Key takeaways
- A carer is generally someone who provides unpaid support to a family member, friend, or neighbour, and the arrangement can be temporary or permanent.
- Support workers are paid professionals engaged to assist people with tasks they need help with, operating as a formal, structured source of support.
- Carers and support workers often complement each other, and many people rely on both at the same time without the roles being mutually exclusive.
- Support workers on Mable may focus on social connection, personal care, independence, and general wellbeing, depending on what the client needs.
- Personal qualities like respect, honesty, flexibility, and communication skills are just as important as formal training when it comes to effective support work.
Support workers and carers play an important role in helping people with aged care support needs or disability support needs. Together, they help to reduce emotional and physical strain on the person and improve their overall health and wellbeing.
The roles of a support worker and carer, however, differ in some key ways.
Carers, their role and responsibilities
Carers Australia defines a ‘carer’ as a person who provides unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged. An unpaid carer might be a partner, family member, friend or neighbour and the arrangement may be temporary or permanent.
A carer’s role differs greatly depending on the person’s needs. They are usually responsible for the management of medications, and also provide emotional and social support. Caring may also involve help with organising and attending appointments, banking and dealing with emergencies.
Carers don’t necessarily live with the person they are caring for and they aren’t always the main source of care and support.
Support workers
Support workers are professionals who are engaged by people who need support to do tasks they may need assistance with. Support workers are paid, formal supports.
While the specifics of the role depend on the client, independent support workers on Mable may focus on tasks that alleviate physical discomfort and promote social connectedness, independence, emotional wellbeing and general health.
Support workers may provide:
- Social support
- Help around the home
- Work and study assistance
- Personal care
- Independent living support
- Travel support.
Being a support worker can be a highly rewarding yet demanding career. A passion and dedication to maximising the quality of life of those receiving your support is essential. Personal qualities like respect, honesty, flexibility and communication skills give support workers a well-rounded base to connect with clients.
Learn more about what support workers do and how you can become a support worker.