Care support worker

care worker support worker home carer care assistant
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Social work and caring services
Care

Career outlook for care support worker

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£14,000

Experienced

£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. 
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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

Your working hours will vary, depending on your job, and may include evenings, weekends or split shifts. Part-time hours are widely available.

Environment

If you work at a residential location, you may be expected to stay overnight on a rota basis. In some jobs, for example as a personal assistant, you might live in.

Travel

If you work in the community you may need to travel between clients’ homes.

UK employment status

Full-time

50%

Part-time

45%

Self employed

6%

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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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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

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.