Supporting Participants with Obesity in Residential Care

Course Overview

This course provides a professional and empathetic framework for support workers assisting participants living with obesity in residential settings. It focuses on the customization of daily support to address the unique physical and emotional challenges of obesity, ensuring care is delivered with dignity while strictly adhering to NDIS Practice Standards for personal safety and risk management.

Participants will learn to implement practical health strategies and utilize specialized equipment, moving beyond weight-centric approaches to focus on the participant’s overall mobility, skin health, and psychological well-being.

What You’ll Learn

• Define obesity through a clinical and social lens, understanding its complex biological and environmental drivers.

• Identify the professional boundaries and responsibilities of support workers within a multidisciplinary health team.

• Implement practical management strategies, including skin fold care, mobility assistance, and nutritional support.

• Navigate the safe use of bariatric equipment and assistive technology to prevent injury to both participants and staff.

• Identify potential medical crises, such as respiratory distress or acute mobility failure, and execute rapid intervention.

• Apply strategies to reduce weight-related stigma and foster a supportive, inclusive social environment.

• Maintain accurate documentation of health metrics and care interventions for NDIS compliance and clinical review.

Course Modules

• Understand Obesity

• Identify Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop Management Strategies for Obesity

• Understand Medication and Medical Support

• Understand Crisis Intervention and Support

• Reducing Stigma and Enhancing Social Support

Designed For

• Residential care workers and disability support practitioners.

• NDIS providers managing participants with complex physical and metabolic needs.

• Team leaders and supervisors responsible for workplace health and safety (WHS) and bariatric care audits.

• Community health workers and home care assistants.

• New staff requiring specialized training in bariatric care and sensitive personal support.