At Independence Pathways OT, care plans and support worker training are developed to improve consistency, safety, and quality of support across daily care routines and environments.

Occupational therapy input can assist support teams to better understand a participant’s functional needs, communication style, mobility requirements, equipment use, behavioural presentation, fatigue management, and strategies that support independence and wellbeing.

Training and care planning are tailored to the participant’s individual needs, routines, risks, and goals.

What is included?

Services may include:

• Development of individualised care plans

• Manual handling and transfer guidance

• Positioning and pressure care recommendations

• Equipment use and safety education

• Cognitive and communication supports

• Environmental setup recommendations

• Risk management and safety planning

• Daily routine and task support strategies

• Education for families, carers, and support workers

Documentation is developed to provide practical guidance that can be consistently implemented across support teams and care environments.

Worker Training

Training may be provided to support workers, family members and carers, SIL staff, residential care staff and/or community support teams

Training is practical and participant-specific, and may include:

• safe transfer techniques

• wheelchair and seating management

• use of assistive technology

• mobility support

• falls prevention

• communication approaches

• strategies for fatigue and cognitive support

• safe support during personal care tasks

• implementation of therapy recommendations

The aim is to improve confidence, consistency, and safety for both participants and support teams.

Care Planning

Care plans are developed to support clear and consistent approaches to daily care and support requirements.

Plans may address:

• personal care routines

• mobility and transfer assistance

• meal preparation support

• prompting and supervision requirements

• behavioural or emotional support strategies

• equipment setup and use

• positioning schedules

• fatigue management strategies

• risk management considerations

• escalation or monitoring requirements

Care plans can assist in supporting continuity of care across multiple staff and settings.

Who May Benefit?

Care planning and training may benefit participants who:

• require assistance with daily living tasks

• have complex mobility or transfer needs

• use assistive technology or specialised equipment

• have progressive neurological or physical conditions

• require multiple support workers or rotating staff

• experience cognitive or communication difficulties

• require structured routines or behavioural support strategies

• are transitioning to new support arrangements or accommodation settings