Course Overview
Online | 
Certificate on completionRecognise. Respond. Support with confidence.
Build the practical skills to provide safe, respectful and person-centred support to people experiencing psychosocial disability or emotional distress.
What you’ll learn
- Understand psychosocial disability and recovery-oriented support
- Recognise signs of emotional and mental distress
- Use effective communication and de-escalation strategies
- Apply trauma-informed approaches
- Know when concerns need to be reported or escalated
- Understand duty of care and safeguarding responsibilities
- Maintain safe professional boundaries
- Document psychosocial observations objectively
- Support participant wellbeing while also maintaining worker wellbeing
Psychosocial Care Skills for Workers
Course Type
Online
Duration
45 minutes
Start Date
Start any time
Price
$15.00
How It Works
Step 1: Enrol in your course
Choose your course and enrol to get access to your online learning.
Step 2: Complete your learning
Work through the course at your own pace, whenever it suits you.
Step 3: Receive your certificate
Complete the course requirements and receive your certificate of completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course designed for?
Designed for people working across care and support environments, including:
- Support Workers
- Personal Care Workers
- AINs
- ENs
- RNs
- Team Leaders
- Coordinators
Ideal for frontline care workers, clinical staff and team leaders who need practical
infection prevention knowledge they can apply in everyday care.
What is psychosocial disability?
Psychosocial disability refers to the impact that a mental health condition can have on a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities, maintain relationships, participate in the community and manage different areas of their life. The impact can vary over time and may affect each person differently. Support should therefore be person-centred and focused on the individual’s needs, choices, independence and recovery.
How can support workers help someone experiencing emotional distress?
Support workers can help by remaining calm, listening without judgement and communicating in a respectful and reassuring way. Workers should pay attention to changes in mood, behaviour or wellbeing and follow the person’s support plan and their organisation’s procedures. If there are concerns about the person’s safety or wellbeing, these should be documented and escalated appropriately.
What is trauma-informed care in disability support?
Trauma-informed care recognises that a person may have experienced trauma and considers how those experiences can affect their behaviour, communication, sense of safety and willingness to engage with support. For support workers, a trauma-informed approach involves promoting safety, choice, respect and control while avoiding actions that may unnecessarily cause distress or re-traumatisation.
How should a support worker respond to challenging or distressed behaviour?
A support worker should remain calm, communicate clearly and respectfully, and consider what may be contributing to the person’s distress. De-escalation should focus on reducing tension and supporting the person’s safety and dignity rather than arguing, confronting or trying to control them. Workers should remain within their role, follow relevant support plans and procedures, and escalate concerns when additional assistance is required. NSG’s Psychosocial Care Skills course specifically includes communication and de-escalation strategies as part of the training.