Support Worker
What you'd actually do
The work is helping with daily living, encouraging independence, supporting people to take part in activities and the community, and offering practical and emotional support. Patience, empathy, reliability and respect for each person's dignity and choices matter, since you support people through both routine days and difficult moments, sometimes with challenging behaviour.
Hours often include shifts, nights, weekends and sleep-ins, the work is physically and emotionally demanding, and pay commonly starts around the minimum wage or low end. You may work in someone's home, supported housing or the community, and the relationships and progress you help with can be hugely rewarding.
You can usually start with no qualifications and full training on the job, often towards a care certificate or apprenticeship. By law you will need an enhanced DBS check because you work with vulnerable people, and it can lead to senior support or social care roles.