Support workers play a vital role in the health and social care sector. They don’t just care for people; they help people grow, thrive, and feel dignified. The UK government reported that over 100,000 new social support and care workers have been recruited to meet the rising demand.
However, the sector still faces tens of thousands of unfilled roles. An ageing population makes support work one of the fastest-growing jobs in UK healthcare. There is a significant demand for skilled support workers in various care settings.
With job opportunities on the rise, this is the ideal time to enter a profession that makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Continue reading to find out more about what a support worker is, qualifications, skills, salary, and career progression.
What Is A Support Worker?
A healthcare support worker is someone who takes care of people who cannot care for themselves. For example, they take care of people with learning disabilities, autism or other physical or mental health conditions.
As a support worker, you will develop systems and strategies to help overcome their social or physical impairments.
The common roles are as follows:
- To provide physical support, such as household tasks, care planning, and personal care.
- To provide emotional support for individual and their families.
- Take care of the individual’s health, including routine check-ups and administering medications.
- To encourage and support individuals in learning a new skill.
- To teach day to day life skills such as shopping, using transport, and paying bills.
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure that all support meets the highest standards.
- To help people take part in enjoyable activities.
Why Support Worker Is One of the Fastest-Growing Jobs in UK Healthcare
Support worker is one of the fastest-growing jobs in the UK today. This is due to the rising demand for care in the healthcare sector. As the population ages, more people require help at home or in supported living, driving the need for personalised care.
A Homecare Insight report estimates that 1.3 million care workers must be recruited by 2030, with 128,000 new workers needed each year just to maintain current service levels. The demand is also driven by high turnover, an ageing workforce, and low entry barriers. This makes it a vital and easy career for those who want to step in and make a difference.
How To Become A Support Worker
To become a support worker, you need to have the right qualifications and skills. Having the right qualifications and skills will help you land a job in the NHS or other reputable organisations.
What Qualifications Are Needed To Be A Support Worker
There are no formal qualifications or entry requirements. However, employers want candidates to have basic literacy and numerical skills for documentation tasks.
Larger organisations or the NHS look for and hire applicants who have completed an accredited and recognisable health and social care course.
It implies to the employer that you have strong knowledge and clinical skills to perform all the roles and responsibilities effectively.
On the other hand, employers in care home organisations will often seek applicants who possess an adult diploma certificate.
Besides qualifications, having prior experience at a healthcare facility will give you an added advantage. A Care Certificate from the previous employer also matters a great deal.
If you have no work experience, aim for apprenticeships or volunteer roles, as they will give you the skills needed to work as a full-time worker.
What skills are needed to be a support worker?
The skills required to be a support worker are primarily physical, emotional, and social. Together, these skills help support and develop the service user. These are as follows:
- A genuine interest in helping others.
- Effective communication skills are essential for communicating with individuals and their families.
- Good listening skills are essential for understanding the patient's difficulty more effectively.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to act and adapt in emergencies.
- Good time management skills to support multiple people.
- Stay updated with the changing code of conduct and health and social care laws.
- The ability to work independently and as a team member.
- High levels of empathy, compassion and patience.
- Ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
How Much Does A Support Worker Earn?
A support worker earns 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. Experienced healthcare workers also tend to command higher salaries.
What Opportunities Are There For Career Progression?
There are plenty of opportunities for you to progress in your career as a support worker. Many organisations also offer the opportunity to study for other higher roles whilst being employed.
Some of the career progression roles stated by the National Health Service that you can become after getting certified are:
- Senior support worker/ team leader
- Nurse
- Midwifery
- Social Worker
Final Thoughts
A support worker is an individual who provides care to those who are unable to care for themselves, particularly those who are vulnerable. To become one, you need to have the right qualifications, experience, and skills.
Besides qualifications, you need good social, emotional and physical skills to perform well in your role. Once you begin work in the healthcare sector, you can progress to other roles, such as a nurse, midwife, or social worker.