Why do you want to become a support worker?

Becoming a support worker is not just a career choice; it is an opportunity to make a profound impact in the lives of individuals facing various challenges. The decision to embark on this path is driven by a deep desire to foster empathy, extend a helping hand, and play a meaningful role in transforming lives for the better.

What is the role of a support worker?

The role of a support worker is to help people who cannot manage without assistance in their day-to-day living and offer personalised care for each individual they work with. The job differs to that of a care assistant with responsibilities often including: household tasks, shopping, preparing meals and helping those in need to get dressed. Generally, parts of daily life that people with disabilities or learning disabilities might find difficult. Medication administration and cleaning duties are extra support worker roles that you may be asked to assist with.

4 reasons to become a support worker

1. You’ll make a positive difference: support workers have the incredible privilege of making a positive difference in the lives of the individuals they assist. Whether working with individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, or the elderly, support workers can empower and enable others to lead fulfilling lives. The satisfaction derived from witnessing the progress, growth, and newfound independence of those we support is immeasurable.
2. There’s a lot of job satisfaction: it goes without saying that being a support worker is an incredibly rewarding career choice. Not only are you making a difference to the person you are supporting, but you will gain a lot of personal job satisfaction too. The role of a support worker is varied, so no two days will be the same. There is a great deal of job security and also career progression for those who have a good work ethic and a desire to succeed. 
3. You’ll build meaningful connections: as a support worker, you’ll naturally be good at building relationships. By establishing trust, rapport and a genuine relationship with the individuals you care for, you’ll create a sense of connectedness that positively enhances their lives. Working as part of a healthcare team, you’ll also build a strong sense of teamwork with the people you work with. 
4. You’ll better your life and those of others: working in health and social care, you’ll learn a huge amount – about the people you work with and also about yourself. Being a support worker gives you the chance to work with people from all walks of life with varying needs of support. You’ll receive training to help you navigate the job of working in the care home sector, but you’ll also discover strengths and skills you never knew you had.

How to become a support worker

Once you’ve decided that you have the qualities and the desire to become a support worker, the opportunities are limitless. But first, you need to prepare yourself to get the job! Here’s how:

Training and experience: there are many routes into the social care sector and it’s not always about qualifications. If you have GCSEs you do have the chance to go on to study a diploma or NVQ. However, if your grades aren’t that strong, you cold try to find an apprenticeship, undertake some volunteer work or an opportunity to train on the job. And don;t forget, there are plenty of transferable skills you can develop that would be useful in a care work role.

Interview skills: before anyone employs you as a support worker, you will need to have a support worker interview. There will be some tricky questions to answer, but it’s not about catching you out – it’s about having a two-way conversation to see if you are the right fit for the role. Nobody enjoys interviews so it always helps to have some answers already prepared – here are some classic interview questions and answers to help you prepare:

1. Why do you want to be a support worker?

Since I was a teenager, I’ve loved helping and caring for people. I volunteered at a care home in my community and I really enjoyed talking to the residents and hearing their stories. That’s when I realised I enjoy working with people. I understand the challenges involved as a support worker, but my passion to make a difference to people’s lives is what motivates me to make this my career choice.

2. What skills do you have that would be useful as a support worker?

In my role as a volunteer care home worker, I developed strong skills in communication, patience, empathy, and resilience. Working with vulnerable people can be extremely challenging but I have the ability to cope with stressful situations. I have a lot of empathy towards people and want to make a significant difference in their well-being. 

3. What makes you stand out from other candidates for this support worker role?

My passion to help people is what helps me stand out. I also enjoy working as part of a team and I have strong organisational skills. In school, I used to run an after-school club for students struggling with their maths, and I was part of the school orchestra. I am extremely hard-working and ensure I put maximum effort into everything I do. Because of this, I believe I have the right skills to become a successful Support Worker and I am keen to learn and develop these skills further.

To help you find the ideal support worker role, visit our latest healthcare jobs. We have support worker role opportunities all over the country, and lots of top tips and advice on how to get you the job you’ve been looking for!