Disability Support Workers Insurance:
here’s why you need it!
Being a disability support worker can be a rewarding yet challenging career. After all, the care and support you provide to your clients gives them the opportunity of living a fulfilled and enriched life. However, the role of a support worker carries a huge amount of responsibility and although you need to be on top of your game at all times, making mistakes is an unfortunate reality of life.
Here are the top 5 reasons why it’s important to protect yourself with the right insurance.
#1.
Protect against claims of negligence, malpractice and professional misconduct
You are in a unique position of trust. As a support worker in the self-management field, the service you provide comes with an expectation of a high level of professionalism. Often you are the one having to think and act on behalf of your clients and, if something goes wrong, you could be held liable. Somebody could make a claim against you if you fail to provide the agreed services or if you make a mistake.
Professional Indemnity insurance provides you, as an NDIS self-management disability worker, with essential protection against financial losses for legal action taken against you as a result of a breach of your professional duty. It covers legal and defence costs, court attendance costs, public relations costs, and damages awarded against you.
#2.
Protect against 3rd party injury and property damage
When you’re working as a disability support worker, you’re always in close contact with your clients, their families and members of the public. This means you are also exposed to the possibility of injuring someone or causing property damage.
Let’s say you’re working under high pressure and forget to clean up that spill on the floor. The next thing you know, somebody has slipped over, injuring themselves and subsequently blaming you. They commence legal action against you and you’re found liable for the cost of compensation and any medical treatment they may require.
If you hold Public Liability insurance it will protect you against such claims by covering your legal and defence costs, court attendance costs, medical costs of the person who was injured and compensation awarded to them.
#3.
Safeguard your personal assets
Similar to most gardeners, cleaners and tradespeople, if you’re working as a sole trader with your own ABN you are personally responsible, both legally and financially, for all aspects of your work. In other words, you have unlimited liability which means your personal assets are at risk of being seized if things go wrong. Ouch!
However if you have the right insurance it’s your insurer who pays and not you (providing the claim falls within the parameters of the policy), which means your assets are safe too. Phew!
#4.
It’s highly recommended by Bespoke Lifestyles and the NDIA
Not only do Bespoke Lifestyles recommend you have the appropriate insurance, it’s highly recommended by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). The NDIA even specifically advises those who are a part of the NDIS program and their families to check that the contract support workers they employ hold the required qualifications and appropriate insurance.
Without a doubt, it’s in your best interests to be covered. It’s also in your client’s best interests too, so be prepared to provide them with a copy of your insurance certificate. Insurance is designed to protect everyone who is involved in NDIS self-management.
#5.
Maintain a professional standard and protect your reputation
While insurance may not be mandatory, the image that you portray as a disability support worker sends an important message to our clients. As a disability support worker, your reputation means everything. Holding the relevant insurance provides credibility and assists you in upholding a professional standard. It also allows you to pursue legal avenues to clear your name and defend your reputation in the case of an alleged breach of professional misconduct.
Maintaining a Professional Liability Insurance package is not only a best practice standard but a necessity
It’s important to ensure you are fully covered before you commence working. The minute you provide your services is the minute you’re exposed to risk. BizCover has partnered with Bespoke Lifestyles to offer its members the best possible insurance protection from DUAL Australia, which meets the specific needs of disability support workers.
The packages includes both Professional Indemnity and Public Liability cover, and is priced from just $235.53 per annum, based on an annual turnover of $50,000.
To obtain the Disability Support Worker combined package simply follow the steps below:
1. Visit bizcover.com.au/bespokelifestyles or call 1300 249 268
2. Enter your occupation as ‘Disability or Aged Care Services’ and answer a few basic details about your business
3. Select the DUAL Australia policy and ensure the code ‘BSPOKE’ is entered into the ‘Partner Code’ field upon checkout
Bespoke Lifestyles can help you with your NDIS support coordination, contact us today.
Disclaimer: Bespoke Lifestyles earns a commission from BizCover for all policies that are sold via the Bespoke Lifestyles’ referral program. Bespoke Lifestyles is a registered not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee (ABN 49 160 033 278). The information provided does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information and to ensure the product suits your needs.