The role of a support worker is rapidly emerging as one of the UK’s most trending fields in health and social care. By 2040, one in five people will be aged 65 or over, driving a greater need for care professionals. At the same time, rising awareness of mental and physical health is increasing demand for care.
In this guide, we’ll explore what a support worker is, their roles and responsibilities, and the qualifications needed to launch your career. We’ll also cover essential skills, salary expectations, and potential career progression in this rewarding profession.
What Is A Support Worker?
A support worker is a healthcare professional who looks after the well-being of individuals with complex or diverse needs. These include people with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, mental health needs and elderly individuals. They support people to live independently and provide physical and emotional assistance.
The exact job descriptions of a support worker differ, as each individual has unique needs and requires tailored assistance. As a support worker, you are expected to work in various settings. These settings include working in people’s homes, in health and social care settings such as care homes, and out in the community.
What Are Support Worker Roles And Responsibilities?
The role of a support worker can vary depending on the person you are working with and the setting. Regardless of the setting, your primary role is to care for and support individuals so that they can live more freely.
Here are some of the roles and responsibilities of a support worker:
- Provide physical support to the individuals, which includes helping with household chores and personal care tasks such as washing, bathing and dressing.
- Provide emotional support for an individual and their families.
- Ensure healthcare needs are met, such as doing regular checkups and administering medications.
- Teach everyday life skills such as shopping, using the transport, and paying the bills.
- Encourage the individuals to learn new hobbies and skills for personal growth and development.
- Help them take part in enjoyable activities.
- Ensure the highest standards of support by coordinating with other healthcare professionals.
What Qualifications Are Needed to Be A Support Worker?
To become a support worker, you must have basic literary and numeracy skills along with proper healthcare training. Let’s break it down in detail.
For basic literary and numeracy skills, having at least 2 GCSEs, particularly in English and Maths, is highly recommended.
Additionally, many support workers complete foundational Level 1 and Level 2 health care courses that equip them with the fundamental skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively.
Once you complete your Level 1 and 2 courses, you can choose to pursue advanced training, such as the Level 3 health and social care training, to make you even more valuable and skilled as a candidate.
Taking UK-accredited health and social care courses from a reputable institution like Lead Academy can lead to greater employment opportunities, including positions in the National Health Service (NHS).
Besides qualifications, gaining some hands-on experience via apprenticeships or volunteering can be a bonus. It demonstrates that you have a strong willingness to work in this field. You can search for apprenticeships in the UK online.
What Skills Are Needed To Be A Support Worker?
Support worker skills consist mostly of social and emotional skills. These skills can be developed once you start working. The core skills are as follows:
- A genuine interest in helping people.
- Good listening, verbal and written communication skills.
- Good problem-solving skills to adapt according to the situation.
- Excellent time management skills to support multiple people.
- Be up-to-date with the changing code of conduct and standards in the health and social care sector.
- Ability to work independently and as a team.
- Friendly attitude towards all people with diverse needs.
- Remain calm under pressure when dealing with stressful situations.
How Much Are Support Workers Paid In The UK?
A support worker gets paid an average salary of £13.61 per hour in the United Kingdom. How much you earn depends on multiple factors.
It depends on the location, experience and organisation. For example, healthcare facilities in the city centre pay more compared to facilities in rural areas. Senior support workers also tend to command higher salaries.
Is There An Opportunity For Career Progression?
There are plenty of opportunities for you to progress in your career as a support worker. Whilst being employed, you can also complete training for other higher roles.
If you gain enough experience, you can be promoted to become a senior support worker or team leader. With training, you can also progress on to become a nurse, midwife or social worker.
Conclusion
A support worker is a healthcare professional who looks after the well-being of people with diverse needs. The primary roles and responsibilities of a support worker are to care for and support individuals so that they can live more independently.
To secure your chances of employment, you need to have proper training and accredited certifications. Essential skills include empathy, communication, and caring abilities. As you become more experienced, you can command higher wages and can even progress into other clinical fields.
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