what is a support worker?
Support work involves helping people with physical, emotional or mental problems to live independently. As a support worker, you provide emotional support and help your client complete their daily tasks and live fulfilled lives. The job is varied since each person has unique needs. For instance, a person with physical disabilities requires different support from someone with mental health needs.
As a support worker, you can work in a variety of settings. Some support workers work in domestic settings in people's homes which plays a role of a personal support worker, and some work in clinical settings like supported living facilities and care homes. Sometimes, you work in community settings managing facilities for people with special needs.
Would working as a support worker suit your compassionate nature and your ability to build strong relationships? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a support worker role.
support worker jobsaverage salary of a support worker
According to ONS, the average salary of a support worker is £22,485 per year. When you are new to the profession, your take-home salary is £20,614 annually. Experienced support workers have a compensation package of up to £28,275 per year. Some support workers work for the NHS and are paid in Bands. A domestic support worker's salary starts at Band 1 or 2 at £18,546 per year and increases to over £20,000 annually with experience.
Apart from the basic pay, employers offer numerous benefits, such as medical and transport allowances. The NHS usually provides better benefits, including generous paid holidays and maternity leave.
How can a support worker boost their salary?
The compensation package for support work depends on the employer. Working for the NHS earns you a lower base salary, but you enjoy generous benefits. Working for the private sector increases your salary prospects, but the benefits aren't always as good. Your experience also dictates your earning potential. If you have many years of experience, your skills will earn you more than someone at entry-level with little or no experience.
Your area of specialisation may also affect your salary. For instance, when you work in clinical settings, your earnings differ from those working in community or domestic settings.
types of support workers
Support workers have numerous specialisms depending on their work settings. Some include:
- domestic support workers: as a domestic support worker, you support people in domestic settings like private residences or homes. Your job can include supporting young people, disabled adults and older people. You assist the patients in completing their daily tasks at home and with personal care.
- clinical support workers: as a clinical support worker, you assist your patient with personal care in a medical or clinical environment like a hospital or private practice. Your job is to help the patients with their personal care routine in the hospital. For instance, you assist patients in changing into hospital gowns, using the bathroom or taking medication.
- community support workers: as a community support worker, you support patients living in challenging situations or with an impairment in communal settings, such as care homes. You help them through physical disability or mental health crises.
working as a support worker
If you enjoy tending to people's needs and love working in a flexible work environment, becoming a support worker can be a fulfilling career for you. Let's explore the responsibilities and work schedules that make this an interesting career path.
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support worker job description
Some of the tasks and responsibilities of a support worker include:
- assessing the needs of patients: as a support worker, you identify the needs of the vulnerable people you help. You listen to your patients and find out their issues and concerns. If a patient needs round-the-clock care, you should design comprehensive care plans to meet their needs. It is important to assess the care plans from time to time to ensure they are working.
- assisting with domestic chores: if you provide support to clients or patients in their homes, you help them complete domestic duties. You assist the patient with cooking and cleaning and accompany them in shopping or running errands. You ensure their life is easier and they have everything they need to get better.
- helping with personal care and providing emotional support: as a support worker, you help your clients with personal care. If the client cannot perform personal care tasks like washing or using the bathroom, you need to assist them. You also work closely with family members to provide emotional support.
- tending to patients' health needs: as a support worker, you need to take care of your clients and ensure their health needs are met. For instance, you help them follow a recommended diet and take medications on time. You also ensure they attend doctor's appointments.
- helping clients participate in recreational activities: you need to keep your patients engaged by helping them maintain social relationships. You take them to community events and other recreational activities that keep them busy and active.
- writing reports: as a support worker, you should record your clients' progress. You write reports and notes and keep a logbook of daily activities and interactions. The reports help doctors keep track of patients' progress and assess the effectiveness of treatment plans.
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work environment
As a support worker, your work environment varies depending on your client or area of specialisation. For instance, if you are a clinical support worker, your work environment is a hospital or clinical facility. Sometimes, you have to wear a uniform to work in hospitals. You work in private homes or residential areas as a domestic support worker. That means you are likely to work alone instead of in a team. Community support workers usually visit clients' residences, community centres and schools. The role involves minimal travelling when you work in private homes or hospitals, but community support workers travel a lot to different locations. Since you provide in-person care, you cannot work remotely or from home.
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who are your colleagues?
Your colleagues as a support worker may include personal support workers, care workers, care home managers and general nurses. You also work in close proximity to nursing assistants and doctors, as well as other specialists, including mental health nurses, social workers and registered nurses.
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work schedule
Vulnerable populations require 24/7 healthcare assistance. Therefore, support employers need a workforce that can reliably work non-standard hours. Expect to come across positions that require you to work evening or night shifts and weekends. Working on a night shift while residents are asleep allows you to complete other tasks like doing laundry and cleaning bathrooms. You'll also be there to handle unforeseen emergencies.
Employers offering part-time work have clients that only need a little help. Home health employers often require you to work an early shift hours two or three days during the week for each elderly or disabled client assigned to you. In-home jobs and healthcare facilities also offer full-time work.
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job outlook
Support workers have multiple options to progress in their careers. For instance, you can specialise in mental health, disabilities or drug addiction and progress to other careers in these specialisms. Some support workers become social workers with additional training or move into care home management roles. Apart from working in care homes, support workers also work for charities, especially if they have relevant experience in working with vulnerable children.
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advantages of finding a support worker job through randstad
Finding your support worker job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a support worker is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
support worker education and skills
Some of the educational qualifications of support workers include:
- college course: to become a support worker, you can do a Level 3 Diploma in health and social care or a diploma for young people's workforce. You need 4 or 5 GCSEs to join the Level 3 Diploma courses.
- apprenticeship: you can join apprenticeship programmes for adult care workers, young people and child practitioners. You need 4 to 5 GCSEs in grades 9 to 4. The apprenticeship allows you to gain work experience as you undergo training.
- work experience: you need work experience to get a job as a support worker. You can gain experience through volunteering and internship programmes.
support worker skills and competencies
Some of the support worker qualifications and needs include:
- compassion: as a support worker, you need to be compassionate. It enables you to connect well with patients and meet their needs. Compassion helps you become empathetic and show kindness to your patients.
- trust and honesty: as a support worker, you should be honest with your patients and their doctors. Honesty also helps you build trust with your clients. Trust is important for support workers since it builds good relationships with clients, and they can rely on you when in need.
- ability to motivate: as a support worker, you should build your clients' self-esteem and self-confidence. You should be able to encourage your patients to stay positive and overcome their physical and emotional limitations.
- flexibility and adaptability: in support work, every day presents new challenges and obstacles. You need to adapt to the challenges and be flexible with regular changes in your duties.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a support worker
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what does a support worker do?
A support worker assists patients and clients with personal care duties. You also help patients recover from illness.
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how much does a support worker earn?
A support worker earns an average salary of £22,485 annually, but the amount increases to £28,275 annually as you gain more experience.
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do I need qualifications to be a support worker?
Yes. How to become a support worker? You need a college qualification in care work or health and social care. You also need work experience in social care and other related roles.
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are support workers in demand?
Support workers are in demand in the UK due to the rapidly ageing population. There is already a shortage of support workers.
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do support workers do personal care?
In domestic settings, a support worker's role includes providing personal care to clients. You help them with personal grooming and household chores.
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how do I apply for a support worker vacancy?
Applying for a support worker job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our support worker job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
