How to create a Support Worker CV?

If you're interested in pursuing a career as a support worker in the UK, you're in the right place. This CV writing guide is designed to help you no matter where you are in your professional journey, whether you're a recent high school graduate, newly qualified, or a seasoned professional seeking a new position.

We've compiled a comprehensive support worker CV example tailored to the health and social care landscape. This guide provides you with the tools you need to create a good CV that will pass application tracking systems (ATS) and catch the attention of recruiters or hiring managers. 

We've created a sample CV for a support worker, specifically designed for the health and social care industry. If you're interested in pursuing a career in this field, writing a compelling CV can be daunting, especially if you have no experience. But don't worry! Our step-by-step guide will help you create a modern CV that effectively showcases your skills and experience, regardless of your level of experience.

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Support Worker CV example

Samantha's CV highlights her mental health expertise and experience as a support worker with well-ordered sections. It's a great example of an impactful and visually appealing CV that showcases support worker qualities and skills, experience, and relevant qualifications to potential employers.

Interested in a cover letter? See the matching support worker cover letter.

Support workers play a vital role in various fields, and there are many different types of support worker roles available, such as:

• General Care Assistant Support Worker

• Disability Support Worker

• Elderly Support Worker

• Family Support Worker

• Learning Disability Support Worker

• Mental Health Support Worker.

What to include in a support worker CV?

When writing a CV for a support worker role, you need to distinguish between primary and optional sections. The primary sections of your CV are essential in highlighting your qualifications and demonstrating your suitability for the role, while the optional sections offer supplementary information to make your CV more unique. Refer to the caregiver CV or counsellor CV examples for more insights.

Mention your career goals in a personal profile

To craft a strong personal profile, you need to highlight your unique soft skills and experience that make you an ideal candidate. Begin by briefly summarising your professional background, emphasising relevant qualifications or certifications. Below are examples of various levels of support workers:

Refer to our social worker, healthcare or care assistant CV example for more related tips.

List support worker skills

To distinguish yourself as a strong candidate for a support worker role, you must showcase your soft and hard skills on your CV. While identifying and emphasising these skills may be difficult, evaluating your strengths and pinpointing your core skills can significantly enhance your CV.

To help get you started, we've compiled a list of professional and personal support worker skills you can consider adding to your CV.

Examples of hard skills for a support worker CV:

• Basic medical procedures

• Knowledge of medical terminology and abbreviations

• Proficiency in using medical equipment and devices

• Understanding of infection control and hygiene practices

• Medication management and administration

• Developing care plans and updating patient records

• Conducting health assessments and evaluations

• Providing physical support and mobility assistance

• Knowledge of specific conditions and disabilities.

Examples of soft skills for a support worker CV:

• Empathy and compassion

• Communication skills

• Active listening skills

• Patience and a calm demeanour in dealing with challenging situations

• Flexibility and adaptability to changing work environments

• Teamwork and collaboration

• Problem-solving and critical thinking

• Time management and organisational skills

• Attention to detail.

For more information, refer to our article on how to add skills to your CV.

Include work experience and showcase achievements

Your work experience is the backbone of your CV, giving potential employers insight into how you've applied your skills in previous roles. To showcase your abilities as a support worker, it's essential to detail your work experience, starting with your most recent job. Make sure to include your job title, employer's name and location, and the dates of your employment. Including specific examples of how you positively impacted the lives of those you cared for is crucial.

For more detailed advice and examples, refer to how to include work experience on a CV.

Mention additional work experience if relevant

If you have little to no work experience in the support worker field, don't worry. There are still ways to showcase your skills and qualifications on your CV. One way is to gain experience through placements and apprenticeships.

• Placements can be done during college or in between semesters. It shows employers that you're dedicated to gaining experience and willing to work in your free time.

• Apprenticeships provide hands-on experience and can take 6 to 18 months to complete. By the end, you will better understand your duties and responsibilities as a support worker, including care planning, safeguarding, and communication skills.

List education and qualifications

List qualifications and relevant training such as NVQs and first aid. Employers expect sound literacy and numeracy skills in addition to relevant healthcare qualifications. Include university degrees with honours, whether 2:1 or first and special qualifications like NVQ level 2 or level 3 for senior roles. List care certificates separately under "Certifications".

If applicable, your education can include the following:

• University degree: Honours can be included but only recommended if it is 2:1 or a first. If you are still a student, add your expected graduation date.

• GCSE’s or A levels (or equivalent): Most importantly, include your math and English, as this is usually what support worker recruiters seek.

• Special qualifications: Support workers must have at least NVQ level 2 or 3 for more leadership/senior roles. Some employers may not require you to finish your diploma when starting the position, but you must at least work towards it.

• Care certificates: Some people who need more training or relevant experience tend to receive training on the job. You may be provided resources to complete the care certificate during this time. This certificate will give you the knowledge and skills needed for social and healthcare support worker positions.

For more tips, refer to the below articles:

• How to Write the CV Education Section

• How to List Courses and Certificates on a CV in 2024

Key takeaways

It's great that you've taken the time to read this article on how to write an effective support worker CV. By now, you should be in full gear to know how to apply the right keywords. So, as you start applying for support worker jobs, keep these key takeaways in mind and continue to invest time and effort into crafting your CV to showcase your best self to future employers.

Next steps?

Iron out any creases using our CV builder with 20+ templates and professional designs to choose from. To accompany your travel agent CV, discover our cover letter templates. If you don’t want to leave anything to chance, connect with our professional CV Writing Service. Draw inspiration from our blog for tips on saving time, emphasise important sections and make it easier for hiring managers to grasp your unique professional offer.

For different CV formats or templates, consider the following:

• Skills-based CV

• Chronological CV

• Career change CV

• Simple CV.

FAQ

What references to include in a support worker CV?

References, or referees, have experience working directly with you in a professional environment. They can offer greater insight into your capabilities and personal characteristics. Recruiters can contact them to provide additional information on a candidate regarding their skillset and suitability for the open position. If you don't have work experience, this can also be a teacher or professor.

Can I have a criminal record and still become a Support Worker? 

Having a criminal record doesn't necessarily mean you can't become a support worker, but it will depend on the nature and severity of the offence. Employers have a legal obligation to carry out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks on all potential employees in the health and social care sector, including support workers. The DBS check will reveal any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings you may have.

What are recognised institutions for health and social care in the UK?

These institutions play a crucial role in ensuring high standards of care and professionalism in the UK's health and social care sector.

• The National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK and is the largest employer of health and social care workers in the country.

• Skills for Care: The UK's workforce development body for adult social care provides training and development opportunities for care workers and managers.

• The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent regulator of health and social care in England, responsible for inspecting and rating care providers to ensure they meet certain standards.

• The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the world's largest nursing union and professional body, representing nurses and nursing students in the UK.

• The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) is the professional body for occupational therapists in the UK, providing education, training, and support for its members.

• The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is the regulatory body for healthcare professionals in the UK, ensuring that they meet specific standards of education, training, and conduct.

What more can I do to stand out from other support workers? 

Consider pursuing additional training or certifications in areas relevant to your field, such as first aid or mental health. You can also gain practical experience by volunteering in related roles, such as at a community centre, hospital, or care home. Networking can also help you stand out in the field. Attend job fairs, conferences, and events related to your industry to connect with potential employers and other professionals. Choosing the right CV template for a support worker can further enhance your application.

Where to find open positions for support workers in the UK?

To find job opportunities for support workers in the UK, consider searching on job platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Reed.co.uk, and CharityJob using search terms like "Support Worker," "Personal Care Assistant," "Caretaker," "Personal Support Worker," "Support Assistant," "Care Associate," and "Support Associate." If you are still looking for suitable jobs, check the websites of organisations or companies you'd like to work for or email them directly.

Should you include hobbies and interests on my CV?

Consider including hobbies or interests that demonstrate qualities sought in the job posting, such as volunteering for a support worker job, which shows compassion, caregiving skills, and dedication to bettering the community. Focus on transferable skills you may have learned, as recruiters and employers will only read material information.