Academic Support Worker jobs

Support Worker – Creative, Low-Demand/PDA Focused Required in Mindarie

• Location: Merriwa, Western Australia
• Employment Type: Casual / Part-Time
• Industry: Disability Support / NDIS

About the Role

Are you a creative, highly intuitive support worker who can confidently lead with initiative while understanding that relationship always comes before compliance? We are looking for an exceptional mentor to support an intelligent, highly creative 12-year-old female who loves arts, crafts, music, and K-Pop.

The participant is autistic with a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile, and also navigates ADHD and ARFID. For this young person, anxiety drives a strong need for autonomy and control. We don’t need an authoritative figure, but we do need someone with the confidence to intentionally shape an environment and proactively introduce engaging activities. We are looking for a collaborative partner who can use humour, play, and shared interests to help her thrive.

What a Typical Shift Looks Like

• Proactive Connection: Using your own initiative to bring creative ideas, music, or projects to the table, building initial rapport through shared passions like drawing, playing Uno, or listening to music.
• Shaping the Environment: Confidently setting a gentle rhythm for the session by offering structured but flexible options so she never feels the burden of having to direct the shift herself.
• Collaborative Support: Partnering on daily activities using "body doubling" (doing tasks with her, not for her or directing her).
• Low-Demand Engagement: Using inviting, non-directive language (e.g., "I wonder if we could try...") rather than direct instructions or commands, while keeping the activity moving forward.
• Safe Co-Regulation: Providing a calm, grounded, and confident presence to help her navigate big emotions when she feels overwhelmed.
• Sensory-Aware Meal Support: Maintaining a completely pressure-free, neutral environment around food, supporting her choice of safe foods without judgment.
• Community & Boundaries: Supporting her with social safety, sibling conflict resolution, and navigating the community confidently.

About You (Key Selection Criteria)

• Confident Initiative: You have the confidence to step in, shape an activity, and guide the flow of the session without relying on direct commands or control. You know how to provide a secure framework that reduces her anxiety.
• The Right Mindset: You firmly believe that behaviour is communication, and you approach challenges with deep empathy and curiosity rather than consequences or punishments.
• Naturally Collaborative: You naturally default to offering choice, flexibility, and shared decision-making within a confidently held space.
• Creative & Engaging: You love arts, crafts, or music, and know how to proactively use a person’s passions as a bridge to build trust.
• Excellent Boundaries: You understand the importance of maintaining clear professional boundaries while working within a warm, busy family home environment.
• Qualifications: While formal qualifications are a plus, we prioritise the right attitude, high emotional intelligence, confidence, and experience with neurodivergent youth (specifically ADHD, Autism, or PDA profiles).

Why Join Tuley?

At Tuley, our core values are built on Inclusion, Self-Determination, and Empathy. You will not be managing this role in isolation. We provide a highly supportive structure, including:

• Clear, comprehensive Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) plans and risk assessments before you start your first shift.
• Dedicated digital team channels (Microsoft Teams) to collaborate, share updates, and seek guidance anytime.
• Strong managerial support from a team dedicated to staff wellbeing and professional governance.

How to Apply

If you are ready to make a genuine, lasting impact in a young person’s life by allowing them to feel respected, heard, and safe, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your resume along with a brief cover letter explaining your understanding of a collaborative, low-demand approach to support, and how you bring confident initiative to your support work.