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.
A Support Worker in a charity provides assistance and guidance to people who need help due to age, disability, mental health issues, or challenging life circumstances. The role often involves working directly with individuals, helping them access services, offering emotional support, and encouraging independence. Duties may include helping with daily activities, organising group activities, supporting clients in appointments, and liaising with families and other professionals. Support workers are usually employed by charities or not-for-profit organisations and work in settings such as community centres, clients' homes, or helplines. The role requires empathy, patience, good communication skills, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in people's lives.
Support workers in charity organisations typically earn between £18,000 and £25,000 per year in the UK, depending on experience and location.
There are over 100,000 support worker roles in the UK, with many positions offered by charities and voluntary organisations.
Most support workers work between 35 and 40 hours per week, with some part-time and flexible roles available.
Supports individuals experiencing homelessness by providing advice, arranging accommodation, and helping with access to essential services.
Works specifically with young people who care for family members, offering practical advice, emotional support, and organising activities.
Assists refugees and asylum seekers by helping them settle into the community, access education, and navigate local services.
Find out what support workers do in different charity settings.
Support workers in charities help people with daily living, emotional support, advocacy, and accessing services. They work with a range of individuals, such as children, adults with learning disabilities, or the homeless. Reading job descriptions on charity websites and speaking to people working in the sector can provide valuable insights.
Identify types of charities you might want to work for, such as those focused on homelessness, mental health, or disabilities.
Charities can be local, national, or international and support a wide variety of people. Take time to browse charity websites, attend local events, and look for organisations whose missions match your values and interests. Volunteering at events can also help you understand the work environment.
Volunteer with local charities or community organisations to build practical experience.
Volunteering is a great way to get a feel for the role and develop essential skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork. Many charities offer short-term or flexible opportunities for new volunteers. This can also help you build a network of contacts in the sector.
Work on communication, listening, and problem-solving skills, which are vital for support workers.
Support workers need to be patient, understanding, and good at listening. You can develop these skills through volunteering, part-time jobs, or extracurricular activities like sports teams or school clubs. Consider taking short courses in areas like safeguarding or first aid, which are often looked for by employers.
Look into courses such as Health and Social Care at college or apprenticeships in social care.
While some support worker roles do not require formal qualifications, having a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care can be beneficial. You can also look at apprenticeships, which provide on-the-job training and a wage. Some employers offer training once you start the job.
Search and apply for jobs with charities that provide support services.
Look for job vacancies on charity websites, local council sites, or job boards like CharityJob. Tailor your CV to highlight your volunteering experience and relevant skills. Prepare for interviews by thinking about times you have helped others and how you cope under pressure.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Support Worker (Charity). Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Support Worker (Charity) typically provides personal care and support to individuals facing various challenges, which aligns closely with the role of a Care worker. Both positions involve assisting with daily activities, promoting independence, and supporting well-being, often within a community or care setting.
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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