Building a career in supported living - FAQs

Looking for a role where you can support people with disabilities to live more fulfilling and independent lives? Supported living jobs offer just that, along with being a very rewarding and enjoyable career path that’s filled with different opportunities.

We often get asked about how to start a career in supported living, what it’s like, and what qualifications might be needed, and so we’re here to answer the most commonly asked questions.

What is supported living?

Supported living is a service that allows people living with complex needs to live in their own homes in the community, whilst being supported to increase or maintain their level of independence.

Read our blog to find out more about what supported living is.

Supported living job description

A supported living job involves providing care and support to people who live in their own homes, enabling them to live as independently as possible and helping them achieve their goals through creative care and support. This can include a range of tasks like personal care, household duties, medication management, and facilitating social activities and community engagement as well as showing compassion, patience and commitment every day. 

What is the difference between a care home and a supported living job? 

The main difference between a care home and supported living is the level of independence and the structure of the living environment. In a care home, residents live in a communal setting with 24-hour care and support, whereas supported living is better suited for people who require support to gain more independence to help them lead completely fulfilled lives in their own homes. 

There are many different roles available in supported living depending on your experience, from a Support Worker to a Team Leader or Service Manager. 

Duties of a support worker in supported living

The supported living duties will vary from job to job, but some of the main responsibilities include:

• Supporting people living with conditions including learning disabilities, autism, or physical disabilities, dependent on their needs and wishes - this can range from an hour or so a day, to 24/7 support.

• Helping people complete daily personal care tasks or providing health care needs, for example, dispensing medicine or routine healthcare checks.

• Empowering people to be happy and comfortable in their own home, and to feel confident in going out and getting the most from their local community.

• Providing emotional support to the people you support and their families.

What qualifications do I need to work in supported living?

The job role you are interested in will determine the qualifications required, with some jobs requiring more than others. At Lifeways, we are looking for positive, friendly people who are dedicated to making a positive difference to people's lives.

Having previous experience in the healthcare sector can be beneficial, but if you’re just starting out in your career, experience isn’t required, as we will provide on-the-job training. If you are switching careers, experience and skills in other areas, for example, time management, working well in a team and communication skills, can all be a significant advantage.

For more senior roles, such as applying to be a Team Leader, there will be specific requirements, for example:

• Previous working experience of the client group you are applying to work with.
• An NVQ Level 2 or 3 or above/equivalent in Health and Social Care, or the intention to work towards the qualification.

You can find out more about what being a Support Worker is like by heading to our page on the role of a support worker.

Supported living training and development opportunities

Working in supported living at Lifeways will offer you access to some fantastic training and development opportunities. 

Each person who joins our team is supported to follow 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 skilled and confident to provide quality care to the people you’ll support.

If you want to find out what career progression is like with Lifeways, read Catherine’s Story, where she shares her career progression and how the support from her managers at Lifeways got her to where she is today.

Why choose a career in supported living? 

Whilst working in supported living can be a challenging role at times, with lots of hard work needed, it’s a very rewarding career option. It’s all about helping make a positive difference to other people’s lives, and our support workers will often say that their biggest satisfaction is seeing the people they support become happier and more independent as a result of their work.
Another great thing about a career in supported living is that no two days are the same, and the job role is so varied that you will find yourself completing different tasks and learning new things every day.

Some of the best parts of the job are interacting with other people, sharing new experiences together, creating new memories and celebrating successes. You’ll enable people to meet their short- and long-term goals, overcome many challenges they have, and support them to build confidence, self-esteem and new friendships.

If you have seen a supported living job you like the look of at Lifeways, get prepared by reading our ‘top tips on preparing for your interview at Lifeways’

How much can you earn from a supported living job? 

Salaries for those working in supported living will depend on the specific role and location. 

Roles requiring greater experience or responsibility, such as team leaders and managers, will typically fall within higher pay brackets.

At Lifeways we place high value on ensuring all of our supported living teams have the opportunities and support needed to grow in their roles, and progress into leadership and management positions when the time is right. Maddi, a former make-up artist and now Deputy Manager, is a perfect example of the opportunities we provide - watch her video to find out more about her journey with us. 

How to find supported living jobs

At Lifeways, we help people to lead more fulfilling, independent lives by providing extraordinary support for adults with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries and mental health needs.

If you’re looking for a role in supported living, please take a look at our careers section. We have many exciting opportunities across the country.

Supported living jobs near you

If you have any questions regarding starting a career in supported living in one of our many Lifeways locations, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team.