How to become a support worker

Being a support worker is very rewarding as you spend your days helping people to live their best lives while forming amazing relationships with them. Here, we share how to become a support worker so you can start on this fulfilling career path yourself.

How to become a support worker?

If you are interested in a career within support work, here are some useful steps to find out more about the challenges and opportunities as a support worker so you can decide if it is the right career for you.

Research the role: Understand the role and the responsibilities and requirements of a support worker. Gain insights into the different areas of support work, such as disability support, mental health support, or elderly care.
Education and training: Although formal qualifications may not always be required, obtaining relevant qualifications within health and social care can enhance your prospects. Look for courses or programmes that specialise in support work.
Gain practical experience: Seek opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the field. Volunteering at local care facilities, community centres, or support organisations can provide valuable insights and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
Develop interpersonal skills: Support work involves working closely with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Strengthen your communication, empathy, and active listening skills. Learn to adapt to different situations and provide person-centred care.
Stay updated: Keep yourself informed about the latest developments and best practices in support work. Attend workshops, seminars, or conferences to expand your knowledge and network with professionals in the field.

What is a typical support worker job description?

A typical support worker job description will include the following:

Enabling service users to live their lives independently and to the fullest
Supporting individuals with daily tasks, such as shopping, where required
Forming relationships with service users and their loved ones
Helping individuals to be part of their community
Encouraging service users to socialise, try new hobbies, and take part in fun activities

At Newcross, we ask that people applying for our support worker roles have the following:

6 months UK care experience from within the past 3 years
Moving and handling and personal care experience
Brilliant people skills
The right to work in the UK

What qualifications does a support worker need?

You won’t need any specific qualifications to become a support worker as much of what you need to know will be learnt while doing the job. When you join Newcross, you’ll also be able to access plenty of learning resources and webinars so you can continue learning and refresh any knowledge that you already have. We do require 6 months of UK experience in order to apply, but this could be gained through a work placement, caring for a loved one, or volunteering.

Qualifications that may come in useful include a grade A-C in GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent) or a health and social care NVQ or diploma or equivalent). However, it could be that you work towards these further qualifications during your employment. We offer a great apprenticeship program for those in our community looking to expand their knowledge and progress in their careers.

To find out more about being a support worker, take a look at our support worker career guide, read all about what a support worker is, or find out what the responsibilities of a support worker are.

If you’re looking for a support worker role, we have vacancies across Britain! Find your next support worker job with Newcross Healthcare today!

How to become a support worker