Summary
- Average Salary: Higher than average at £24,000 to £30,000 per year
- Key Duty: You support children with emotional and behavioural difficulties
- Strict Rule: You must complete the Level 3 Diploma within 2 years by law
Career & Jobs
A Support Worker is a social care professional who helps vulnerable individuals live independently. Unlike a Care Assistant who focuses on physical care, a Support Worker focuses on enablement by helping adults or children with learning disabilities, autism, or emotional trauma to manage their daily lives. The role involves 'doing with' rather than 'doing for', covering everything from teaching life skills and budgeting to providing emotional stability and behavioural support.
The salary for a Support Worker is between £24,000 and £32,000 per year.
| Role Level | Yearly Salary | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| New Starter | £24,000 to £27,000 | £12.50 to £14.00 |
| Qualified Level 3 | £28,000 to £32,000 | £14.50 to £16.50 |
| Sleep In Shift | £50 to £80 per night | Fixed rate |
Salaries in this sector are typically 20 to 30 percent higher than in elderly care due to the challenging nature of the behaviour you manage. This is one of the 4 career paths in our career progression guide - compare it to management, nursing, and specialist routes.
The main duties of a Support Worker are daily routine management, behaviour management, activities, and report writing.
Ofsted rules are very strict. You can start without qualifications but you must gain them quickly.
We will search for you.
Offered me Senior Lead! Finally off minimum wage after 3 years.
Got the job. £1.20/hr rise AND it's a 10 min walk.
Got the Senior role. £2/hr rise. Crying actual tears rn.
Finally starting my NVQ next month!!
First Saturday off in 8 months. Actually took my kids to the park.
Was scared to leave after 6 years. Should've done it sooner.
Offered me Senior Lead! Finally off minimum wage after 3 years.
Got the job. £1.20/hr rise AND it's a 10 min walk.
Got the Senior role. £2/hr rise. Crying actual tears rn.
Finally starting my NVQ next month!!
First Saturday off in 8 months. Actually took my kids to the park.
Was scared to leave after 6 years. Should've done it sooner.
Didn't skip a break once this week. First time in years.
My back already feels better. No more 12-hour shifts without a sit down.
Manager literally told me to go take my break. Nearly fell over.
Called in sick and didn't get guilt tripped. Wild.
Got the exact shifts I asked for. Didn't think that was possible.
My new manager actually listens. Still in shock tbh.
Didn't skip a break once this week. First time in years.
My back already feels better. No more 12-hour shifts without a sit down.
Manager literally told me to go take my break. Nearly fell over.
Called in sick and didn't get guilt tripped. Wild.
Got the exact shifts I asked for. Didn't think that was possible.
My new manager actually listens. Still in shock tbh.
Offered me Senior Lead! Finally off minimum wage after 3 years.
Got the job. £1.20/hr rise AND it's a 10 min walk.
Got the Senior role. £2/hr rise. Crying actual tears rn.
Finally starting my NVQ next month!!
First Saturday off in 8 months. Actually took my kids to the park.
Was scared to leave after 6 years. Should've done it sooner.
Didn't skip a break once this week. First time in years.
My back already feels better. No more 12-hour shifts without a sit down.
Manager literally told me to go take my break. Nearly fell over.
Called in sick and didn't get guilt tripped. Wild.
Got the exact shifts I asked for. Didn't think that was possible.
My new manager actually listens. Still in shock tbh.
Written by
PlainSight Team
Care Home Career Specialists