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What a support worker does
A support worker assists people who need help because of age, disability, mental-health needs or other circumstances. Support ranges from practical tasks and daily routines to encouraging social activities and helping people work towards personal goals.
The role is person-centred and varied: it focuses on enabling independence and choice rather than simply doing things for people, and often follows an individual support plan developed with the person and their wider team.
Core responsibilities
- Helping people follow daily routines and personal-care tasks.
- Encouraging independence, choice and social activities.
- Supporting access to appointments, education or work.
- Following individual support plans and goals.
- Observing wellbeing and reporting concerns.
- Keeping clear, respectful records.
Skills and qualities
- Empathy, patience and a non-judgemental approach.
- Good communication and active listening.
- Reliability and flexibility.
- A focus on enabling independence.
- Awareness of safeguarding and boundaries.
- Discretion and respect for confidentiality.
Typical employers and settings
- Supported-living and residential services.
- Disability and learning-disability services.
- Mental-health support services.
- Community and outreach programmes.
- Care and support staffing agencies.
How the role is recruited
- Roles are filled directly by providers or through support-staffing agencies.
- Screening focuses on values, reliability, availability and right to work.
- Background and reference checks are standard for support work.
- Interviews are values-based and may include scenario questions.
- Onboarding covers support plans, safeguarding and relevant training.
Documents involved
- A job description setting out the support provided.
- An employment contract or agency assignment terms.
- An offer letter confirming role, hours and start date.
- Background and reference checks as required.
- A safeguarding and induction-training record.
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