Buddy Program New Staff Introduction & Shadow Shift in Disability Services

Course Overview

This course provides a structured operational framework for successfully onboarding new team members through a peer-led mentorship model. It focuses on the customization of the “Buddy” experience, ensuring that new staff are not just observing tasks, but are being immersed in the specific routines, communication styles, and person-centered preferences of the participants they will support.

Aligned with the NDIS Practice Standards for “Workforce Capability” and “Worker Orientation,” this training equips experienced “Buddy” staff and new recruits with the tools to make the first few shifts productive and safe. Participants will learn how to transition from theory to practice, turning a shadow shift into a high-value learning opportunity that builds confidence and ensures continuity of care.

What You’ll Learn

• Navigate the NDIS landscape from a frontline perspective, focusing on “Choice and Control” and the NDIS Code of Conduct.

• Clarify the “Roles and Responsibilities” of a support worker, including the boundary between professional support and friendship.

• Execute “Shadow Shift Preparation,” including reviewing participant profiles, behavior support plans, and site-specific safety inductions.

• Master the “Learn-Observe-Do” model for on-the-job training, allowing new staff to gradually take on tasks under supervision.

• Identify the nuances of “Active Support”—learning how to support a participant to do things with them, rather than for them.

• Implement effective “Debriefing Techniques” to process the emotional and technical learnings of a shift and ask critical questions.

• Master the documentation requirements for “Shift Notes” and “Incident Reports,” ensuring new staff understand the legal weight of their records.

• Develop a “Competency Checklist” to track the new starter’s progress through essential house operations and safety protocols.

Course Modules

• Understand Disability Services and the NDIS

• Identify the Roles and Responsibilities in Disability Support

• Prepare for a Shadow (Buddy) Shift

• Conducting the Shadow Shift – Learning on the Job

• Debrief and Reflect After the Shadow Shift

• Document and Report Incidents in SIL and Other Settings

Designed For

• Experienced support workers acting as “Buddy” mentors.

• New staff entering the NDIS workforce for the first time.

• SIL house leads and team leaders responsible for staff onboarding.

• HR and Operations managers looking to formalize their induction process.

• Quality and compliance officers ensuring all staff meet orientation standards.