What Makes a Great Support Worker for Young People

A great support worker can leave a lasting impression on a young person’s journey. For parents, carers, and coordinators, finding someone who not only shows up but who truly understands, listens, and supports can make a huge difference. When that support worker also has lived experience, it brings an extra layer of connection that can’t be taught in training sessions or textbooks.

Brisbane has its own energy and pace, which makes having the right support worker even more important locally. For young people living with disability, a support worker who gets it creates space for more than just daily help. They help build trust, confidence, and life skills. The right match can influence how well a young person engages with their community, makes friends, and feels safe trying new things. So, what really makes a great support worker for young people? There’s no single answer, but there are qualities that tend to stand out time and time again.

Attributes Of A Great Support Worker

Support workers wear many hats, often throughout a single day. When working with young people, the role can shift quickly between being a helper, cheerleader, listener, and guide. While every young person is different, a few qualities seem to consistently support better connections and outcomes.

Here’s what we’ve seen really matters:

- Compassion and empathy

These two go hand in hand. A good support worker shows real care, someone who's not afraid to slow down, sit with a person through tough moments, and celebrate the good ones. They respond to the mood and needs of the young person, not just the checklist of tasks for the day.

- Reliability and consistency

Young people, especially those living with disability, often thrive with structure and routine. Having a support worker who arrives when they say they will, follows through on plans, and keeps their word helps build a sense of safety and trust.

- Adaptability

No two days are the same. A great support worker knows how to adjust when the plan needs to change, when sensory needs shift, or when emotions run high. Flexibility doesn't mean saying yes to everything. It means reading the moment and being willing to pivot without judgement.

- Active listening and honest communication

Listening isn’t just about hearing the words someone says. It’s about paying attention to what’s said, what's left unsaid, and tuning into tone and body language. Support workers who check in instead of assuming, and who offer clear and respectful communication, stand out.

An example of this in practice might be a young person who’s usually excited about their art group, but one day they seem withdrawn. Rather than pushing them to go, a thoughtful support worker might pause, check in gently, and offer a quiet walk or some drawing at home instead. That shift, built on noticing and listening, helps the young person feel seen and cared for.

These qualities often build the foundation for long-term trust. And for young people especially, trust is what opens the door to growth and change. The right support worker can be a steady presence who encourages new experiences while respecting existing boundaries.

The Value Of Lived Experience

There’s something powerful about having someone in your corner who’s walked a similar path. When a support worker has lived experience, whether that’s through disability, caring for a loved one, or managing challenges from childhood, they bring a different kind of understanding.

For a young person, it can mean:

- Less explaining. They don’t have to justify how they feel or why they do certain things

- More connection. Knowing their support worker truly gets it builds comfort and ease

- Good modelling. Watching someone who has faced struggles and still shows up every day offers a sense of hope

Lived experience in a support role isn't about sharing everything or centring the worker’s story. It's about quiet flexibility, gentler responses, and holding space from a place of knowing. It doesn't replace training. It adds a depth that can't be taught.

In Brisbane, this can also tie into community. A support worker who’s lived nearby, who understands local services, public spaces, and the social quirks of the area, can offer insights that help reduce stress and increase confidence. Whether that’s knowing which parks tend to be quieter during school holidays or which activities are more inclusive, those details matter.

When lived experience and the right personal qualities come together, it gives young people the chance to connect with someone who helps them feel understood without having to say too much. And for many families, that’s the kind of support that means the most.

Meeting The Specific Needs Of Young People In Brisbane

Living and working in Brisbane brings with it a clear awareness of the local lifestyle, services, and culture. For young people with disability, especially those building their independence, it helps when a support worker knows their way around more than just a schedule. They know the quietest hours at South Bank, which community centres hold inclusive youth events, or how to work around school traffic near Chermside. That kind of familiarity doesn't just save time. It reduces stress and adds comfort to a young person's day.

Support workers with local knowledge can help bridge social, emotional, and practical gaps. They do this by:

- Suggesting community events or local sports clubs that match the young person's interests

- Supporting with travel training using local public transport like buses or the CityCat

- Understanding local safety concerns or sensory triggers in locations like shopping centres or playgrounds

- Introducing quiet alternatives on days when the regular plan feels overwhelming

It’s not about grand outings or jam-packed schedules. It’s about small, meaningful experiences that help young people feel included and part of their community. Whether it's visiting their favourite café where staff know their order or planning a movie night at a sensory-supported theatre session, these acts build confidence over time.

Creating safe spaces is another key part of this. Brisbane gets hot, noisy, and crowded, especially in warmer months. A good support worker doesn’t just power through. They pay attention, adjust where needed, or help the young person prepare for overstimulating settings. Their aim is to help the young person feel safe without feeling like they’re missing out.

Building Positive Relationships That Last

Relationships take time. That’s true in general life, but even more so when there are support needs involved. For young people, especially those who’ve experienced inconsistency, strong relationships start with predictability and warmth, not pressure.

Support workers who are clear, respectful, and patient tend to build trust that sticks. They don’t dominate conversations or push plans. Instead, they follow the young person’s lead, giving them space to speak up, ask questions, and express feelings freely. Parents often say they began noticing real change once their child felt like they were finally being listened to, not just managed.

Here’s how those stronger connections are often created:

- Being dependable. Showing up on time and keeping promises

- Asking instead of assuming. Checking in on emotions, preferences, and boundaries

- Encouraging choice. Supporting the young person to pick outfits, meals, or outing ideas

- Keeping things calm. Creating a no-pressure environment to avoid overwhelm

- Involving families (when needed). Working alongside caregivers to support shared goals

Over time, this kind of steady support builds the foundation for real independence. A young person might go from needing full guidance at the grocery store to handling parts of it on their own, just because they felt backed from the beginning.

And while each relationship will look different, the common thread is the feeling of safety. Not just physical safety, but emotional security. Knowing mistakes won’t bring judgement, knowing feedback is welcome, and knowing their supporter is right there, no matter what.

Empowering Growth Through The Right Support

Support workers play such a layered, important role in the lives of young people with disability. The right worker doesn’t just assist with daily tasks. They guide without pushing, stand by without overshadowing, and open up opportunities that young people may not have known were possible. Their impact often goes far beyond the hours on the clock.

In Brisbane, having someone who knows the area, connects well with young people, and brings their own lived experience makes that support feel more real and human. They aren't just workers following a plan. They’re steady influences helping young people grow at a pace that's right for them.

Whether it's gaining confidence in public, developing routines at home, or simply trying something new without fear, the presence of the right person can make a big difference. The building blocks of confidence, independence, and connection often start with a good relationship. And when that foundation is built properly, young people can begin to make choices that shape their future on their own terms.

For families and coordinators looking to build stronger connections for young people in Brisbane, working with a support worker with lived experience in Brisbane can make all the difference. Their insight into local life and personal challenges helps nurture real relationships and everyday progress. Learn how Horizons Support Network provides personalised support through services shaped around your needs.