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MŌ TE MAHI TAUTOKO
About
Support Work
Discover what support work is all about, why it matters, and how support workers help people with intellectual disabilities live independent, fulfilling lives.
A Real Look
at the Role
Support work is varied, practical and rewarding. You could be supporting daily routines, encouraging independence, helping someone connect with their community or simply being there when it matters most. Every day brings new experiences and opportunities to make a difference.
Watch our video of a day in the life of a support worker in New Zealand.
Supporting
People to Thrive
Every person is different, so the support they need will be different too. While no two days are ever the same, support work is centred around helping people build independence, participate in everyday life and achieve their personal goals.
Build my independence
Support workers help people make choices, do things for themselves and have greater control over their daily lives. You will encourage people to try tasks independently while providing the right level of support for each person’s abilities and needs.
Connect with my community
A support worker’s role includes supporting people to access community activities, services, education, employment, transport and places they enjoy. You may accompany someone to appointments, clubs, shops or social events while helping them participate safely and confidently.
Put down my roots
Support workers help people create a home and life that reflect who they are, what matters to them and how they want to live. You will support people to make choices, personalise their home, build relationships and develop confidence and skills to feel they belong and have genuine control over their future.
Support my health and wellbeing
You may help with personal care, healthy routines, appointments and keeping the home safe. You will follow support plans and workplace procedures while respecting each person’s privacy and choices.
Develop my everyday life skills
Support workers help people build practical skills to achieve independence such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, budgeting, using technology, travelling and managing routines. The focus is on practising skills in real life situations and building confidence at the person’s own pace for increased autonomy.
Build my relationships
Support workers help people develop meaningful relationships with family, friends, colleagues, housemates and their wider community. This may include supporting them to communicate their wishes, make choices about who they connect with, set personal boundaries and have control over how their relationships develop.
Support my personal goals
Support is by the person’s own aspirations, interests, culture, strengths and choices, not by assumptions about what others think is best for them. You may help someone plan and work towards goals related to home life, friendships, hobbies and health. You also may be helping them navigate career pathways and other personal development aspirations.
Is support work for you?
Explore whether support work could be right for you with our short questionnaire. It invites you to reflect on the qualities and attitudes involved in supporting people with intellectual disabilities.
You don’t need to answer “yes” to every question. What matters is a willingness to learn, seek support and work safely and respectfully with others.
Take the Quiz
AKO ME NGA TOHU
Learning and
Qualifications
All employers will train you to do this work well. Learning will be a combination of on the job and formal training. As you develop your career in Support Work and establish yourself they will encourage you to consider studying for nationally recognised qualifications.
ME PĒHEA TE NOHO HEI KAIMAHI TAUTOKO I AOTEAROA?
How do you become a support worker in New Zealand?
If you think support work is right for you and you would like to live in New Zealand, this section will guide you through each stage of the journey, helping you understand what to expect before you begin.
