Career pathway

Supportive roles are entry level - like administrative roles and healthcare assistants. They are suitable if you are new to the sector or have just left school. For example, you might be leaving education with a keen interest in child development. 

Roles often involve supporting experienced or qualified colleagues. Some roles may be public facing like in a nursery, while others could be office based. 

Supportive roles are a great first step to get you onto the career ladder so you can progress.

What you need

Qualifications

You will need a GCSE in maths and English at grade C/grade 4 or functional skills level 2.

You'll usually need a minimum of a level 2 qualification in a relevant subject. For example, early years or health and social care. You could achieve this in school or further education. These courses are typically certificates/diplomas or NVQ's.

You might need a level 3 for some roles. For example, as a maternity support worker, you'll need to complete the level 3 maternity support worker (MSW) apprenticeship. This is usually completed on the job.

Skills

You'll generally need a basic understanding of working with children and young people. For example, the importance of safeguarding and working in a team. This could come from your studies, personal life, voluntary placements, or a previous job. 

You will likely already have some of the core skills needed for this career. For example, effective communication skills and empathy. You could reflect on what transferable skills you already have and consider which core skills you need to build on further. We use communication skills in everyday life for work, education, or in conversations with family and friends. You can begin practising your communication skills like how you listen and empathise.

Some education providers offer free short courses online - for example The Open University's free courses. They are a great way to build a basic understanding of topics and show your commitment to learning when you interview. 

See the core skills you need to work with children

Types of roles

• Maternity support worker
• Healthcare assistant
• Teaching assistant
• Child health screener - visiting children in schools to check their hearing, vision, height and weight measurements
• Children's care worker - providing care and support to children in specialist circumstances. For example, residential children's homes or additional need respite facilities.
• Support worker - offering additional support to children. This could be working in children's mental health or social care.
• Nursery worker/apprentice (level 2). See our webpage on early years and childcare careers.
• Family services volunteer - working in a community setting to support parents and provide family activities
• Administrators and waiting list coordinators - completing admin duties to support the running of a service. This could be public facing or office based.
• Healthy child service assistant - supporting nurses and health visitors to offer services to families. For example, child development checks.
• Just One call handler - answering calls for children's health visiting, mental health, and speech and language therapy