You could take a college course, which may help you when looking for work.
Courses include:
- care
- health and social care
- T Level in Health
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Mental Health Support Workers play a vital role in helping people who are experiencing mental health challenges. They work in a variety of settings including hospitals, community centres, and supported living environments. Their main tasks involve providing practical and emotional support, helping individuals with daily living skills, supporting recovery plans, and encouraging social inclusion. You might help clients attend appointments, manage medication, or access community resources. This role requires compassion, patience, and strong communication skills, as you will be working closely with people facing difficult times. Training is often provided on the job, and there are opportunities to gain further qualifications such as NVQs in Health and Social Care.
Mental Health Support Workers in the UK typically earn between £19,000 and £25,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
There were over 25,000 mental health support worker positions advertised in the UK in 2023, reflecting strong demand in this sector.
Most mental health support workers work 37 to 40 hours per week, often on shift patterns including evenings and weekends.
Support young people and children with mental health challenges, working in schools, youth centres, or NHS services.
Use your own experience with mental health issues to support others in their recovery journey, often working alongside NHS or charity teams.
Visit people in their homes or local communities to provide mental health support, helping individuals access services and improve their wellbeing.
Finish your GCSEs, focusing on English and science subjects.
Most employers require at least GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 in English and science. Although A-levels are not strictly necessary, having them, particularly in health or social care, can improve your prospects. If you are a mature student or do not have GCSEs, some employers may accept equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.
Volunteer or work in a care or support role to understand the needs of vulnerable people.
Experience in roles such as care assistant, youth worker, or volunteering with mental health charities will help you develop empathy, communication skills, and a basic understanding of mental health issues. Many employers value practical experience as much as formal qualifications.
Take a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care or a related course.
These diplomas, often available at local colleges, provide a good grounding in supporting individuals with mental health needs, safeguarding, and professional conduct. Some employers may offer apprenticeships or on-the-job training where you can earn while you learn.
Undertake basic training in areas like safeguarding, first aid, and mental health awareness.
Employers usually provide mandatory training to ensure you are prepared for the role. This may include topics such as safeguarding adults, health and safety, Mental Health First Aid, and confidentiality. Continuous professional development is important in this field.
Look for vacancies in NHS Trusts, private care providers, and charities supporting mental health.
Jobs are often advertised on NHS Jobs, local authority websites, and charity job boards. Tailor your CV to highlight your qualifications, experience, and commitment to supporting people with mental health needs.
Prepare to discuss your understanding of mental health and how you can support individuals effectively.
Employers will look for candidates who are empathetic, resilient, and excellent communicators. Be ready to give examples from your experience and show a clear understanding of professional boundaries and safeguarding.
Healthcare Assistants support nurses and other healthcare professionals in hospitals or care homes, helping patients with personal care, mobility, and daily activities.
Social Workers provide support, advice, and protection to vulnerable children and adults, working with families and other professionals to safeguard wellbeing.
Counsellors offer talking therapies to help people explore feelings, cope with challenges, and improve their mental health in a structured and supportive environment.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Mental Health Support Worker. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Mental Health Support Worker and a Care Worker both provide support and assistance to individuals with diverse needs, often within community or residential settings. Both roles require compassion, interpersonal skills, and basic knowledge of health and wellbeing to improve the quality of life for their clients.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a college course, which may help you when looking for work.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a care organisation or the NHS.
Apprenticeship options include:
These can take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine workplace training with study in the classroom.
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
You can volunteer with an organisation that supports vulnerable people, like a care home, charity, hospital or hospice. This can help you when applying for paid work.
You can find volunteering opportunities through:
You can apply for care worker jobs directly. If you get the role, you'll be given on-the-job training by your employer.
It's important to be kind, caring and have a respectful attitude towards people who need care and support.
Some employers might want you to have GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent. However, many will offer training to applicants who have the right personal qualities.
Time spent caring for someone you know also counts as having experience in a caring role.
You can find out more about careers in care from:
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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