documented electronically on our client management system Carelink. Ask a staff member if you can observe this.

Communication

Many of our participants do not have clear verbal communication. This is not a secret and we don’t pretend we have understood when we haven’t (unless the person is likely to have a behaviour of concern because of it). Ask the person to repeat it and then ask someone else for help in figuring out what they are saying.

Some participants do not use verbal communication at all. However, a lot can be communicated with sounds, gestures, and behaviour.

Communication in the Workplace

Effective workplace communication is diplomatic and friendly. When talking to participants be diplomatic about their disability. It’s not that we try to pretend people don’t have a disability; more that we aim to work to people’s strengths rather than their deficits.

Obviously respectful communication is expected with other workers.

Participant Behaviour

Not everyone at Kyeema is a perfect lady or gentleman all the time. You may see behaviour or hear language that surprises you. Try not to look too surprised (or amused as the case may be); you’re an adult and will have heard it all before. Certain reactions, such as shock or amusement, reward behaviour that we prefer not to encourage. We aim to keep our reactions very low key, whilst still addressing any safety needs or other issues that need to be attended to.

Potential risk in disability work

It must be noted that disability work is one of the occupations that carry the risk of assault by a participant. We cannot guarantee that this will not happen but where a behaviour is a known risk we will advise you of precautions in your approach, including possible triggers. If assault does occur, you may defend yourself as needed but must never strike back. Assaulting a participant is illegal and unethical and would result in instant termination of your placement and possibly legal repercussions. If you are hurt or upset, please de-brief with the Coordinator or Manager or an experienced staff member. Different people react differently to occupational violence and you may find it raises emotional issues – Kyeema will take responsibility in supporting you through this.

Professional Boundaries

Our participants like the opportunity to meet new people. Remember that you are not a new friend, you are a worker and as such professional boundaries apply.

•  Do not give your phone number to any of the participants.

•  Do not give gifts to one that you are not prepared to give to all.

•  Please do not disclose too much about your personal life with the participant, keep it general.

•  Share your time around to the quieter people as well as the more demanding ones.

Dress code

Refer to the Staff Handbook for advice on this. In brief; neat and casual clothing, with shoes that cover your toes. The dress code says long hair should be tied back but in fact a ponytail is no guarantee that hair will never be pulled, so in Day Programs we are flexible on this. Please keep risqué T shirts for weekend wear, and we don’t do cleavage in this workplace.

Smoking

Kyeema is a non-smoking workplace and there are not many opportunities through the day to smoke. Half an hour at lunchtime is the only reliable time between 9 and 3.30. Smokers need to go outside, ask a staff member where the designated area is if you are unsure.

If you need a smoke at morning tea please let other staff know so they can be assured there are adequate numbers for supervision of participant needs.

Alcohol and other Drugs

From the Staff Handbook: All Kyeema Support Services facilities, associated vehicles and all programs, are smoke-free and illicit drug-free environments.  No Kyeema staff member may provide disability support while affected by alcohol or illicit drugs.

Kyeema vehicles

If you carry a current driver’s licence you may drive a Kyeema vehicle. Please familiarise yourself with the car or bus you will drive before you commence the journey as they are all different.

Our buses come under the Bus Safety Act and must be safety-checked daily before use. All drivers of these are considered Bus Safety Workers under the Act.