responsibilities of education support worker

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Becoming an Educational Support Worker: Key Tips & Insights

Understanding diverse learning needs in education, principles of inclusive education, working with children in education, key attributes to be an effective support worker, daily duties of educational support workers, tips for thriving as an educational support workers, how to get started.

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Do you love children? Have you thought about supporting children with disability to learn and grow? Is it time for a career where you can really make a difference?

Many Individual Support Workers and Disability Support Workers provide support to students in schools, focusing on the individual needs of each student. Every day offers a unique experience to support children and be a guiding influence on their educational journey.

Acquiring a qualification is the first step in gaining a successful and fulfilling career as a support worker. This equips workers with the skills needed to make a significant difference in the lives of students with diverse learning needs, and to contribute to creating inclusive and supportive educational environments.

Many children require support in the classroom, some of whom will have a diagnosis such as autism, ADHD, down syndrome, sensory processing disorders, physical disability and/or a learning disability.

Understanding different types of disabilities is important, however the most empowering support approaches focus on each child according to their individual strengths and specific learning needs.

Inclusive Education in Mainstream Schools: Inclusive education is a principle which aims to provide all students with the opportunity to learn together in a mainstream setting. It recognises the right of every child to be included and sees diversity as a positive, rather than a negative. The principle of inclusive education values the uniqueness of each student.

Inclusive education aims to ensure every student has access to quality education and receives the supports they need to succeed. This includes:

• Attending their local school and to be welcomed
• Accessing and participating in high-quality education and fully engaging in the curriculum
• Learning in a safe and supportive environment, free from discrimination
• Achieving academic and social milestones with supports tailored to meet individual learning needs

Segregated Education in Special Schools/Special Development Schools: Schools specifically designed to cater for students with disabilities. They may provide a modified curriculum, specialised equipment, therapy areas, sensory rooms and adaptive technology. Support workers can choose to work in all levels of education, from early childhood centres to primary and secondary school, and even in further education such as TAFEs and universities. Wherever there are students requiring learning support, there are employment opportunities.

People with a qualification such as Certificate III in Individual Support and Certificate IV in Disability often choose to work in schools because they love working with children and have a passion for education. They want to make a positive impact on the lives of students and support them to achieve personal and academic goals. It also provides a flexible career path with many employment opportunities.

A support worker needs to excel in communication.

• Communication: The role includes communicating clearly with students in the classroom, and is essential ingredient in effective collaboration with teachers, colleagues, parents and families.
• Empathy & Patience: Empathy and patience are also important attributes to have. Understanding the challenges and feelings of students enables the worker to provide emotional support and create a nurturing environment for students to learn and grow.
• Respect: Having respect for diversity is important as each student will have their own unique strengths and challenges. Respect for diversity and an understanding of cultural and individual differences are key attributes for support workers in an education setting.

Daily duties of educational support workers can vary depending on the specific role and the needs of the students they support, but may include assisting with instructions, implementing education and behaviour support plans, providing one-on-one support, adapting materials, using assistive technology, monitoring and assessment of student progress and social inclusion support.

In some situations, an educational support worker will also support students with personal care and the use of specialised equipment.

Build Strong Relationships

Develop positive, respectful and trusting relationships with students, teachers, colleagues and families. Effective support is based on strong relationships.

Communication is Key

Use active listening, empathy, clarity and respect when communicating to establish a positive relationship with students, colleagues and families. Strong communication skills bring people together and break down barriers to inclusion.

Be Flexible and Adaptable

In this role, no two days are the same – expect the unexpected! Regularly adjust your support strategies to meet the changing needs of students and have a positive mindset to change.

Encourage Independence

Empowering students to develop independence is essential, especially when working with students with disabilities. Setting clear expectations, breaking tasks into small steps and offering choices enables students to learn independence and achieve individual goals.

Utilising Assistive Technology and Tools

Many students use assistive technology in their learning environment, particularly in special schools. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices such as speech-generating devices or communication boards can assist students with complex communication needs to express themselves. Other types of technology include screen readers, graphic organisers, reading and writing software, educational apps, adaptive learning platforms and cognitive aids.

Each student should be supported to use assistive technology according to their individual needs. This will empower them to overcome barriers, achieve educational goals and engage in the learning process with confidence.

Intercare Training can support you with everything you need.

There are two courses to choose from:

• CHC33021 – Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability & Ageing)
• CHC43121 – Certificate IV in Disability

Whilst both courses will give you the skills to support students, some employers may prefer workers to have Certificate IV level.

• Credits: If you start with the Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), this will provide you with credits which, on completion, can be applied to the Certificate IV in Disability qualification
• Rolling starts: Start your new career today! Intercare offers immediate starts so you can get going right now
• More opportunities: Both qualifications also give you the skills to work in areas other than education, such as in disability organisations, in people’s homes, in accommodation settings and in community. There is currently a shortage of well-trained support workers in Australia, so now is the perfect time to make a start
• Requirements: All students must obtain a police check, working with children check and other requirements as advised
• Placement: Both courses include practical classes and placement so you can gain real skills and confidence as you learn

If you have a passion for working with children, enjoy a fun and ever-changing workplace and are a great communicator, this is the job for you. You can help shape the future of students, making a real difference in their lives. Start your new career today and be part of the positive change in the world of education.

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10 Responsibilities of Education Support Workers in Australia

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Introduction:

Education Support Workers (ESWs) play a critical role in the Australian education landscape, acting as invaluable allies to teachers and students in primary and secondary schools across the country. As essential members of the educational community, ESWs provide essential support in various aspects of school life, ensuring that students receive the attention and assistance necessary for academic success. These professionals, often known as teacher aides or education assistants, work closely with teachers, administrative staff, and other educational personnel to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.

In Australia, ESWs often hold qualifications such as the Certificate III in School Based Education Support or the Certificate IV in School Based Education Support. Alternatively, they may have completed a Teacher Assistant Course. These education support courses are designed to provide ESWs with the knowledge, skills, and tools required to perform their roles effectively and make a tangible difference in the lives of students.

In this comprehensive and engaging article, we will delve into the ten main responsibilities of ESWs, shedding light on their crucial role within the School Based Education Support industry in Australia. Drawing on factual data and insights, we will explore the essential duties of these professionals, focusing on topics such as classroom support, special needs assistance, behavioural management, and student advocacy. This article aims to provide a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of Education Support Workers, highlighting the significance of their contribution to the Australian education system.

Supporting classroom learning:

In the dynamic and fast-paced world of education, providing robust classroom support is a cornerstone of the Education Support Worker’s (ESW) role. These dedicated professionals work diligently alongside teachers, contributing to the creation of a well-organized, efficient, and engaging learning environment for students.

A key aspect of supporting classroom learning involves assisting teachers in the delivery of lessons and the facilitation of learning activities. ESWs contribute to the preparation of instructional materials, the setup of resources, and the organization of the learning space. They also help students comprehend the curriculum by offering clarification, guidance, and individualized support when needed.

In Australia, the demand for ESWs has grown significantly in recent years. According to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook, the number of people working as education aides (including ESWs) increased from 69,100 in 2014 to an estimated 89,000 in 2019. This growth reflects the recognition of the importance of ESWs in enhancing student learning experiences and supporting teachers in their day-to-day duties.

Assisting students with special needs:

Some ESWs may work specifically with students who have disabilities, learning difficulties, or other special needs. In this capacity, they may help implement tailored learning plans and adapt teaching methods to suit each student’s needs. The Certificate III in Education Support and Certificate IV in School Based Education Support both cover strategies for working with students with special needs.

Providing one-on-one support:

ESWs may be responsible for providing one-on-one support to students who require additional assistance. This can involve helping with reading, writing, math, or other subjects. By completing a teacher assistant course, ESWs gain the skills and knowledge necessary to support students in their learning journey effectively.

Behaviour management:

In the diverse and dynamic realm of education, effective behaviour management is essential for creating a safe, orderly, and productive learning environment. Education Support Workers (ESWs) play a significant role in maintaining this positive atmosphere, working in tandem with teachers and other school staff to address and manage behavioural issues that may arise.

Effective behaviour management is not only vital for maintaining a conducive learning environment but also for fostering students’ personal and social development. According to a 2017 report by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), the quality of students’ behaviour is a strong predictor of their academic performance, mental well-being, and future life outcomes.

Education Support Workers contribute to behaviour management in various ways. They may be responsible for implementing and monitoring behavioural support plans tailored to individual students or assisting teachers in managing classroom behaviour through proactive strategies, such as setting clear expectations, establishing routines, and reinforcing positive behaviours.

ESWs also play a crucial role in addressing behavioural issues by working closely with students, understanding the underlying causes of their behaviour, and providing appropriate support and guidance. This can involve collaborating with teachers, school counsellors, and other professionals to develop strategies and interventions aimed at promoting positive behaviour change.

Monitoring and evaluating student progress:

Education Support Workers are responsible for monitoring and evaluating student progress, providing feedback to teachers, and helping to identify areas where students may need additional support. This requires a strong understanding of educational assessment and evaluation techniques, which can be gained through relevant education support courses.

Supporting students’ social and emotional well-being:

Education Support Workers (ESWs) play a pivotal role in nurturing the social and emotional well-being of students, which is a critical aspect of their overall educational experience. As compassionate and empathetic professionals, ESWs are well-equipped to provide emotional support and guidance to students, fostering a positive and inclusive school environment where learners can thrive.

A strong foundation in social and emotional well-being is crucial for students, as it impacts their ability to cope with challenges, build relationships, and engage in learning. In fact, a 2015 study by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) revealed that students who have a higher sense of social and emotional well-being are more likely to achieve better academic outcomes, have higher levels of engagement in school, and demonstrate lower rates of behavioural issues.

Education Support Workers provide invaluable support to students’ social and emotional well-being in various ways. This may include active listening, offering guidance, and providing a safe space for students to express their thoughts and feelings. ESWs may also facilitate group activities that foster positive interactions, promote personal development, and help students build essential skills, such as resilience, empathy, and effective communication.

Assisting with administrative tasks:

ESWs often support teachers and other school staff by performing various administrative tasks, such as maintaining records, managing resources, and coordinating events. This ensures that the school operates efficiently and that teachers can focus on their core teaching responsibilities.

Supporting students during extracurricular activities:

Education Support Workers may also assist students during extracurricular activities, such as sports, clubs, and school trips. This involves supervising students, ensuring their safety, and facilitating their participation and engagement in the activities.

Professional development and collaboration:

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, continuous professional development and collaboration are integral aspects of an Education Support Worker’s (ESW) journey to excellence. By engaging in ongoing learning opportunities and working closely with fellow professionals, ESWs can enhance their skills, stay abreast of the latest educational trends, and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the schools in which they work.

A crucial component of an ESW’s professional growth is participating in workshops, seminars, and conferences that focus on topics such as pedagogy, special needs education, and classroom management. In Australia, numerous organizations and institutions offer professional development opportunities tailored specifically for ESWs, including the Australian Special Education Principals Association (ASEPA) and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

teachers, school staff, and other educational professionals, exchanging ideas, sharing resources, and discussing best practices. This collaborative approach not only fosters a supportive and inclusive educational community but also enhances the learning experiences of students and the overall effectiveness of schools.

A 2019 report by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) highlights the importance of collaboration in the education sector, noting that when educators work together effectively, they can achieve better results for students, foster a positive school culture, and reduce teacher workload.

Advocating for students:

Finally, ESWs act as advocates for students, ensuring that their needs are met and their voices are heard. This may involve working with families, teachers, and other professionals to develop strategies and access resources that support student success.

Conclusion:

The role of Education Support Workers in Australia is multifaceted and essential to the success of students and the overall functioning of schools. With a range of responsibilities, from supporting classroom learning to advocating for students, ESWs play a critical role in fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.

By completing education support courses such as the Certificate III in School Based Education Support , the Certificate IV in School Based Education Support , or the Teacher Assistant Course, ESWs acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively carry out their duties. As a result, they become invaluable members of the educational community.

In summary, Education Support Workers are key contributors to the Australian education system, assisting teachers and students in numerous ways. Through their dedication, expertise, and commitment to professional growth, ESWs help create a better future for students and enhance the quality of education across the country.

School operations

Education Support Staff Working in Classroom Support Roles

• How to use key improvement strategies
• Key improvement strategy 1: Roles, responsibilities and teamwork
• Key improvement strategy 2: Professional learning and development
• Key improvement strategy 3: Collaboration and consultation
• Key improvement strategy 4: Student-centred practice

The purpose of this policy is to support principals and school leaders to make decisions about the effective use of education support staff in the classroom.

The Education Support Staff Working in Classroom Support Roles Guidelines provide evidence-based guidance about effective ways to work with education support staff employed in schools in classroom support roles. This involves:

• supporting education support staff to build on their capabilities to influence the achievement, engagement and wellbeing outcomes of all students
• providing a foundation for conversation, collaboration and action between principals, teachers, education support staff and regional staff when reviewing how they work together to support students in the classroom
• using practical, evidence-based key improvement strategies (KIS), which principals and school leaders can draw on when using the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) Improvement Cycle to evaluate their school’s current practice and to plan for improvement.

Education support staff in classroom support roles can have a significant impact on the achievement, engagement and wellbeing outcomes of all students, including those with disability and additional needs. They have an important role in strengthening an inclusive school culture and creating a positive climate for learning.

The Education Support Staff Working in Classroom Support Roles Guidelines have been developed to align with Department of Education and Training policy requirements and the provisions of the Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA) External Link .

They may assist principals and school leaders when making decisions regarding education support staff working in classroom support roles at their school.

The Guidelines can be used to identify and prioritise KIS and actions most critical to each school’s specific areas of strength and areas of practice that could be improved. These KIS and actions can be embedded into the school’s School Strategic Plan (SSP) and Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) to sharpen the school community’s collective focus on inclusive education and the effective use of education support staff.

The Guidelines also refer to effective ways education support staff can support all students, including students with disability, gifted and talented students and students with other additional learning and support needs.

The Guidelines outline ways that school leaders can assist education support staff to:

• have high expectations for all students, which promotes improvement in students’ achievement, engagement and wellbeing outcomes
• use data-informed, evidence-based, high-impact teaching strategies to improve outcomes for all students
• support classroom teachers who have responsibility for teaching all students in their class
• understand the role of education support staff as being responsible for supporting teacher-led teaching and learning in the classroom, not curriculum programming or goal setting
• promote collaborative, professional and respectful relationships between teaching staff and education support staff to improve student outcomes
• allocate time for teaching staff and education support staff to plan and work collaboratively
• build the capability of teachers and education support staff to improve outcomes for all students.

Refer to the Guidance tab for the Education Support Staff Working in Classroom Support Roles Guidelines.

Related policies

• Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)
• Dimensions of Work — Education Support Class
• Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO)
• Performance and Development for Education Support Class Employees
• Roles and Responsibilities Education Support Class
• School Strategic Plan
• Students with Disability
• Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2017 External Link

Relevant legislation

• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) External Link
• Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Cth) External Link
• Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) External Link
• Review of the Program for Students with Disabilities (Vic) External Link

Reviewed 11 January 2024

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Policy last updated

13 November 2020

Inclusive Education Professional Practice Branch Schools and Regional Services

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Education Support Resources

What Do Teacher Aides Do?

Teacher aides work under the direction of a teacher to support students' learning and development by applying teaching and learning strategies particularly to students with learning needs, disabilities, or disorders. They also assist the classroom teacher with the monitoring and management of student behaviour as well as undertake logistical tasks to ensure the efficient operation of the classroom or centre.

You could say that teacher aides have two key roles - first, to maximise learning time by keeping students on task as much as possible, and second, to maximise how much students learn or progress during that learning time. ITAC's research-based teacher aide courses are based around these two skill areas - behaviour management and instructional skills.

To learn about what the research says about teacher aides read our literature review here .

ITAC's research-based teacher aide courses are based around these two skill areas - behaviour management and instructional skills.

If you have searched 'what do teacher aides do' , then this is the article for you. Teacher aides work in the classroom environment under the supervision of the classroom teacher. They support students by implementing a range of teaching and learning strategies such as one-on-one instruction, co-operative learning, scaffolding, modelling and worked examples. They support the teacher by assisting with behaviour management as well as the general day-to-day operations or logistical needs of the classroom.

You could say that teacher aides have two key roles - first, to maximise learning time by keeping students on task as much as possible, and second, to maximise how much students learn or progress during that learning time.

Teacher aides spend most of their time supporting students in one-on-one or small group activities (in fact, research shows TAs spend more than 80% of their time in direct instructional roles). They predominantly work with students with special needs which includes students with neurological and learning disorders, physical disabilities, and behavioural disorders. Many teacher aides work in special needs schools (also called schools for specific purposes (SPS) and special schools). Approximately 30% of school staff are teacher aides according to government statistics and that number seems to be rising.

There are four key roles and responsibilities of all teacher aides in Australia:

• Support learning by implementing instructional strategies such as scaffolding, the levels of instruction, prompting and questioning techniques.
• Support behaviour by implementing a combination of proactive and re-active techniques such as rapport building, low key responses and proximity.
• Support the educational experiences of students with disabilities, disorders, and difficulties.
• A range of other tasks to support the day-to-day operations of the classroom e.g. light cleaning, setting up and packing up resources, making learning resources etc.

In a typical classroom, the teacher aide will circulate from group to group or work one-on-one with a particular student (known as a 'focus' or 'target' student). He or she is not expected to teach the whole class as that is the role of the classroom teacher. They may however, occasionally teach a larger group.

In a typical classroom, the teacher aide will circulate from group to group or work one-on-one with a particular student (known as a 'focus' or 'target' student).

Teacher aides primarily support students' learning and development in one-on-one or small group activities. They work under the direction of the classroom teacher although some are given more responsibility.

While the roles and responsibilities of TAs vary, their allocated tasks largely depend on the needs of the school and the TA's capabilities. TAs who hold a certificate from a reputable training provider might end up facilitating their own small-group literacy program for example. Others are assigned a permanent student to support such as a child who has been diagnosed with autism and who is non-verbal.

Also, there are certain tasks that TAs pretty much never do. Planning lessons and sequences of learning for example, is not something that TAs learn or are expected to do. They also don't develop assessment tools, mark assessments, write reports, develop individualised plans/programs, or manage communication with families and carers.

According to the Victorian government teacher aides do the following:

• demonstrating, supervising and participating in activities which enhance the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children in schools and preschool centres,
• preparing indoor and outdoor areas for learning and recreational activities,
• assisting children with intellectual, physical and behavioural difficulties with their academic studies,
• assisting children individually to learn social skills,
• assisting with preparing teaching aids, and copying and collating written and printed material,
• distributing and collecting lesson material, and
• providing assistance to small groups of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori students.

To learn how to do these things, you will need to enrol in a high-quality, research-based teacher aide course. ITAC is the go-to provider for teacher aide courses in Australia. To learn more about our courses, click on a link below:

• CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support
• CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support

This article will now dive into the following common questions:

What types of tasks do teacher aides commonly do? What do teacher aides do in a typical day? How do teacher aides support learning? What does the research say about teacher aides? What are the different types of teacher aides in Australia. Where can I get a job as a teacher aide? Do teacher aides have Job Description Forms (JDFs)? What do teacher aides do during recess and lunch? Do teacher aides work on school holidays? Do teacher aides do admin tasks? What do admin assistants do? What do library assistants do? What do home economic assistants do? What does 'role-stretch' mean?

How do teacher aides support learning?

Teacher aides support learning by implementing a range of teaching and learning strategies such as scaffolding, modelling and repeated reading. Pictured: ITAC student in the reading corner during her course placement. Could this be you?

A well-trained and qualified teacher aide will implement a range of teaching and learning strategies such as those listed below. It should be noted that these are examples of the types of teaching strategies that ITAC teach in the CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support and the CHC40221 Certificate IV in School Based Education Support . Many providers do not teach these strategies which is unfortunate as teachers use many of them on a daily basis (and TAs need to know them in order to assist):

What types of tasks do teacher aides do on an average day?

There is a lot of variation in what TAs do , so it's challenging to pin down an accurate answer that applies across the board. In a typical day a teacher aide will spend most of their time working one-on-one with students who need additional support.

This may mean working with a single student for most of the day, or it may mean circulating from student to student, or group to group. Teacher aides may also develop resources and undertake logistical and operational tasks such as cleaning, setting up and storing equipment.

A ‘typical’ day may involve some of the following tasks:

• Greet students and parents in the morning.
• Assist students to prepare for the day.
• Assist the teacher to organise resources and equipment.
• Prepare resources for students to use.
• Organise, clean, and store equipment.
• Assist the teacher to monitor and manage the behaviour of students.
• Ensure that students follow classroom and school rules.
• Update records of student progress and report to the teacher.
• Undertake light cleaning, and food preparation and storage.
• Supervise students inside and outside of the classroom such as on breaks.
• Support literacy development.
• Support numeracy development.
• Support the development of metacognitive skills.
• Support physical development (gross motor, fine motor).
• Support children’s social and emotional development.
• Assist the teacher to organise excursions and incursions.
• Support students with additional needs in a range of tasks e.g. eating.
• Complete admin tasks such as storing records and photocopying.

What does the research say about teacher aides?

Note: for a detailed look at the research on teacher aides read our literature review here .

Before we go any further, let's quickly look at what several studies have said about the roles and responsibilities of teacher aides:

A study in 2015 , in Queensland Australia, found that teacher aides spend most of their time supporting students one-on-one or in small groups, and they also complete a limited amount of non-instructional work.

A New Zealand study concluded that they (TAs) play a pivotal role in providing support for students with disabilities in a classroom setting and ensure educational presence, participation and achievement.

A 2015 study published in The Australian Association for Research in Education, stated that teacher aides work ‘with students one on one or in small groups to try to improve their academic outcomes, especially in the core subjects like reading and mathematics.’

A 2018 study conducted in the ACT, stated that teacher aides are primarily used to support students with disabilities:

“TAs are now employed to provide learning support in classrooms to enable students with disability and learning difficulties to access learning in mainstream schools…students with disability and learning difficulties are defined as students who receive additional resources to enable them to access classroom support, usually provided by a teacher aide.”

A study from 2011 explained that “TAs have inadvertently become the ‘primary mechanism’ enabling students with disability and learning difficulties to attend mainstream schools…”

Howard and Ford (2007) found that teacher aides engaged in complex tasks including planning, producing and adapting materials for students with additional needs.

What do teacher aides do? Types of teacher aides.

There are a few different types of teacher aides in Australia such as those in the table below. Each will undertake different roles and have slightly different responsibilities.

What do teacher aides do in a typical day?

Given the diversity of activities that TAs support, a normal day for a teacher aide will vary from school to school. If you ask 2 teacher aides 'what do teacher aides do?' you will probably get 2 very different answers. A typical day might look like the following:

What do teacher aids do: admin tasks?

In the past teacher aides were largely employed to support the teacher almost like a personal assistant. When teacher aides were first employed in the 60s and 70s, they were mainly used to reduce the teacher's workload and did most of the mundane non-instructional tasks such as filing records (there were no computers back then obviously). Teachers did all the face-to-face teaching without much help from the TA - in fact, they rarely entered the classroom. If you ask many older people 'what do teacher aides do?' they may remember TAs in this way.

In those days, teachers spent almost all of their class time lecturing from the front of the room, and special needs students were rarely allowed to attend a mainstream class. When students with additional needs were 'allowed' to attend mainstream classes, teachers needed extra help - they simply didn't have the time to support and teach existing students as well as students who needed additional support due to their disability or disorder. At this point, TAs started to enter the classroom as governments were pressured by the community to provide support services for children with additional needs - and the rest is history.

Nowadays, TAs do some admin work still but it isn't their primary purpose. In fact, everyone in a school had to do admin work at some point including even the Principal (who spends almost all day doing admin work). So yes, teacher aides are expected to do basic admin tasks from time to time such as photocopying and light cleaning - even teachers do these tasks. A small number of TAs believe that these tasks are beneath them or that it is somehow demeaning, however this line of thinking is misguided - even the Prime Minister of Australia does admin tasks! A big factor that determines what a teacher aide will do from one day to the next is what the classroom teacher need them to do - and sometimes this means admin tasks.

Important note: ALL school staff do admin work of some type – even the gardener! Part of the TA's role is to assist the teacher to maximise learning - an easy way to achieve that is to free the teacher up so they can do as much teaching as possible. After all, the teacher is the most skilled and trained person in the room in terms of instruction (pedagogy), so logically the more the TA can free the teacher up for instruction, the better particularly for students.

Where can I get a job as a teacher aide?

Education in Australia is compulsory until a certain age depending on the state. Some states require attendance until at least the year in which the child turns 17 (through formal schooling or a combination of training and employment). Compulsory school education in Australia generally begins with preschool. Students then enrol in primary school (grade k-6), followed by secondary school (or high school, grade 7-10) and senior secondary school (or college, grade 11 and 12). There are various versions of this system in each state, territory or region.

Schools in Australia are either government or non-government. Non-government schools include private schools, faith-based schools and alternative schools such as Montessori. All schools in Australia are predominantly publicly funded by the federal government - including private schools.

The details below may differ depending on your location. Information has been generalised in many cases.

Kindergarten

Often shortened to Kindy and generally undertaken around the age of 4 for 12 months. Kindergarten is not compulsory however it is very common for parents to enrol their children in kindy when they are old enough. Kindy programs are not always operated by schools and many childcare services offer kindy programs. The purpose of kindy is to:

• Learn through play in a structured learning environment
• Learn how to make friends, share and develop social skills
• Develop basic knowledge and expand on language skills
• Learn how to express ideas and thoughts through art, dance and play
• Help with the transition from home to formal full-time school

Pre-primary

Pre-primary is the first year of formal schooling and starts at around 5 years of age. Pre-primary is full time and is compulsory in some states such as Western Australia. You can think of pre-primary as half-way between kindy and primary school. Pre-primary is operated and delivered by early childhood teachers employed by a primary school.

Primary school

Primary school begins after pre-primary and runs from year 1 until year 6 or 7. This is the first stage of compulsory schooling in Australia.

• A structured learning environment with a qualified teacher in each class
• Attendance is required Monday-Friday and is spread across 4 school terms of around 10 weeks throughout the year (some states run 3 terms)
• Learning follows the key areas and concepts outlined in the curriculum
• Student begin to learn specialised knowledge such as foreign languages

High School

High school, also known as secondary school or college, covers the years 7-12.

• Teachers are specialists in learning areas such as maths or science
• Students generally move from class to class approximately every hour
• Option to choose classes/programs based on interests such as sport or second languages

Special needs

Students with learning difficulties or disabilities have an equal opportunity to an education under law. Generally speaking, parents can choose:

• To have their child mainstreamed, meaning the child will attend a mainstream school often with additional support such as an assigned EA or
• To send their child to a special needs school with funding and facilities that specialise in the delivery of education to students with additional needs or impairments.

Do teacher aides work on school holidays?

Teacher aides are not required to work on school holidays. Holidays are generally for 2 weeks at the end of term 1, 2 and 3, and for approximately 6 weeks over summer (known as the Christmas break). Some states may use a three term system - in which case summer holidays are a little longer. The simple answer to the question 'what do teacher aides do during holidays' is nothing - nothing related to school anyway. They may create a few resources but generally speaking there is no requirement for teacher aides to do anything on the holidays.

While not required, many teacher aides choose to do a few tasks over the break such as preparing resources and attending PDs (professional development).

You can learn more about teacher aide pay, allowances, and benefits by reading this article: How much do teacher aides get paid?

What do teacher aides do during recess and lunch?

Some teacher aides do what is known as ‘duty’ – some do not. To do duty is to supervise an area of the school for a certain period of time e.g. recess, lunch or while students wait for the bus after school. Duty is a rostered system and is undertaken in pairs in specific areas of the school.

For example, you may be rostered for recess duty on Monday and bus duty on Friday. In some states, TAs can do duty on their own, in some they can't, and in some they have to be with a teacher. Most of the time, TAs don't do duty other than to look after a student with special needs (which they do from a distance so they (the student) can spend time with friends).

Job descriptions for teacher aides

If you have recently applied for a teacher aide position or are lucky enough to already be employed in a school, and you want to know what you are expected to do, the best place to start is by checking your JDF or Job Description Form. For example, if you are employed as a home economics assistant, the JDF will include tasks such as those below:

• Assist with stock-take
• Prepare food
• Purchase food
• Take deliveries
• Assist teacher to manage student behaviour
• Support students to use equipment safely

You can read more about the roles and responsibilities of teacher aides by going to the department of education in your state or territory such here for Queensland, here for NSW, and here for WA.

The big issue with teacher aides: role-stretch

Teacher aides can be expected to take on many roles such as library assistants.

One of the biggest issues with teacher aides is the issue of role stretch. This has been studied by academics and is a well-known problem. Role stretch means that the position is very loosely defined and the person is asked to do more and more over time – the list of tasks and responsibilities keeps growing or stretching.

One reason for this is because teacher aides can be deployed by schools to solve problems. For example, a TA might be put in a class simply because the teacher is struggling to control the behaviour of a group of students (what is unofficially known as a 'weak teacher'). What does this mean? Teacher aides need to be flexible, adaptable, and open to challenges and regular change.

What do home economic assistants do?

Home economics assistants can work with students, but they mainly do a lot of logistical tasks such as buying food and stock-take.

Home economics assistants support home economics teachers in a range of tasks mainly related to home economics subjects such as Food Technology, which is a compulsory elective in most year 7-10 grades. As a Home Economics Assistant, you may be required to:

• collect and collate food lists from teachers
• conduct stocktake of current food items and products
• order food products from various suppliers
• ensure order was delivered in full with product in date
• liaise with teachers about recipes, class sizes and product volume
• prepare food items and products in advance of classes
• ensure that sufficient product is available for classes
• assist teacher with food demonstrations and activities
• support teacher with students with special needs
• support teacher with administration and other tasks
• maintain equipment, fixtures and fittings
• ensure safe food preparation, storage, labelling, and handling
• conduct laundry and cleaning tasks such as wiping tables and cleaning floors and fridges
• assisting children with food related activities such as preparation and cleaning
• assist teachers, similar to above, for textile classes such as fashion, sewing and textile technology
• attend events such as monthly dinners for local community members prepared by students, food expos and student work placements in industry.

What do library assistants do?

Teacher aides can sometimes be employed in schools as library assistants. Library assistants support school teachers and librarians with a range of tasks such as managing library services, assisting students with research, locating books and magazines, ensuring texts are returned and stored, purchasing new texts, managing bookings, light cleaning and general administration and support duties. Library assistants complete a range of tasks including:

• sorting books and other texts according to the appropriate classification system
• returning books to their appropriate location once returned by students
• issue items to students and process returns normally using electronic systems
• follow procedure when books are not returned such as contacting borrower
• general administration duties such as answer phone enquiries and other requests
• assist with inter-library loan services and/or find texts and materials in journals
• support the teacher with collating materials, books and other learning tools
• support the teacher by undertaking general teacher assistant duties such as behaviour management
• prepare class areas and meeting areas in advance of classes booked for that area.

What do admin assistants do?

All schools employ a number of admin staff and TAs sometimes spend part of their week in an admin role. Depending on the role, admin staff undertake the following tasks:

• provide administration support to the school
• answer phone enquiries from parents and caregivers
• answer email enquiries from parents and caregivers
• assist in the management of enrolment and other official records
• receive forms, check, process and store information and data
• use a range of software packages to retrieve and store data/information
• use student management system
• assist with general school operations such as obtaining quotes for repairs
• undertake a range of tasks to assist senior managers as required
• light cleaning, sorting of folders, scanning, photocopying, filing and other tasks
• print, package and send letters and other forms of communication to specified people
• organise internal and external meetings
• update attendance records, creating new student folders
• finance tasks such as recording petty cash and minor purchasing.

What do teacher aides do? Teacher aides are expected to take on a range of tasks depending on the needs of the school. Many teacher aides work with students with disabilities and disorders. Some work in home economics while others work in the library or even take on admin roles for part of their week. Some TAs even run their own programs under the direction of a teacher or other specialist. Regardless of where you end up working or what you end up doing, all teacher aides implement teaching strategies such as one-on-one instruction, explicit teaching, and formative assessment. Behaviour management and general classroom support are also key responsibilities of all teacher aides in Australia.

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What do you do in education support worker jobs?

• Matt Farrah Nurses.co.uk Co-founder / Co-owner
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Education Support Work is a bit of a shift from the norm that you might expect from support worker jobs. We look at the job and what you should expect if you follow a career down this path.

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Qualifications and personality

It is likely that you yourself must be qualified to A Level standard at least.

Whilst education support worker jobs don’t require you to actually teach any subjects, you do need to have a good level of background understanding to help you decide how to aid.

Any educational qualifications will be desirable but not necessary.

Similarly, qualifications and experience in working with people with learning difficulties will support your application.

As for personal qualities, there are a few necessary traits:

• Patience: people learn things at different rates and may require you to explain several times in different ways

• E xperience: partly so that you can understand the work itself, and partly so you can judge how is best to communicate information

• Emotional intelligence: you need to know when to help them calm down, when to draw behaviour boundaries, when to praise, and when they need to take 5 minutes and talk about what’s troubling them

• Proactiveness: whilst you need to remember that the teacher or lecturer is always in charge, they will be thrilled if you are proactive and take initiative in extending a student’s learning or make the extra effort to find useful resources for them.

Finding education support worker jobs

Schools and colleges may list them on their own websites, councils may aggregate their county’s schools’ needs on their website or alternatively, you can always use us!

We aggregate jobs from many websites to get a great selection of possibilities.

See another blog I wrote on how to be successful in an interview for a support worker job - this will be extremely useful once you've applied for the job you want.

Search now for education support workers jobs and try out the advanced search options to filter responses by location, career level or sector.

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I believe people working in healthcare should be able to choose to enjoy work. That is, choose an employer who reflects their values and provides them with a sustainable career. This leads to better patient care, higher retention rates and happier working lives in this most important employment sector.

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Department for education, school services officers (ssos) – about the role.

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A School Services Officer (SSO) provides administration and classroom support within South Australian government schools and preschools.

SSOs can work school terms (42 weeks) or may be employed for the full year (52 weeks).

Work as an SSO

Any available positions will be advertised on EduJobs .

This reference guide for ancillary recruitment (PDF 226KB) provides helpful information on what to include in your resume, how to address a written statement and compiling your referees.

There are also work opportunities for university students studying teaching .

Register your interest for ancillary or support worker jobs that become available with the department.

SSO duties can be divided broadly into the following 6 categories.

Administration Officer

The Administration Officer is responsible for front office reception and administrative duties, including libraries.

Classroom Support Officer

The Classroom Support Officer provides curriculum support for teaching staff by:

• contributing to the planning and delivery of curriculum with participating teachers
• delivering curriculum to children in small groups or to individuals under the direction of the teacher or director
• performing administrative duties and records management
• organising and preparing materials and resources for activities, and organising activities within the safety guidelines under the direction of the teacher
• discussing program implementation and evaluation with the teacher
• helping organise special events and children's work displays.

Resource Centre Officer

The Resource Centre Officer is responsible for the effective administrative, clerical and paraprofessional support services to the site’s resource centre (Library). The duties may include:

• processing book and resource loans and returns
• use of the resource centre’s IT system
• manage audio visual equipment
• filing and shelving

Finance Officer

The Finance Officer provides accounting and administrative services for the site.

Laboratory Officer

The Laboratory Officer provides a range of laboratory and science faculty support.

Computer Systems Manager

The Computer Systems Manager is accountable for the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the site's computer information systems.

Appointment details and definitions

Appointment details.

• Full-time or part-time appointment with leave conditions – working 48/52 weeks per year. Entitled to paid sick leave, recreation leave and special leave, long service leave and payment for public holidays not worked.
• Part-time 'school term' employment with 16% loading – working term time only. Entitled to paid sick leave, and long service leave.
• Casual appointment with 25% loading – working term time only. Not entitled to any paid leave except long service leave.

Employment conditions

School services officers are appointed under section 121 of the Education and Children's Services Act 2019 .

Salary and conditions of employment are contained in the:

• SA school and preschool education staff enterprise agreement 2024 (PDF 6.6MB)
• Schools services officers (government schools) award (PDF 909KB)
• other awards or agreements applicable from time to time.

People and Culture

Phone : 8226 1356 Email : education.hr [at] sa.gov.au

Related information

• Ancillary or support staff employment requirements and registration
• Work opportunities for university students studying teaching
• Recruitment and selection of ancillary staff in schools and preschools policy  (PDF 359 KB)

Other pages in this section

• School Services Officer (SSO)
• Early Childhood Worker (ECW)
• Aboriginal community education officer (ACEO)
• Hourly Paid Instructor (HPI)
• English as an additional language or dialect
• Grounds, facilities and maintenance support (GSE)

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Support Worker Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the support worker job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the support worker role by most employers/recruiters.

What Does a Support Worker Do?

A support worker (who can also be referred to as a healthcare support worker), is responsible for working with people with vulnerability in diverse ways. The types of vulnerability may (in most cases it is certain) differ from patient to patient.

The support worker job description sometimes involves helping people with mental health problems; those recovering from addictions; persons with learning difficulties; and people with disabilities.

The day-to-day activities or duties of a support worker are usually based on the needs of patients at any given time. That is to say that there is little or no routine pattern when it comes to their daily activities.

He/she may be required to provide physical care to patients, like bathing, dressing, and feeding (depending on the different needs of each patient).

The support worker tries as much as possible to provide leisure and/or recreation activities for the patients he or she is taking care of.

In some cases, he/she may be required to teach and assist patients with their daily personal and/or community responsibilities. This may include the administration of medication, shopping etc.

It is important to note that most support workers (specifically those that work closely with patients) carry out their work description under the supervision of a nurse or physician as the case may be.

Support Worker Job Description Example/Sample/Template

Support Workers perform various functions in making sure that patients’ different needs are met at all times.

The job description below is a typical example of the kind of tasks, duties, and responsibilities commonly assigned to individuals who work as support workers in most organizations or settings:

• Communicating frequently with the patients so as to be able to identify their needs and attend to them accordingly
• Making sure that appointments are made and adhered to with patients’ physicians as at when due
• Being responsible for the well-being and safety of patients under care
• Seeing to the availability of a patient’s medication at all times
• Interacting respectfully with patients and their relatives (if the need arises)
• Keep all matters related to patients or their families confidential at all times
• Extend support/care period if the need arises
• In the case of serious side effects or health-related issues, notify the patient’s physician and family.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for the Role of a Support Worker

When hiring for the support worker role, most employers will expect you to meet the following requirements to qualify for an appointment:

• Good communication skills are a must-have for any support worker
• He/she must have good interpersonal skills so as to be able to easily identify the needs of each patient
• Ability to understand and be patient/calm irrespective of provocation from patients being cared for or supported
• Must be compassionate when carrying out his/her duties
• Flexibility in work patterns and schedule is of great importance
• Ability to work as part of a team if need be
• Ability to work with minimal supervision always
• He/she must display a great level of trust and honesty at all times
• Must possess excellent problem-solving abilities
• Must be able to adapt to different conditions and cases
• In some cases also, he/she may be required to act as a role model to the patient that is being supported or guided
• Evidence of experience as a support worker or care provider
• A good level of general education, especially in communication and healthcare-related fields
• A diploma in health and social care would be of added advantage.

You will find the sample job description for the support worker position provided in this post useful if you are an employer hiring for the role.

You will be able to produce a great description for the position in your organization easily and as clearly as possible too, by making use of the content of this post, and that will enhance your chances of getting the best-qualified individuals to apply for the job.

Individuals interested in a career in the field of healthcare support will also find this post helpful in learning about the duties and responsibilities that characterize the position of a (health care) support worker.

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The role of a Support Worker: duties & responsibilities

There are few jobs as rewarding as being a Support Worker. The role of a Support Worker involves helping people with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives and achieve their goals.

You’ll get to make a real impact on people’s lives every day and share in their success. Read our guide on the duties and responsibilities of a Support Worker to find out more!

What is a Support Worker?

A Support Worker is someone who supports vulnerable people to help them make the most of daily life. They help service users with various physical and mental disability needs to live more independently and to achieve their goals by offering emotional and physical support.

The role of a Support Worker is hugely varied. Each service user has their own individual needs so support is tailored to each person. As a result, it’s an incredibly rewarding role where you can improve quality of life for vulnerable people and make a real positive difference to their lives.

What is support work?

Support work is all about helping service users live their best life! This means promoting dignity, independence and helping people achieve personal goals.

As a result, support work is different every day. Each person has specific needs and requirements, and we’re particularly proud that we develop individual support plans to help every service user reach their goals with our support.

What is the role of a Support Worker?

The daily role of a Support Worker changes according to the requirements of the service user they’re supporting. Sometimes the role could include helping with daily tasks like personal care and maintaining hygiene, other days it could be teaching new skills, providing emotional support and ensuring they’re living a fulfilled life.

Many of our Support Workers enjoy fun days out with our service users, from day trips to the zoo , going for a picnic , or even watching professional wrestling! Without doubt, the job can be great fun.

The role is primarily centred on supporting people to live as independently as possible. Alina Homecare Support Workers help service users with a variety of needs, from Learning Disabilities to Autism ,  Physical Disabilities or more Complex Care .

Support Workers often need to work in different settings; this includes Supported Living properties as well as in health and social care settings, in the community, or in the service user’s own home.

Why become a Support Worker?

Becoming a Support Worker can be a very rewarding job! Although the role can be challenging at times, making a positive difference to someone’s life and helping them achieve personal goals brings feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment. It’s ideal for someone who enjoys a varied job role and plenty of interaction with many different people!

Making new memories, celebrating accomplishments and sharing experiences together are some of the most enjoyable aspects of the role. You’ll enable people to overcome obstacles and gain confidence and self esteem to make independent life choices.

• Fulfilment – support work can be challenging but also rewarding! You’ll support service users to achieve personal goals and share in their success
• Fun – you’ll make memories with service users and enrich their lives by accompanying them on exciting activities and outings
• Development – starting as a Support Worker with no experience means more opportunities to progress your career in social care. Even our Disability Support Director started as a Support Worker!
• Variety – every day is different! Supporting people with different needs and personalities means the role of a Support Worker is varied day to day
• Perks – our Support Workers enjoy many great perks, including exclusive discounts on top brands and flexible working options to fit their lifestyle

If you’d like to learn more about the role of a Support Worker before applying, check out the Skills for Care  website as it has lots of useful information on how to get started. Once you feel fully informed, don’t forget to come back to apply at Alina Homecare!

If there’s a challenging day, we’re always there for each other. That’s the best part – when you’re at work, you don’t feel isolated, you’re just part of the entire family.” Sneahaal, Support Worker at Alina Homecare

What’s included in a Support Worker job description?

A Support Worker job description will include a summary of the role and the type of candidate the recruiter is looking for, the duties and responsibilities of the role, and any necessary requirements or qualifications. It’s always important to read the job description thoroughly to understand what’s expected of you and to make sure you’d be a good fit for the role.

We’ve provided some information about the different sections of a Support Worker job description below:

A Support Worker job description will usually begin with a summary of the role and the type of candidate the company is looking for. In the case of a Support Worker, they’ll be looking for someone with great social skills as you’ll be interacting with a variety of different people.

Other areas of the summary might include a small introduction to the company and their core values, as well as a brief description of the main roles and responsibilities of Support Workers. Some Support Worker job descriptions might include information about who you’d be reporting to and the Team you’ll be working with.

A job description summary allows the candidate to easily identify whether they’d be a good fit for the role. The summary may also mention the location of where the role is based, so you don’t want to apply for a job that’s too far away!

Responsibilities

Although the summary may have mentioned some of the key responsibilities of the role, this section will go into a bit more detail. They’ll usually list a few of the most important aspects of the job so the candidate can understand what’s expected of them. This is your opportunity to understand whether the role of a Support Worker is something you’d be able to manage and if you’d be able to carry out all the duties required.

Some typical responsibilities that might be included in a Support Worker job description are:

• Assisting service users with daily personal care routines, such as bathing and dressing
• Helping with domestic tasks, such as cooking and cleaning
• Supporting service users with shopping, budgeting and managing finances
• Evaluating service users’ practical and emotional needs and assisting with creating support plans
• Monitoring the mental health and wellbeing of service users and reporting any significant changes
• Providing emotional support to service users and families by listening to and discussing concerns
• Encouraging service users to achieve personal goals and always being respectful of their choices

Requirements

The requirements section of a Support Worker job description usually comes last. This may include education, previous experience or qualifications that are necessary for the role. They may also include additional skills such as IT proficiency or personality traits that are suitable for the duties of a Support Worker job role. Learn more about the different Support Worker skills you may need today.

Before applying for the role of a Support Worker, it’s important to read the requirements section to make sure you have the necessary skills and experience to be successful – you don’t want to waste your time or the time of the recruiter! This section might be split into two categories to make it easier: essential and desirable requirements.

Some Support Worker job requirements may include:

• Qualification/s in Health & Social Care or willingness to work towards this
• Commitment to helping others and providing dedicated person centred support
• A good level of written and spoken English
• Excellent communication and social skills
• Understanding of necessary policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for service users
• Full and up to date DBS check
• Competent knowledge of necessary IT systems (the job description might identify what these systems are if there’s a certain software the company uses to record notes)
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (this is an example of something that could be essential if the job description involves delivering community support. It’s also desirable if you’ll work in supported living accommodation to take service users out for day trips, but travel isn’t necessary)

What are the responsibilities of a Support Worker?

Support Workers play a vital role in supporting people with learning and physical disabilities, mental health needs and complex care needs to live independently in the place they call home. Therefore, the role of a Support Worker is undeniably varied from day to day, especially because the people they support have unique personalities and differing needs.

Support Workers provide fundamental physical and emotional support to people so they can do the things that matter most to them. The role is focused on supporting people to live their lives as independently as possible, keeping them safe and respecting their own choices. The support they provide means people can lead full and enriching lives, helping them achieve their personal goals. This makes the job incredibly rewarding!

Support work is all about making life easier and more fun for service users. Our Support Workers plan exciting activities, from going to animal parks to learning how to cook or gardening !

At Alina Homecare, we’re passionate about treating each service user as an individual with their own hobbies and interests. The role of a Support Worker is to foster and develop these interests and help people grow in independence and confidence.

5 key duties of a Support Worker

Because there’s so much variety, it’s difficult to only include 5 key duties of a Support Worker. However, Support Worker duties and responsibilities often include:

• Personal support – helping service users with daily tasks such as personal care and hygiene, meal preparation and other domestic tasks. Support Workers also enable them to develop independent life skills, such as managing their own finances
• Effective communication – helping service users meet friends and stay in touch with loved ones. Support Workers also support those who have communication difficulties to express themselves through effective communication, using sensory stimulus where necessary
• Keeping active – supporting service users to be an active part of their local community by taking part in activities and day trips, if possible
• Emotional support – providing emotional support for service users and their families. Ensuring a safe environment for service users and encouraging them to make independent life choices. Support Workers also encourage service users to achieve short and long term goals. This could be anything from cooking a meal to attending college!
• Medication management – working with the service user and other professionals to support any medical needs, including attending appointments or administering medication, if necessary

As Support Workers progress into more senior roles , they also help manage the Team and develop individual support plans to ensure service users reach their goals.

Being a Support Worker is such an amazing role! You support people with learning disabilities with all aspects of their daily lives and engage them in exciting opportunities to enrich their lives, putting a smile on their face and yours.” Kate Ford, Director of Alina Homecare Disability Support

What skills do you need as a Support Worker?

Support Workers need to be ready to adapt to a fast paced and varied environment. As a result, they need to be equipped with these skills:

• People focused – a desire to help others grow in independence
• Great communication – ability to communicate well with service users, families and other members of their support team. This includes good numeracy, literacy and IT skills
• Good listener – ready to lend an ear and provide emotional support
• Fantastic problem solver – adaptable and reactive to changing situations
• Team player – independent but also great at teamwork

It also helps if you have the ability to drive, so you can take our service users out for the day. At Alina Homecare, we pay a generous mileage allowance.

What qualifications does a Support Worker need?

To become a Support Worker at Alina Homecare, you don’t need any qualifications! You’ll just need to pass enhanced background checks and have the right to work in the UK.

When starting the role, you’ll receive exclusive training with our Alina Homecare Academy . This covers everything from understanding our quality standards to specific instructions so you can thrive while delivering all aspects of support work.

Once you start, there’s also the opportunity to pursue ongoing training such as an NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care and diplomas in the health and social care sector. Additionally, we offer social care apprenticeship opportunities so you can learn and earn at the same time.

Some Support Workers and Senior Support Workers also receive training on more specialist support work, such as administering medication and delivering Complex Care .

What makes a good Support Worker?

We understand applying for a new job can be nerve-racking, but in the social care sector, it’s not necessarily about knowing all the right skills, but having the right mindset and enthusiastic attitude. If you’re willing to work hard and make a difference to people’s lives, you’ll succeed!” Nicol Daunt, Recruitment Manager at Alina Homecare

A day in the life of a Support Worker

There’s no such thing as a typical day in the life of a Support Worker because every day is different! Our service users are all unique individuals with different needs and interests. That means no two days are the same! A large part of what Support Workers get involved with is driven by the people they support, helping them to live with as much independence and choice as possible.

However, here is what a day in the life of a Support Worker could look like:

They might start their morning shift by helping service users get out of bed and ready for the day. The morning routine might include assisting with personal care and hygiene, as well as helping them dress. Support might be in the form of verbal prompts or direct physical assistance, depending on the person’s needs.

They’ll then support with making breakfast and discussing the plans for the day. If a service user needs medication, they’ll assist with this or remind them to take medication with their morning meal.

After breakfast, the events of the day depend on the needs of the service user and their schedule. The day could involve going to college, a shopping trip, attending an appointment, an outdoor walk or taking part in an activity. The day may be filled with different people needing different types of support.

Lunch is an important part of everyone’s day and for a Support Worker this may be eaten inside the home of a service user or out and about in the local community. It’s important to make sure wherever they are, it’s a safe and comfortable environment for the service user.

In the evenings, they’ll prepare meals or support service users with preparing their own meals. Each person will have a different night time routine. For instance, some may like to enjoy quiet time on their own before going to bed, whereas others might like to spend time together until they want to go to bed.

As well as providing both physical and emotional support to service users throughout the day, it’s equally important for Support Workers to complete necessary paperwork or admin to report on the day’s activities. This can be daily records about what has happened during their shift, or to report any information that other Support Workers, family members or other involved professionals may need to know about.

Is a Support Worker the same as a Care Assistant?

The role of a Support Worker and the role of a Care Assistant have some similarities but there are also considerable differences.

The main difference between the role of a Support Worker and a Care Assistant is the people they support. A Support Worker primarily works with people with learning disabilities, supporting them to live as independently as possible and to achieve personal goals. A Care Assistant, on the other hand, often refers to providing care to the elderly, someone recovering from surgery, or anyone who needs extra support in their daily routines. This may be through providing personal care, domestic duties or companionship.

A Support Worker’s job role is to empower people with disabilities to have more control over their lives by giving them the right support, opportunities and encouragement to live a more fulfilling life. For example, a Support Worker may support children with disabilities in their transition into adulthood , or they may work with adults with disabilities, giving them life skills and confidence to live a rewarding and full life.

Although the role of a Support Worker and Care Assistant are different, they’re both just as rewarding!

What are the different types of Support Workers and how do their roles differ?

There are different types of Support Worker job roles available. Scroll across below to learn more about these roles and their key differences.

Learning Disabilities Support Worker

Most of our Alina Homecare Support Worker jobs are for supporting people with learning and physical disabilities.

The main role of a Learning Disabilities Support Worker is to ensure the person you’re supporting leads a fulfilling life and to enable them to achieve personal goals. Personal goals will vary from one person to another, depending on the person’s abilities and interests.

As a Learning Disabilities Support Worker, you’ll assess the needs of the person relying on your service to identify a person centred approach to providing the best possible support. You’ll encourage their hobbies and participation in activities which they enjoy and to develop independence. The type of support provided will depend on the person’s abilities and understanding. For example, some people might need assistance with washing and dressing, whereas others might need support with understanding and managing their finances.

One of the most important aspects of being a Support Worker is to establish a good relationship with the people you’re supporting. Building trust and providing encouragement will enable them to build confidence and self esteem. The role of a Learning Disabilities Support Worker is to support inclusivity and help people access opportunities in life which are available to everyone.

Mental Health Support Worker

Our Support Worker job roles can also include mental health support. A Mental Health Support Worker is someone who supports people who may have a substance addiction, mental health conditions such as depression, or other cognitive challenges such as dementia. Their primary role is to contribute to the overall mental health and wellbeing of the people they support.

They aim to promote independent living, whilst providing practical support to help people gain access to resources they might otherwise be unaware of. In this instance, a Mental Health Support Worker might be supporting someone as part of a larger team and therefore effective communication is essential.

Mental Health Support Workers support people living with mental health conditions in order to help them cope with daily life. They’ll provide reassurance and vital support to help them achieve recovery goals and milestones. Typical duties of a Mental Health Support Worker include providing therapy assistance and support with basic care needs. This can range from assisting the person to prepare healthy meals or with essential tasks like taking medications. They may also help with managing finances and completing job applications to enable the person to live as independently as possible.

Mental Health Support Workers can have a positive impact on the lives of someone suffering with a mental health condition. The support they provide can reduce the risk of chronic diseases related to stress, anxiety and substance abuse brought on by mental health. By improving the outlook of someone who would otherwise feel hopeless and alone, their support can save lives.

Community Support Worker

Many of our Support Worker job roles include community support work. A Community Support Worker works with individuals or groups of people to provide emotional and physical care to people in their own homes. They’re responsible for ensuring the people they support can live safely and comfortably at home. Their focus is on promoting independence and providing support to help people manage and overcome challenges.

As with any Support Worker job role, the duties of a Community Support Worker can be varied. They might provide counselling to people so they can live their lives more independently. Alternatively, they may help people to manage their finances and advise them on how to achieve career goals. Other tasks could be teaching members of the community skills to increase their independence and to develop important life skills.

Supported Living Support Worker

Our Support Worker jobs often include aspects of a Supported Living Support Worker job description. A Support Living Support Worker is someone who supports adults with learning disabilities to live in 24 hour support accommodation. Working alongside a team of Support Workers, they’ll usually work on a shift rota that includes mornings, evenings, weekends, bank holidays or overnight sleep in shifts.

Support living services enable people with a range of needs to live independent, fulfilling lives safely in the local community. Someone living in supported living accommodation will have their own room and tenancy agreement, but they’ll receive support which can range from a few hours a week to continuous one to one support.

People with learning disabilities, autism and other complex care needs require some level of support but a Supported Living Support Worker can allow them to maximise their independence and make their own life choices. Supported living is a great option for someone who would find it difficult to live alone but who doesn’t want to move into residential care. They’ll be responsible for their own finances and paying their bills with the added reassurance of support from a dedicated Support Worker.

What is the average salary of a Support Worker?

According to Total Jobs , the average Support Worker earns £19,000 a year. At Alina Homecare, we’re proud that most of our Support Workers earn more than this. Your specific salary will vary from region to region, as well as the hours and contract you choose. To find out more, we suggest chatting to our Recruitment Team .

What opportunities are there for career progression?

Many members of our Team have developed and grown their careers with us. For example, our Director of Alina Homecare Disability Support, Kate Ford, started out as a Support Worker!

We offer all employees the chance to work towards an apprenticeship, NVQ or diploma whilst working. This can lead to a Senior Support Worker role, as well as a Field Care Supervisor job or, eventually, a managerial position.

There are also chances for regular training, such as first aid, to help our Support Workers keep up with the latest developments and quality standards expected in this role.

How to apply for a Support Worker job role

If you’d like to apply for a Support Worker job role at Alina Homecare, apply now or visit our Disability Support Worker jobs page to learn more. We have many new and exciting opportunities available, so we suggest chatting with our Jobs Team to discuss your options.

You can also download our Support Worker CV template to get started. If you’re invited for an interview, read our sample Support Worker interview questions and answers with a free downloadable PDF.

Apply below to become a Support Worker with us!

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The Role of a Support Worker

What is a support worker?

A support worker is someone who looks after the well-being of people in their daily lives. They help people living with different physical disabilities and mental health needs to live their lives more independently and support them to reach their potential by providing both physical and emotional support. The role of a support worker is so varied - each person has unique needs, which makes the job unique too.

What does a support worker do?

The day-to-day job of a support worker differs depending on the needs of the person they are supporting. This can include helping people to carry out their daily tasks to take care of themselves, teaching new skills, providing emotional support, and ensuring they are living a fulfilled life.

The role is primarily focused on enabling and supporting people to live their lives as independently as they can. At Lifeways, we support people with a diverse range of needs, including learning disabilities , autism , physical disabilities , acquired brain injuries and mental health needs .

As a support worker, you may find yourself working in a number of settings. You may be expected to work in people’s homes, in health and social care settings such as supported living services or care homes , and out in the community.

What is support work?

Support work involves helping people who require care and support to live as independently as they can. Support work can offer a very fulfilling and varied career path.

What are the responsibilities of a support worker?

There are many roles and responsibilities of a support worker, including:

• Providing physical support which may include helping with household tasks and personal care.
• Providing emotional support for an individual and their families.
• Supporting and helping with health care needs, including routine checks or administrating medication.
• Encouraging and supporting the development of personal skills through hobbies and interests.
• Teaching life skills, such as shopping, using public transport and paying for bills.
• Working with other healthcare professionals to ensure that all care needs meet the highest possible standards.

Support workers also help the people they support to form meaningful connections. This could be by aiding them in their hobbies and interests, connecting them with suitable community groups, enabling them to attend college or encouraging them to develop a new life skill such as cooking or money management. To achieve this, understanding how the person communicates and their likes and dislikes is an important part of the job.

Why become a support worker?

Being a support worker can be a very rewarding job. Even though the role can be hard and often challenging, making a positive difference to someone’s life and helping them become more independent brings feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction. It’s a great career choice for those who enjoy a varied job role and lots of interaction with others.

Some of the best parts of the job are sharing new experiences together, creating new memories and celebrating successes. You’ll enable people to overcome their fears and challenges whilst helping them to build confidence and self-esteem.

"As a support worker, you have to wear many different hats. You're a professional but also a companion, coach, educator and community bridge-builder. You help people to live fulfilling lives, to be an inclusive part of their community, and you enable them to develop and maintain relationships. Your support means they have choice and control in their lives. Variety is very much part of the role."  Fran Winney, Regional Operations Director

What skills are needed to be a support worker?

There are certain skills that are beneficial to have when working as a support worker, for example:

• An interest in helping other people, regardless of their condition.
• The ability to communicate clearly and sensitively when talking to people and their families.
• Good listening skills.
• Great problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt and act accordingly to situations.
• Good time management skills to be able to support the needs of multiple people.
• The ability to keep up with changing standards and codes of conduct in the social care sector.
• The ability to work both alone and as part of a team.
• A high level of patience and emotional resilience.
• Being empathetic towards everyone.
• The ability to make good, positive relationships with people and their families.
• The ability to communicate with other healthcare professionals.
• Great verbal and written communication skills.
• A non-judgemental attitude regardless of a person’s needs.
• The ability to remain calm under pressure and when dealing with challenging situations.

What qualifications are needed to be a support worker?

Becoming a support worker doesn’t require any specific qualifications. Experience in the care sector is helpful but not required. When starting a support worker role, employers will often provide some form of training, especially for newcomers, which provides an insight into the roles and responsibilities of the job role.

Even though specific qualifications to become a support worker aren’t required, NVQs or similar qualifications in the health and social care sector can give applicants an advantage. The government’s new T Level qualifications - particularly those in Health, would also be a good option to help start your career as a support worker.

For people who may have had personal experiences - whether that’s a sibling with autism, or a family member who has a physical disability, they may find their experiences can assist them with their role as a support worker. 

What’s the application process to become a support worker?

The application process to become a support worker is relatively straight-forward. If applying for a role via the Lifeways website, you will need to submit a CV and fill out a short application form. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview which usually takes place online. All successful applicants will need to undergo a DBS check as standard.

Our careers page has a number of helpful resources to help those looking to apply. You’ll find CV builders, interview tips and instructions on how to use Microsoft Teams - our preferred online communication platform.

What is the induction process like at Lifeways?

When you start a career at Lifeways, you will receive on-the-job training and will complete an induction course in your first few weeks. You’ll also shadow another support worker for a few weeks, too.

You’ll also have access to fantastic training and development opportunities. There’s a comprehensive induction programme where you will learn about our company values and our person-centred approach to service delivery. After completing your induction, you’ll be fully competent and confident to provide quality care to the people you support. You will have achieved your mandatory training and also the knowledge criteria of some of the Support Worker (Care Certificate) Standards.

Your learning journey will continue after your induction. You’ll receive further learning sessions relating to the person you are supporting. You can also attend training sessions that cover things like moving and handling, dysphagia and safe swallowing and physical intervention. 

Liam found a new happiness in support work , after joining Autism Care - part of the Lifeways Group, in 2009. 

“Lifeways provides so much training like manual handling, risk assessments, fire safety, nutrition, medication, restraint training, first aid and so much more. It makes a huge difference being properly trained. Not only are you given the opportunity to learn new things, but the knowledge has really boosted my confidence.”

As you start work in your service, you will also experience a comprehensive local induction. You’ll have an opportunity to meet with the team, and the people you will be supporting. Our support workers can undertake NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care or an appropriate qualification once their role has commenced.

Is there opportunity for career progression?

In the care industry, there is a lot of room for career progression. Many companies offer support workers the chance to work towards an NVQ, SVQ or degree whilst working. This can enable progression to a more senior support worker role or managerial position.  There are many career progression opportunities available at Lifeways , and we offer nationally recognised qualifications which mark out a clear career pathway from an adult care worker through to managerial positions. Regular training opportunities such as first aid training help our support workers stay up to date with the ever-changing professional standards in the social care sector.

How do I know if becoming a support worker is the right job for me?

There’s no better way to understand the role of a support worker than to speak to someone who does the role themselves. At Lifeways, we hold regular career days and attend job fairs. This gives people interested in the role the opportunity to meet people first hand and talk through the role in detail.

For those in full time education, whether that’s university or college, we employ students throughout the summer break to offer them a chance to experience a career as a support worker. Not only is this a great experience, but a way for them to gain a thorough understanding of what it is to be a support worker, and a great opportunity should they decide to follow this path after completing their education.

How to become a support worker?

If you’re looking for a support worker role, please take a look at our careers section . We have many exciting opportunities across the country. You might also like to read our blog to find out more about what a career in supported living is like .

If you have any questions about becoming a support worker in one of our many Lifeways locations, please feel free to get in touch .

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Support worker job description

Support workers care for and support the well-being of vulnerable people. They enable their clients to live their lives as independently as possible, by providing tailored emotional and practical care.

They may support their patients within their own home, a residential care home or in a supported living environment. With such a diverse client base, support worker roles and responsibilities can be varied. However, the focus of the job is always to improve the quality of life for the client.

This detailed guide includes a full support worker job description and everything else you need to know about support workers, including salaries, skills, qualifications, typical employers and more.

Guide contents

How much do support workers earn?

What does a support worker do.

• Requirements, skills and qualifications

Who employs support workers?

Which junior jobs progress to support worker roles.

CV templates 

Support worker | Community Care Group

About Community Care Group

Our goal is to make a positive difference to the lives of elderly and vulnerable adults by supporting them in leading a fulfilling life, providing the highest standards of care and allowing them to live as independently as possible in their own homes.

About the role

We are looking to recruit support workers to provide a range of care services to clients within their own home, including personal care, food and drink preparation, assisting with travel and socialising and medication administration. Reporting to the care manager, you should be passionate about delivering the best standards of care and enhancing the lives of our clients.

Responsibilities

• Evaluating the practical and emotional needs of clients and creating detailed care plans.
• Assisting clients with daily personal care, such as bathing and dressing.
• Helping with light domestic tasks, such as cooking and cleaning.
• Providing assistance on living issues such as budgeting, shopping, letter writing and benefits.
• Monitoring the health of clients by regularly checking temperatures, pulses and weights.
• Being a source of emotional support for clients, by listening to and discussing their worries, problems and concerns.
• Generally supporting and encouraging the wellbeing of our clients.

Location & commitments

• Full and part-time permanent roles available.
• Overtime may be required during busy periods.
• Choice of weekday, weekend, day, night and/or evening shifts.
• Involves daily travel to and from client’s houses.

Candidate requirements

• 6 months+ experience of working in a health, care or support environment.
• Level 2 or 3 diploma in Health & Social Care.
• An interest in working with elderly and vulnerable adults in a caring environment.
• A friendly, approachable, empathetic and caring nature.
• A good level of spoken and written English.
• Reliable, flexible and adaptable attitude to work.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Full and up-to-date DBS check.
• Full UK driving license.
• Willingness to work towards a Health and Social Care diploma.

Contact us to apply

If you’d like to become a support worker, please contact our recruiter, Susan Jones by sending your CV and a short covering letter to [email protected].

Support workers earn an average salary of £19,000.

Support worker salaries in the UK

• Low: £16,622
• Average: £19,000
• High: £24,449

Source: TotalJobs

Support worker salaries will vary depending on;

• The industry of the employer – Generally speaking, support workers in the public sector earn the highest salaries.
• The specialism – Support workers who work in a specialised role, such as a dementia advisor, normally command a higher wage.
• General salary factors – Salaries will increase with experience, with senior or managerial support workers achieving significantly higher rates. Salaries tend to be higher in the South than the North.

It’s important to bear in mind that these are average figures taken from job advert samples and do not include additional benefits such as bonuses, overtime and pensions.

Breaking down the job description , support worker tasks and responsibilities will vary depending on the needs of the individual — but generally, typical duties include:

• Carrying out assessments – Carrying out initial assessment of each client’s needs, in order to identify the type of support needed.
• Creating care plans – Create written care plans detailing the type of support needed and how the support will be given.
• Assisting with personal care – Assisting with daily personal care, such as personal hygiene, dressing, using the toilet, eating and drinking.
• Helping with practical tasks – Helping with day-to-day tasks and light household chores, such as budgeting, letter writing, paying bills, preparing meals, cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping.
• Transporting clients – Assisting with transportation, for example, to and from a residential home or community facilities, medical appointments or school/college.
• Providing companionship – Being a companion and source of emotional support to clients by actively talking and listening to them about their problems, thoughts and feelings.
• Organising recreational activities – Organising fun and enriching activities, encouraging clients to pursue ambitions, learn new skills and take up hobbies.
• Supporting healthcare needs – Monitoring the health of clients, helping to administer medication and informing doctors and therapists of any problems.
• Reporting – Carrying out regular assessments, writing up reports and informing senior staff, family and friends of clients of any changes or progress.

What do support workers need?

Support workers are in high demand across the UK, meaning roles are readily available and staff are regularly taken on without prior training or experience.

However, exact requirements will vary depending on the seniority of the job, as well as the industry and type of client being cared for. But generally speaking, here’s what’s needed:

Support worker jobs generally don’t require any prior experience, as full training is often provided on the job. With that said, previous experience in a health or care role will still be a distinct advantage.

Senior support worker jobs normally require several years of experience of providing care and support to vulnerable individuals.

As support workers work with a wide range of vulnerable people, employers often lookout for the following soft skills in candidates:

• Interpersonal: A friendly and personable attitude, with the patience to talk and listen to individuals who may themselves have difficulty communicating.
• Written communication: The ability to maintain and create accurate written records and reports.
• A caring and empathetic nature: A kind, positive, patient and understanding approach, ensuring that clients feel relaxed and safe in their presence.
• Resilience: The ability to professionally and effectively deal with challenging, high-pressured and emotionally draining situations.
• Reliability: A commitment to providing the highest standards of care and showing up reliably and punctually, in order to provide a sense of safety and stability to the client.
• Organisation and planning: The ability to juggle numerous tasks and manage the time in each client’s home effectively, ensuring all essential duties have been completed.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Client’s needs do not stop when business hours end, meaning flexibility for unusual shifts, overtime and unsociable hours is essential.
• IT: Basic computer skills, in order to record up-to-date and accurate data on various devices.

Support worker qualifications

Qualifications are not essential to work as a support worker, as most employers provide full training and value hiring the right type of person over anything else.

With that said, some employers will ask for a basic standard of education, such as Grade A-C in English and Maths.

However, there are a number of further qualifications that are recognised across the profession and will help candidates to land a support worker role and, in some cases, allow faster opportunities for progression:

First Aid training

As support workers care for vulnerable individuals, having a basic understanding of what to do in an emergency situation can be the difference between life and death. A basic first aid training course or qualification will equip support workers with the skills they need to assist their clients in a medical emergency.

Safeguarding training

Completing a safeguarding course is a great way for support workers to ensure tdemhey have the correct skills to protect a vulnerable person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. A support worker’s job is ultimately to keep their clients safe, meaning an understanding of the key principles of safeguarding can be a distinct advantage in the job market.

Level 2, 3 4 or 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care

A diploma in He alth and Social Care will help candidates to gain the breadth of skills and knowledge required to care for others across a range of care settings. Students have the chance to specialise in the most relevant course pathway for their current role or future career goals — for example, children and young people, substance abuse and management, dementia care or learning disabilities.

Health and Social Care Degree or HND

A range of undergraduate and HND courses in Health and Social Care are available at various colleges and universities across the UK. While these are not a requirement for support worker roles, they may springboard candidates into higher paid senior and managerial level care roles.

What is expected of support workers?

Typically, support workers will be expected to commit the following:

• Full or part-time hours – Support worker roles are available on a variety of contracts, from ad-hoc bank agency work, to part-time and full-time temporary and permanent jobs.
• Shift work – Most staff are employed on a shift basis, which normally includes a mix of day, night, sleep-in, weekday and weekend shifts.
• Overtime – As support workers provide a vital lifeline for their clients, paid overtime is often available.
• Location – Depending on the type of employer, support workers may be based in-house at a residential care home or assisted living setting, or may be required to travel to client’s residential houses.
• Regular travel – Support workers who are based in a care home may still be required to transport residents to and from appointments, events and activities.

Support worker benefits

Support workers who are employed on a permanent basis normally receive a good benefits package, including things like:

• Flexible working hours
• Ongoing training
• Care worker/NHS perks and discounts

With a growing and ageing population, support workers are in high demand , making a career in the care sector a secure choice. As care services are needed everywhere, support worker jobs are available across the country — although opportunities are usually easier to come by in larger towns and cities.

The majority of social care jobs can be found with independent care organisations and agencies, but work can also be found in:

• Social services
• Local councils
• Not-for-profit organisations
• Supported housing organisations
• Nursing homes
• Residential homes

A job as a support worker is an entry-level role, meaning candidates can enter the profession without any professional experience. Generally, anyone over the age of 16 with a good standard of general education (GCSEs) can apply for a support worker role.

Support worker interview questions

Which senior jobs do support workers progress to?

Support work can open the door to many different opportunities and career paths, such as:

Senior support worker

With a few years of professional care experience, support workers can move into a senior or team leader role. This role involves planning, coaching and mentoring of a team of support workers and co-ordinating the daily provision of care and activities for clients, ensuring the consistent delivery of a high-quality service.

Care manager

Very experienced care professionals may be suitable for care manager roles, which generally involve taking responsibility for the management of a care service — for example, a daycare service, a residential home, or a company that provides support to clients in their own homes. These positions normally include recruiting and managing staff, overseeing budgets and making sure that the services provided, as well as staff, meet national care standards.

Social worker

For those who excel in their role, it may be possible to train to become a social worker. Many local authority employers offer sponsorship, meaning support workers can stay on the payroll whilst studying for a social work degree. These roles offer higher status within the care sector and generally command higher salaries.

Support worker job description – conclusion

Support workers are in high demand across the country and the role is varied and rewarding. Gaining a support worker job is a great way for entry-level job seekers to get their foot in the door of the care sector.

While wages often start relatively low, there are plenty of opportunities for career progression, and further study can bring significant salary increases. The job also offers flexible working hours and a strong sense of job security.

Similar jobs: Care assistant – Social worker