The knowledge and training experiences of Australian support workers assisting clients who cannot use speech alone to be heard and understood

The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2013, increased the need for disability support workers in Australia. However, there are no mandatory qualification or training requirements for support workers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge, training experiences and training needs of Australian support workers assisting NDIS participants who cannot rely on speech alone to be heard and understood. A total of 240 support workers responded to a convergent mixed methods survey disseminated online. While the majority of respondents had accessed some form of training, there was a strong desire for further training. Support workers reported a range of barriers to accessing further training including time and scheduling limitations, financial viability and the format and mode of training currently available. Support workers’ self-perceived knowledge was variable between respondents. When asked to describe the strategies they used to assist individuals who cannot use speech alone to be heard and understood, support workers provided access to augmentative and alternative communication systems and supported comprehension and/or expression. The implications for policy makers, employers and research are reported and discussed.