Provides general assistance, emotional support, care and companionship for people with mental health issues in private homes or in community situations including residential facilities.

Accompanies clients during daily activities; may prompt clients to: prepare food and perform a range of activities of daily living including personal care, social and housekeeping tasks. May prompt client to take appropriate medication; provides companionship and emotional support; implements and reports on progress with care plan.

• Work typically occurs inside in private homes or in community situations including residential facilities.
• Work spaces are generally adequately heated and ventilated also clean and well-maintained, but this may vary in relation to work that occurs in private homes.
• Employees may work for a number of clients concurrently, in a number of different locations and need to travel between these on a regular basis.

• The job generally entails a light physical demand level.
• There is an occasional requirement for stretching and reaching across, household management tasks are part of the job description. Some climbing of steps or stairs is not a significant part of the role but may be necessary, depending on location.
• Twisting of the body or neck is not a significant part of the role.
• Contact with skin irritants or water is not a significant part of the role although is possible if support with household management tasks is required.
• Repetitive movements will be occasionally required if the performance of some domestic tasks is part of the role.
• Driving is likely to be required if duties include transportation to appointments, providing assistance with procuring groceries or if working at more than one location.
• Household cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners, mops, cooking utensils and laundry equipment is used frequently if these tasks are included in the job description.
• Bending squatting or crouching movements are likely to occur occasionally when carrying out daily household tasks.
• Mental skills necessary include communication, evaluation, organisational, decision-making and planning skills.

• Previous experience in this role or at least three years of secondary education (ANZSCO Skill Level 4). Some employers prefer candidates who have, or are working towards, a qualification such as the National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work.
• Any previous criminal convictions need to be declared so that they can be reviewed by prospective employers. A First Aid Certificate and/or a Driver's Licence may also be required.

• There are opportunities for flexibility of movement.
• Shift work may be necessary.