How to become a support worker in the UK

What does a support worker do?

The National Careers Service lists support worker as another title for a care worker. It says "Care workers support vulnerable people with their daily activities and help them to live as independently as possible." You could work in an adult care home, in people's own homes or overnight in someone's home. In the NHS, the National Careers Service lists support worker as another title for a healthcare assistant.

Do you need qualifications to become a support worker?

Usually not to start. The National Careers Service says you can apply for care worker jobs directly, and that if you get the role your employer gives you training on the job. Some employers ask for GCSE English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, but "many will offer training to applicants who have the right personal qualities."

Among the skills you need, the National Careers Service names sensitivity and understanding, a desire to help people, staying calm under pressure and good verbal communication. A driving licence helps for home care roles.

How to become a support worker: step by step

1. Get some experience if you can. Volunteering with a care home, charity, hospice or the NHS helps, but it is not a requirement.
2. Apply for a support worker or care worker role. Apply directly, or look for an apprenticeship such as the Adult Care Worker Level 2 or Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship (National Careers Service).
3. Pass the background checks. Your employer normally arranges the enhanced DBS check. Some settings ask you to be 18 for an enhanced DBS check or lone working.
4. Complete your induction. Employers commonly use the Care Certificate standards for induction: you learn the knowledge, then your employer observes you showing the standards at work and signs you off.
5. Take a qualification to progress. With experience, the National Careers Service says you can become a senior care worker or palliative care assistant, and move into care team supervision or management with further qualifications. The Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care is the Lift College diploma for senior care workers.

What is the Care Certificate?

Skills for Care says the Care Certificate standards can be used if you are "new to care" and to shape induction. Skills for Care, NHS England and Skills for Health developed them together, and "There are now 16 standards" since the update in March 2025, including a new standard on awareness of learning disability and autism.

You learn the knowledge online, then your employer observes the practical parts at work and awards the Care Certificate, usually on the national template. Lift College's Care Certificate course teaches the knowledge behind all 16 standards in 16 short modules (12 hours of learning) for £19.99, pay once, with a CPD certificate issued by Lift College the day you pass.

How to become a mental health support worker

Mental health support worker roles are support worker jobs in services for people with mental health needs. The National Careers Service has no separate profile for the role, so the route is the same: apply, pass the checks and complete your induction. Read each job advert for what that employer asks for.

To show interest before you apply, Lift College's Mental Health Awareness Training is 1 hour of learning in 6 modules for £19.99, pay once. It covers spotting the signs that someone is struggling, starting a supportive conversation and signposting to NHS 111, Samaritans and Shout. Once you are in a care role, the Lift College Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care includes an optional unit, Understand mental health.

How much do support workers earn?

In England, the National Careers Service gives care workers an average of £20,000 a year as a starter and £25,000 with experience, for 35 to 45 hours a week. Senior care workers average £24,000 to £29,000, and healthcare assistants £25,000 to £27,000. The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over has been £12.71 an hour since April 2026 (GOV.UK).

Moving up: the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care

When you are ready to lead shifts, supervise others and hold care plans, the next step is a Level 3 qualification. Lift College's Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care is the TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF), 610/6988/7, on Skills for Care's approved list:

• Studied online with a named UK tutor and assessor, and assessed by portfolio with in person observation on shift. There are no exams.
• You must be in paid or voluntary work in an adult care setting for the whole course, so your practice can be observed.
• Typically 12 to 18 months at 8 to 12 hours a week, for anyone aged 16 or over (Level 2 English and maths recommended).
• £69.99 a month or £713.99 a year, with all fees included, a 7-day free trial and 14-day money back on every payment.

Compare every course in the health and social care hub. For the full career picture, read how to become an adult care worker and how to become a care worker with no experience.