Support representative in a care home

JOB

Support representative in a care home

A support representative in a care home assists those who need specialized assistance with activities of daily living; housekeeping, socializing and leisure. The work involves people with disabilities and/or mental illnesses and others who need support for a longer or shorter period of time.

The work of support representatives in care homes can be quite varied due to the different needs of the clients. Support representatives usually work with other professionals and experts where decisions are made about treatment forms, organization and plans.

Main tasks

assisting with household chores; cleaning, cooking and laundry
guiding and assisting with clothing selection and hygiene
assisting with feeding and putting on clothes if needed
assisting with errands such as shopping and communication with institutions
providing companionship to the residents of a care home
guiding and assisting with human interaction
assisting with participation in leisure activities

Competence requirements

Support representatives must have a high level of empathy, be interested in helping others and be able to guide and motivate. Conscientiousness, organized work methods and knowledge of clients’ needs and abilities are extremely important qualities. As a support representative, it is good to be in good physical and mental condition.

Study

There is no formal requirement for education in order to work as a support representative, but various types of education in the fields of pedagogy and health can be useful, and various courses may be available.

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