Job description template
Support Worker Job Description
Support worker job description for disability, mental health and supported living roles: duties, skills and checks, with notes for the UK and Australia.
The role in brief
A support worker helps people with disabilities, mental health conditions, learning disabilities or other needs to live as independently as possible: building daily living skills, supporting personal care, health appointments, work, education and social activities, and taking part in the community. The title is widely used in the UK and Australia, including disability support worker roles funded through Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); in the US similar roles are often advertised as direct support professional or personal care aide. Support workers follow a person-centred support plan and focus on enabling people to do things themselves, alongside any personal care.
- Support each person to reach the goals in their support plan, such as cooking, budgeting, travel or work
- Help with personal care, meals and medication where trained and the plan requires it
- Support people to attend appointments, education, work, social and community activities
- Encourage independence, choice and control, and respect each person's preferences
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- Support each person to reach the goals in their support plan, such as cooking, budgeting, travel or work
- Help with personal care, meals and medication where trained and the plan requires it
- Support people to attend appointments, education, work, social and community activities
- Encourage independence, choice and control, and respect each person's preferences
- Use positive behaviour support approaches where set out in the plan
- Observe and report changes in health, wellbeing or behaviour, and follow safeguarding procedures
- Keep accurate notes and incident reports
- Work with families, carers, health professionals and coordinators involved in the person's support
Required skills
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Nice to have
Qualifications
- 1No formal qualifications required for many entry-level roles; training is provided
- 2UK (England): Care Certificate induction recommended for staff new to adult social care
- 3UK: enhanced background checks before starting (DBS checks in England and Wales)
- 4Australia: an NDIS Worker Screening Check for risk-assessed roles with registered NDIS providers; clearances last five years
- 5Vocational qualifications in health and social care, disability or individual support are an advantage
- 6Right to work in the country of employment
Compensation and environment
Work environment
Career growth
Support workers move to senior support worker, team leader, service coordinator or service manager roles. Some train as nurses, social workers, occupational therapists or behaviour support practitioners.
Common questions
What does a support worker do?
A support worker helps people with disabilities or other support needs to live independently and take part in everyday life, following a support plan that can include daily living skills, personal care, appointments and social activities.
What is the difference between a support worker and a care worker?
The roles overlap, and the UK National Careers Service lists support worker as an alternative title for care worker. In practice, support worker roles usually put more weight on building independence and community participation, while care worker roles focus more on personal care.
What does a disability support worker need in Australia?
Registered NDIS providers must make sure workers in risk-assessed roles hold an NDIS Worker Screening Check, and providers must identify those roles and keep records. Many employers also ask for a first aid certificate and relevant vocational training. Check the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for current rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
What checks are needed for support workers in the UK?
In England and Wales, employers usually require an enhanced DBS check for support work with adults or children, along with references and right to work checks. Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own disclosure schemes. This is general information, not legal advice.
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