The first step in applying for a disability support worker job is to create a CV that highlights your strengths and accurately documents your qualifications, talents, and experience. Our free disability support worker CV sample is an invaluable tool that gives you an insight into what information you should include and how to format your CV.

To make things easier, we’ve paired this with step-by-step guidance on each section of your disability support worker CV – along with a selection of CV templates and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from current and prospective disability support workers.

This page will guide you through each step of the process, from learning how to structure your CV to showcasing your skills effectively, covering:

  • Disability support worker CV sample
  • Disability support worker CV templates
  • The best format for your disability support worker CV
  • How to write a CV for a disability support worker
  • Dos and don’ts for your disability support worker CV
  • Your disability support worker CV questions answered

SEARCH ALL CV EXAMPLES

⚲

    Sample disability support worker CV

    disability support worker cv

    Anna McDonald
    195 Crown Street
    London W12 4WB
    07912 345 678
    annamcd@example.com

    Professional summary

    Diligent worker focused on providing optimal support to clients through personalised assistance and care required to manage diverse medical conditions. Proficient in organising medications, doctor appointments, and personal activities. Caring, organised, friendly with excellent interpersonal skills.

    Work history

    Disability support worker, 01/2024 – Current
    AbleCare UK, London

    • Met needs of clients with learning difficulties and handled challenging behaviours.
    • Kept detailed daily logs with care actions, patient behaviours and all incidents.
    • Determined ongoing patient safety, promptly reporting concerns about abuse or safeguarding issues to care managers.
    • Collaborated with external support providers to maintain good care continuity.
    • Respected service users’ autonomy through inclusive discussion on care plan developments and goal setting.

    Disability support worker, 07/2022 – 01/2024
    JourneyWorks, Manchester

    • Worked alongside a team of multidisciplinary professionals to devise care plans managing complex compound problems.
    • Adapted support where possible to increase service accessibility.
    • Offered practical daily living advice, including financial planning, housing support and legal guidance.
    • Applied mobility assistance knowledge to safely ambulate patients in varying elevations and obstacles.

    Education

    Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults), 2022
    London Care College

    GCSEs, 2019
    London Secondary School – London
    English (B), Mathematics (C ), Science (C ), Health & Social Care (A), Geography (B)

    Skills

    • Nutrition management
    • Mobility support
    • Care planning
    • Coping strategy implementation
    • Trauma-informed care
    • Behaviour analysis

    Certifications and licenses

    Certificate in Disability Awareness and Support, Online Training, UK Care Training Provider
    Completed: February 2022

    First Aid and CPR Certification, Red Cross, London
    Completed: November 2022

    Create this CV

    Disability support worker CV template

    Creating a disability support worker CV is easy with our pre-designed CV templates. These trusted designs will help you structure your CV to make your job application look professional. With the right preparation and our resources, you’ll increase your chances of making a lasting first impression on the recruiter.

    Choose template

    The best format for your disability support worker CV

    If you do your research, you’ll probably come across a few different CV formats for your disability support worker CV. Thankfully, it’s quite a simple choice in most cases. The reverse-chronological CV format is the most popular amongst UK recruiters, and typically suits the experience profile of most disability support workers.

    Alternatively, a skills-based format is sometimes used by candidates without much experience. In this case, your skills section follows the personal statement. However, this would only be suitable for entry-level disability support worker roles, where training is provided by the employer – given that most other jobs will require sufficient experience.

    Here are some additional tips to consider when writing your CV for a disability support worker job:

    • Keep sections clear and distinct. Use a bigger font for headings and separate each section, such as the personal statement or work experience, to improve readability.
    • Use bullet points for skills and responsibilities. This allows you to break down the contents of your CV for easy scanning.
    • Don’t exceed one page. In the UK, employment CVs are typically expected to be concise and only mention the qualifications and experience directly related to the job you’re applying for.
    • Choose a simple, clean template. CVs with excessive graphics or bold colour combinations are usually reserved for creative fields and can distract from your qualifications in a disability support worker application.
    Choose your format now

    How to write a CV for a disability support worker

    After selecting your disability support worker CV’s format, it’s time to start writing your application. Our detailed guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to create a strong, effective CV that highlights not only your skills and experience but also your dedication to supporting those in need.

    Here’s a breakdown of the key sections you’ll find here:

    How to add contact details to your disability support worker CV

    Contact details are one of the most important parts of your CV. Thankfully, they’re pretty simple to get right. To start with, place them at the top so they’re easy for recruiters to spot. Then, make sure you include:

    • Name: You’d be surprised how often it’s forgotten!
    • Address: Include your town or postcode for clarity.
    • Phone number: Make sure to include one that you actually use.
    • Email address: Ensure it’s work-appropriate.

    Example of contact section for a disability support worker CV

    Anna McDonald
    195 Crown Street
    London W12 4WB
    07912 345 678
    annamcd@example.com

    Starting your disability support worker CV with a personal statement

    Disability support worker vacancies attract lots of competition, so it’s important to start your CV on the right foot with a strong personal statement. Also known as a professional summary, this single paragraph aims to summarise your capabilities, personal qualities and background to a recruiter – with a view to making them read on.

    Here are some tips you can use to create a memorable personal statement that increases your chances of landing a job interview:

    • Write in the third person to shift the focus from you to what you offer.
    • Keep it concise with 3-4 sentences maximum.
    • Use plenty of positive adjectives like “caring”, “patient”, and “reliable”.
    • Mention job-specific competencies that fit the job description, such as “one-to-one support”.
    • Highlight any specialisms you have, such as age groups.

    Example of personal statement for a disability support worker CV

    An experienced and qualified disability support worker with excellent communication skills and a caring and patient personality. Supports clients to live as independently as possible by implementing effective programmes to help develop skills and abilities that allow them to participate in their local community. Comfortable working in one-to-one-situations with people of varying levels of disability and all ages. Seeking a role with a quality support provider where I can continue to help people reach their potential and lead fulfilled lives.

    OR

    Dedicated and client-centred disability support worker with a strong background in supporting individuals with a range of physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities. Known for a compassionate approach, excellent communication skills, and adaptability in dynamic care environments. Certified in First Aid and CPR, with hands-on experience in personal care, mobility support and implementation of individual care plans.

    Create my CV

    Adding experience to your disability support worker CV

    Work experience is a crucial part of any disability support worker CV. When it comes to supporting people with disabilities, you can’t take any chances. Recruiters want someone who can hit the ground running – and your experience is how you show you’re up to the task. 

    Roles should be listed starting with the most recent or your current job. For each job, you’ll need to include:  

    • The start and end date 
    • Job title, employer, and location 
    • A brief list of duties and responsibilities
    • Achievements, awards, and promotions

    The best advice here is to make sure those duties don’t overlap and repeat one another. If you’ve covered financial assistance and life skills in one job, for instance, it’s better to focus on personal care and medication in another. This will provide a more well-rounded view of your experience and abilities for recruiters, which is important for a job with such diverse requirements.

    Example of work experience for a disability support worker CV

    Disability Support Worker, Private Home, Southampton
    August 2022 – present
    Duties included:

    • Carrying out personal care duties, including showering and bathing, dressing, toileting, assisting with mobility and providing feeding assistance.
    • Providing assistance with medication, documentation, shopping and domestic duties as required.
    • Teaching life skills.

    Disability Support worker, DSW Care Ltd, Portsmouth 
    March 2021 – August 2022

    Providing personal and practical care for adults with learning disabilities who require extra support.

    Duties included:

    • Assisting with all personal care and mobility needs.
    • Promoting the mental and physical activity of service users by supporting them in household tasks, hobbies, outings and holidays.
    • Performing domestic duties, including cleaning, laundry and preparation of meals.

    Disability Support Worker, Spectrum Care, Salisbury
    December 2020 – March 2021 

    Supporting female and male adults with complex needs and challenging behaviours to develop independent living skills following their individual care plans.

    Duties included:

    • Organising outings and holidays.
    • Communicating with care managers on behalf of clients.
    • Assisting clients with money management.

    Top skills for your disability support worker CV

    Disability support workers have a wide range of duties and responsibilities, from direct personal care to emotional support or crisis intervention. It’s therefore important that your CV skills show that you’re up to the task. A carefully prepared skills section can show employers that you’re well prepared to meet the varied demands of the role, highlighting both essential skills and desirable qualities.

    When you’re writing this section of your disability support worker CV, remember to include both hard and soft skills. Presenting yourself as a candidate with a diverse range of skills will help you to showcase your technical abilities as well as your empathy, patience and communication skills. A balanced skill set will demonstrate that you can handle the physical demands of the role while providing compassionate care to clients.

    Here are some must-haves and desirables to include:

    Essential skills for a disability support worker

    • Essential care skills
    • First aid
    • Physical assistance
    • Behavioural support and crisis
    • Quality of life enhancement
    • Documentation and record keeping

    Desirable aptitudes to set you apart

    • Full UK driving licence
    • Food hygiene certificate
    • Respite care
    • Physically fit
    • Problem solving
    • Good listening

    Outlining education on a disability support worker CV

    While experience is valuable, having a strong educational foundation is also crucial for disability support workers. Ideally, you should have a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, which will provide you with essential knowledge in areas such as safeguarding, support planning and health and safety. This is an essential requirement for most care recruiters and demonstrates a clear commitment to professional standards.

    In some cases, practical experience and on-the-job training can complement or replace formal qualifications in certain entry-level roles. However, without at least a Level 3 Diploma, you may be placed on a lower pay grade and have fewer opportunities for progression. In addition, recruiters tend to favour candidates with formal qualifications. 

    When you’re writing your education section, you can also list your school qualifications, such as GCSEs, to back up basic skills like English and maths. They’re valuable for effective communication and accurate record-keeping. In addition, any additional certificates can strengthen your CV. For a disability support worker, this could include certifications in first aid or manual handling.

    When listing education or other qualifications, there are a few key things you’ll want to include:

    • The school, college, university, or other training institution or awarding body
    • The year the qualification was awarded
    • The qualification level, such as BTEC or GCSE
    • The subject or course title

    Example of education for a disability support worker CV

    Southampton College of Further Education, 2012
    BTEC Level 3 Diploma
    Health and Social Care 

    Southampton Secondary School, 2009
    GCSEs (Biology, Psychology, English)

    Top dos and don’ts for disability support worker CV writing

    Do

    • DO research the company before applying

      Take the time to research the organisation you’re applying to. Understand their values, mission, and the specific needs of their clients. Obtaining this information will help you tailor your disability support worker CV and make your job application more memorable.

    • DO highlight experience that aligns with the job

      Make sure you only highlight work experience that is directly related to the job of a disability support worker. This focused approach will increase your chances of standing out to recruiters looking for someone with the right background.

    Don't

    • DON'T forget to proofread and format your disability support worker CV

      Ensuring that your CV is free of grammatical errors is a sign of professionalism and attention to detail. In addition, good formatting is essential – your CV should be clear, easy to read and well organised. Use headings, bullet points and consistent fonts to ensure that information is easy to follow.

    • DON'T forget to quantify your workplace achievements

      When describing your work experience, always try to include specific figures or outcomes wherever possible. Rather than simply stating that you “assisted clients with activities of daily living”, state how many clients you assisted. For example, “Assisted 15+ clients with personal care and daily activities, resulting in increased client satisfaction based on feedback surveys”.

    brand-image

    Your disability support worker CV questions answered

    What should be on a CV for a disability support worker?

    A disability support worker CV can include anything that shows your aptitude for the role and its requirements. In an ideal world, you’ll have specific experience as a carer or support worker – but you can also include other roles to demonstrate transferable skills like record keeping, problem solving, or communication.

    What is the job description of a disability support worker?

    While roles may vary, a general disability support worker job description includes:

    • Supporting people living with disabilities in their day-to-day lives
    • Assisting with personal hygiene and dressing
    • Completing domestic tasks like food prep and cleaning
    • Accompanying clients on days out, shopping trips, and hospital appointments.
    • Offering companionship and emotional support

    What type of training do disability support workers need to keep their skills current?

    As a disability support worker, you can keep your skills current by undertaking a mix of mandatory and supplementary training. This includes training in CPR, manual handling, or mobility assistance. Some elements of the job that have become increasingly important also include certifications in medication administration or infection control and hygiene training.

    What is the most important role of a disability support worker?

    Above all else, the most important role of a disability support worker is to provide support. Your role is to enable clients to live as independently as they can, by supporting them however required. That could be physical, emotional, or even educational support.

    What makes a good disability support worker?

    A good disability worker will have:

    • A strong foundation from their training, such as a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care.
    • Experience working with the relevant disabilities and age groups for the job they’re applying to.
    • The right personal qualities, including a caring nature, positive attitude, and self-motivation.
    Build my CV

    Build your disability support worker CV today

    Now that you’ve seen our sample CVs and read the tips, it’s time to put them into practice! In our online builder, you’ll find a selection of ready-made templates for your disability support worker CV, plus a selection of professional content tailored to your role and skills.

    Build my CV
    build-cv

    *The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with myperfectCV.