Residential support worker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a course at college, for example:

• Level 2 GCSE in Health and Social Care
• Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
• Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce
• Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice
• Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare

Many courses include work placements, so this could be a good way for you to get experience.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through an adult care worker intermediate apprenticeship or lead adult care worker advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

Some social care employers will be more interested in your work and life experience than formal qualifications, and you can get these whilst working. You can start working as a support worker in:

• a children's home
• a care home
• a hostel

Volunteering

You can get voluntary experience in a number of ways like:

• volunteering at a youth club
• having personal experience of caring for a family member
• doing voluntary work in a care home, nursery or relevant charity

DirectApplication

To apply directly for jobs in residential support, you'll need paid or voluntary experience in the social work and care sector.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• a desire to help people
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to work well with your hands
• concentration skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• business management skills
• physical fitness and endurance

What you'll do:

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

In this role you could:

• check the needs and progress of residents
• provide physical care, which could include bathing, toileting, dressing and feeding
• provide one-to-one advice or group support sessions
• teach daily living skills like budgeting, shopping and claiming benefits
• provide leisure and creative activities in a safe and supportive setting
• help residents to deal with problems and become independent
• talk with residents' families and arrange family and home visits

Location : You could work in the community or at an adult care home.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £30,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

41 - 43 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

Career Path:

With experience, you could take on more responsibility as a senior support worker or manager.

You could also train as a social worker.