Support Workers - Role Description

Support Workers play a vital role in the care of patients.

Residential support workers look after the physical and mental wellbeing of children or vulnerable adults in care.

If you enjoy helping people and want to make a difference to their lives, this job could be perfect for you.

In this job, it will be important to get on with people of all ages and backgrounds and gain their trust.

You'll need to have understanding and a non-judging attitude.

Work activities
As a residential support worker your clients could include children in care, or adults with physical or learning disabilities, mental health problems, addiction issues or other emotional or social needs.

Your day-to-day tasks would vary according to the client group you work with, but might include:

 Checking each resident's needs and progress

 Providing physical care, which could include bathing, toileting, dressing and feeding

 Creating a safe and positive living environment

Setting rules for young people's behaviour

 Teaching daily living skills such as budgeting, shopping and claiming benefits providing leisure and creative activities in a safe and supportive setting.

 Helping residents to deal with problems and become independent liaising with residents' families and arranging family and home visits

Working with other health and care professionals

Skills, Interests and Qualities

To become a residential support worker, you would need to have some or all of the following:

 Excellent communication, time management and organisation skills

The ability to get on with people of all ages and backgrounds and gain their trust

 A practical and flexible approach to work

 Knowledge of the needs of different client groups

 A non-judging attitude

 The ability to work in a team and also use your initiative

Computer literacy and administration skills

The ability to assess situations and take action

Mental strength, to cope with challenging situations and clients

Knowledge of child development

An understanding of the effects of bereavement, change and loss

 A supportive attitude towards health and wellbeing, and educational achievement

An understanding of safeguarding issues around vulnerable groups.