Support worker in a care home

Support workers provide a warm, loving home environment for adults. Care homes include those for older people, for people with disabilities or those specialising in mental health support. When you get a job you’ll register with the SSSC. Unless you’re already qualified you’ll work towards an SVQ or Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF level 6. A Foundation Apprenticeship can give you a head start gaining these qualifications.

Support worker in a person’s own home or supported housing

Most of these roles involve supporting adults but you can also support children, young people and families. It could include a young person’s first supported tenancy, temporary accommodation for people at risk of becoming homeless or a home that someone has lived in for many years. When you get a job you’ll register with the SSSC. Unless you’re already qualified you’ll work towards an SVQ or Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF level 6. A Foundation Apprenticeship can give you a head start gaining these qualifications.

Other role examples

In roles like family support worker, personal assistant or day care officer you may not need to register with the SSSC. However these qualifications could be useful in your career and can prepare you to work with people of all ages.

Practitioner or supervisor in a care home

Support workers in care homes (see jobs at SCQF level 6) can progress to practitioner or supervisor posts. Unless you’re already qualified you’ll work towards an SVQ, Modern Apprenticeship or HNC at SCQF level 7. Supervisors also need a PDA Social Services and Healthcare (or equivalent).

Support worker or supervisor in a person’s own home or supported housing

The minimum SSSC qualification requirement for support workers in care at home or housing support is at SCQF level 6. However the range of responsibilities held means that qualifications at SCQF level 7 can be useful. Supervisors will need an SVQ, Modern Apprenticeship or HNC at this level plus a PDA Social Services and Healthcare (or equivalent).

Other role examples

In roles like family support worker, personal assistant or day care officer you may not need to register with the SSSC. However these qualifications could be useful in your career and can prepare you to work with people of all ages.

Supervisors, managers and care inspectors

Check the details in each qualification to find out which of the following SSSC registration categories they meet:

• supervisor or manager in a care home, care at home or housing support service
• manager in an adult day care service
• care inspector.

Other role examples

Not all roles require SSSC registration. If you are in a relevant role in social services these qualifications may help you build your career. Nurses and some other healthcare professionals may work in any of these settings. They will register with the regulatory body for their profession. If they are employed as a support worker, supervisor or manager they can choose to register with the SSSC instead. Select other university courses to learn more.