Care support worker
Career outlook for care support worker
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£14,000
£14,000
Experienced
£25,000
£25,000
Currently employed in Scotland
74,200
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
In this role, you would care for people who need support with daily activities like dressing, shopping and housework. This could include children, people with physical or learning disabilities, older people or families.
You’d talk to people about their needs with sensitivity and help them with tasks that will make their lives easier and happier. You might do this in people’s homes, in sheltered housing, at day centres or in places like nursing homes.
Depending on where you work, you could:
- get to know the individuals you care for, their interests and their needs
- help with daily personal care like washing, dressing, using the toilet and eating
- complete general household tasks such as housework, laundry and shopping
- help people with their money, pay bills and write letters
- plan fun activities to do
- help people travel to and from a residential home — such as taking a young person to a local college
As well as helping the individual, you might also help other family members get used to new caring responsibilities.
Working with other health and social care professionals, you would arrange tailored care and development plans for each person and work to health and safety guidelines.
Most positions in this role will pay an hourly wage, though some may be salaried.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
50%
Part-time
45%
Self employed
6%
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Find a jobTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Resilience
- Cooperating
- Supporting
- Listening
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Empathising
- Respecting
- Social conscience
- Attention to detail
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Foundation Apprenticeships
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.
Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Qualifications
You'll need an SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare (SCQF Level 6). You can work towards your qualification on the job or through a Modern Apprenticeship. Your employer would support you with time to complete your qualification.
You can also enter this role by completing an HNC in Social Services (SCQF Level 7) at college.
Useful subjects
- English
- Maths
- Care
- Childcare and development
- Health and food technologies
You will also need
You would register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and have approved membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.
Helpful to have
A driving licence is useful and may be required for some roles.