Person-centred active support helps people take part in their own lives. It focuses on doing tasks with participants rather than doing everything for them, while providing the right level of assistance for each person and each situation.
The Get My Course Person-Centred Active Support short course introduces practical ways to create participation opportunities throughout the day. Learn how small moments—such as choosing clothes, pouring a drink, sorting items or pressing a button—can build capability, choice and confidence.
Explore the four foundations of active support: little and often participation, graded assistance, recognising that every moment has potential, and respecting choice and preference. The course applies these principles to personal care, meals, domestic tasks, community activities and everyday routines.
You will also learn how to document participation clearly, notice when active support is not being implemented and raise concerns through the appropriate workplace channels.
Practical resources you can keep and use whenever needed.
Revisit key information about active support, graded assistance, participation opportunities and documentation.
Reinforce your learning and test your understanding through practical, non-graded activities.
Apply active support during everyday routines and check that participation and choice are not overlooked.
Course outcomes
Explain the purpose of person-centred active support
Shift from completing tasks for participants to doing tasks with them
Create small participation opportunities throughout a shift
Use graded assistance from natural cues through to physical prompts
Provide only the level of help a participant needs to succeed
Support choice, preference and control during everyday activities
Identify participation opportunities in personal care, meals and domestic tasks
Encourage involvement in community activities and social interactions
Record specific information about participation and assistance
Recognise and raise concerns when active support is inconsistent or absent
On the job
A participant is getting ready in the morning.
Offer choices about clothing, products and the order of steps, then provide only the assistance needed.
Breakfast is being prepared.
Invite the participant to choose food, pour milk, stir, set the table or complete another suitable step.
Laundry needs to be folded.
Break the task into manageable parts and support the participant to complete the steps they can do.
A participant is going on an outing.
Support them to choose the destination, navigate, select items and take part in social interactions.
A participant is waiting while workers complete tasks.
Look for a meaningful action they can take instead of automatically doing everything for them.
A person appears less engaged than usual.
Notice the change, check whether assistance or the environment needs review and raise concerns appropriately.
You are writing shift notes.
Record what the participant did, the assistance provided and how they responded.
Different workers use different approaches.
Support consistent implementation so the participant experiences predictable opportunities and expectations.
Six simple steps
After successfully meeting the course requirements, learners will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Get My Course Person-Centred Active Support short course. You will also have your downloadable Course Pack for continued learning and workplace reference.
Certificate of Completion
Awarded once you meet all course requirements.
This is non-accredited training. The Certificate of Completion is not a nationally recognised qualification or Statement of Attainment.
Everyday support can either increase a person’s participation or unintentionally reduce it. When workers complete every task automatically, people may have fewer opportunities to practise skills, express preferences and influence their own routines.
Active support makes participation part of ordinary life. Small, regular opportunities can help build confidence and capability without turning the day into a series of formal training activities.
Consistent, accurate documentation helps the team understand changes in capability, preferences and support needs. It also helps identify when plans, assistance levels or workplace practices need to be reviewed.
Person-centred active support is an approach that helps people participate in everyday activities with the right level of assistance. It respects each person’s choices, abilities and preferences.
“Doing with” means the participant takes part in the task while the worker provides appropriate support. The worker does not automatically complete the entire task for them.
It means offering brief opportunities to participate throughout the day rather than relying on one long activity or formal practice session.
Graded assistance is a hierarchy of prompts that begins with the least intrusive support, such as a natural cue or an expectant pause, and increases only when necessary.
The course is designed for disability support workers, SIL workers, community support workers, casual and agency staff, team leaders and people preparing to enter disability support work.
You can start anytime. Enrol online and begin learning when it suits you.
The course fee is $47.
No. This is a non-accredited Professional Development Short Course. Successful learners receive a Certificate of Completion.
No. Every moment can hold a participation opportunity. Personal care, meals, household tasks, community activities and ordinary routines can all support involvement.
Respect the person’s communication, preferences and choices. Consider whether the task, environment or support approach can be adjusted, document what was tried and follow the relevant support plan and workplace process.
Record what the participant did, what assistance was provided and how they responded. Use specific, participant-focused observations rather than generic statements such as “good participation.”
Document the change and raise it with the appropriate supervisor or team leader so the support approach can be reviewed.
Yes. Download the Reference Guide, Workbook and Workplace Checklist and keep them for future reference alongside current support plans and workplace procedures.
I recently finished my Certificate 1V in Training and Assessment with Getmycourse. They have been amazing; tutors and administrators were helpful .
The training and assessment improved how I deliver training, organise sessions, and conduct assessments. This qualification has given me more confidence and strengthened my professional skills.
Their approachable teaching style, clear communication, and constructive feedback were instrumental in helping me successfully complete the course.
Learn to create meaningful participation opportunities, respect individual choice and help people build confidence through everyday activities.
Enrol now
Chat with a Course Advisor
Have a question before you enrol? Send us your details and query below.
