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How to write a Support Worker cover letter (with examples)
Your Support Worker cover letter, sometimes called a supporting statement, is a one page document submitted alongside your CV. It’s an opportunity to stand out from other applicants and convince the recruiter you’re the right person for the job.
On average, it takes recruiters six seconds to decide if someone is suitable for a job. 1 Therefore, a well written Support Worker cover letter can increase your chances of getting an interview .
If you’re looking for a job as a Support Worker, why not apply for one of our roles at Alina Disability Support today? We don’t require a cover letter or CV, so it only takes two minutes to apply!
If you’ve already perfected your Support Worker CV and want your application to stand out, this guide will help you understand what to include in your cover letter. We’ve included tips and examples to give you a better chance of getting an interview.
How to write a Support Worker cover letter
Your cover letter should always be personalised and specific to the job you’re applying for. Therefore, it’s important to research both the job and hiring company so that your cover letter is tailored to the role.
Try not to repeat what’s already in your CV. Instead, provide examples of how your work and life experiences and achievements are applicable to the role of a Support Worker. Take this opportunity to show off your key Support Worker skills and leave an impression on the recruiter. You want to make sure you sell yourself!
Your cover letter needs to be concise but persuasive. Good communication is a key skill for the role of a Support Worker so make sure you demonstrate this throughout.
Your cover letter should follow a clear format and include the following:
- Introduction
Cover letter header
Your cover letter header is the first thing the recruiter will see so make it look professional. For instance, if you have a header on your CV, follow the same format on your cover letter to create consistency and show professionalism.
Start your Support Worker cover letter by providing your contact details in the header so the recruiter can contact you. This is usually located in the top right hand corner of the page. Include essential information such as your full name, email address and phone number.
On the left hand side, write the names of the recruiter and the company you’re applying to. You should have this information to hand after you’ve done your research on the job role. If it’s not clear who the recruiter is then you can address your cover letter to the Recruiting Manager.
The following image shows how to lay out your Support Worker cover letter header:
Cover letter greeting
Always start your cover letter with ‘Dear’ and if you know the name of the recruiter, then address them directly.
When addressing someone by their name, you should only use the prefixes Mr. or Ms. If you’re unsure whether the recruiter is male or female, you don’t want to start off on the wrong foot and misgender them. Instead, use their full name, such as ‘Dear Alex Rider’, or you can simply put ‘Dear Recruiting Manager’.
Cover letter introduction
The introduction to your Support Worker cover letter is your opportunity to grab the recruiter’s attention and explain why they should choose you.
Here are some ideas of what you might want to include in your introduction:
- The role you have applied for. In the opening few lines of your cover letter, it’s a good idea to mention the position you’re applying for. The recruiter most likely receives many applications for other job roles so be clear about the position you’re interested in
- Your interest in the position and company. What is it that made you apply for the role of Support Worker at this company? Use your research to comment on the values of the company and why you want to work with them
- Outline your qualifications. Identify any skills or qualifications you have and explain how they would help you to be a great Support Worker. If you’re applying with no previous experience, explain how your previous work and life experiences are applicable to this role
Cover letter main body
Once you’ve explained why you’re a great fit for the role, you want to convince the recruiter you deserve an interview.
Look at the job description to understand the role of a Support Worker and research what qualities they should have. Here, you want to demonstrate you meet as many of the requirements as possible.
Try to relate your skills to the position. For instance, “As a result of working with several service users at the same time, my organisational abilities are exceptional.”
If you’re particularly good at something which isn’t mentioned as a key quality of a Support Worker, don’t be afraid to include it and say how or why this will help you in this role. For example, you could say that you exercise regularly which is good for your mental health and allows you to meet the demands of the role to the best of your ability.
If you have previous Support Worker experience, this is where you want to mention previous successes. Talk about how you’ve gone above and beyond to support service users. Additionally, include any positive feedback that you received from their family members. This could set you apart from other applicants by revealing how you interact with service users and the level of service you can provide.
Don’t worry if you have no Support Worker experience or even no previous work experience at all. If you’re applying for a job for the first time, you can still mention any positions you’ve held in the past. This could include voluntary positions, education or extracurricular activities.
Key qualities of a Support Worker:
- Passion – be passionate about the support you provide and the needs of the service user. An enthusiastic Support Worker sees their work as a professional duty rather than a job. Ensure your support is focused on the interests of the service user and their families. Go above and beyond to guarantee high quality support is provided
- Patience & empathy – a good Support Worker is empathetic and can put themselves in the shoes of the individuals they support. This allows you to fully understand the needs of the service user and tailor the support you provide around their requirements. Showing patience and understanding of their needs is essential
- Encouragement – a key quality is to understand the importance of a positive attitude. Always greet your service users with a smile. Encourage the people you support to lead a fulfilling life and provide support when needed to ensure they achieve their personal goals
- Reliability – you must be trustworthy and committed to being on time. Be aware of the effect that untimeliness can have on a service user’s routine
- Respectful – always respect the service users’ decisions. Never assume they cannot make choices for themselves
- Excellent communication – a good Support Worker can communicate clearly and sensitively with the people they support and their family members. Being easy to talk to and a good listener is extremely important in providing high quality support
Cover letter conclusion
Once you’ve written a convincing case, thank the recruiter for taking the time to read your cover letter and consider your application. In this section, you can repeat your enthusiasm for the role and why you would be a good addition to the company.
Finish your letter with a polite request for an interview so the recruiter knows you’re eager to progress with your application.
Finally, end your Support Worker cover letter with a professional sign off such as ‘Yours sincerely’ or ‘Kind regards,’ followed by your full name.
Cover letter examples
To help you write your Support Worker cover letter, here are two examples below that follow our recommended structure. While submitting a job application could be stressful, these cover letter examples are a starting point to help you.
There are many ways of writing a good Support Worker cover letter. Make sure you don’t use these examples word for word as a unique and personalised letter is more likely to secure you a better outcome!
Example 1 – No previous experience
Dear Mr. Rider,
I’m writing to apply for the position of a Support Worker at [company name] which I have seen advertised on [where]. I believe I would be a great candidate for this role as I have a passion for caring and making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Although I have no previous experience in this sector, I’m enthusiastic about my work. My current employer frequently gives me high praise for my efficiency, teamwork and punctuality. I have excellent listening, organisational and time management abilities from my previous employment, which are all necessary qualities of a Support Worker.
I’m responsible and dependable, and I understand the need to maintain the confidentiality of service users’ information in this role. I have strong administrative skills so I’m confident I can manage multiple tasks at once.
If my application is successful, I aim to put my existing talents to use while also developing new ones at your company. I’m eager to learn new skills and complete any necessary training to ensure that I have the specialised knowledge required to perform my role.
Becoming a part of your team at [company name] will enable me to fulfil my desire to support young adults, allowing them to maintain their independence in daily life. The prospect of working for a growing business and making a positive impact inspires me. I’m eager to demonstrate how my compassionate and enthusiastic attitude may help your service users to have a positive experience.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I hope to hear from you with regards to arranging an interview.
Yours sincerely, Jane Doe
Example 2 – Previous experience
Dear Recruiting Manager,
I’m very keen to apply for the position of Support Worker at [company name] as advertised on [where]. With over five years’ experience working as a Support Worker, I believe I would make a strong addition to your team.
In previous positions, I’ve successfully managed a demanding caseload of individuals with varying degrees of learning and physical disabilities. I have experience working with service users in challenging situations and I can handle such matters in a calm and sensitive manner.
I have a caring and compassionate nature, as well as a genuine interest in helping others to lead fulfilling lives. I’m comfortable working with service users of all ages and varying levels of ability. I use my considerate and non-judgemental attitude to carefully determine the needs of the individuals I support.
I always encourage conversation and show joy in listening to service users’ stories about their lives, family and friends to help build trusting relationships. I’m reliable at timekeeping because I understand the effect lateness can have on a service user’s routine. I’m used to working flexible hours, including nights and on weekends.
I’ve recently completed my NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care, and I have certifications in CPR and First Aid. The attached CV provides further details about how my qualifications and previous experience will make me an ideal match for your team.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I would be grateful for the chance to be a part of such an amazing company and I hope to hear from you soon to organise an interview.
Kind regards, Jane Doe
Cover letter tips
It’s important to make your Support Worker cover letter personalised and ensure that it represents you. Recruiters receive many cover letters so will be able to tell if you have copied a template from the internet. Use examples to help you but make sure your final copy is unique and customised to the company you’re applying for!
Use these extra tips to add a personal touch:
Writing style – use the right tone to match the company you’re applying for. A cover letter should be professional, but you also want to write in a way that reflects you as a person
Format – match the format and design to your CV. Your cover letter is an extension of your CV, so you want it to be clear the documents are a complete package. If you need help with writing your CV, download our Support Worker CV template
Spell check – make sure your cover letter is free of any grammatical or spelling mistakes. Try to read your cover letter out loud or ask a friend or family member to proofread it for you. You could also use an online program such as Microsoft Word which has a built in spell check function
Be concise – write a cover letter that shows how you fulfil the requirements of a Support Worker. Use your own work and life experiences to show you can do the job. Write about personal or professional achievements but don’t tell a story that is too wordy or long. If you have gaps in your work history, take this opportunity to explain them
Be appropriate – avoid mentioning anything which is not necessary in a cover letter. Don’t mention why you’re looking for a new position in case it comes across as being negative about your current employer. Avoid talking about salary expectations as it’s too early to discuss at this stage. This can make it look like you’re more interested in the benefits the company can provide, rather than how you can benefit the company
Be honest – avoid mentioning anything untruthful or emphasising any skills that you don’t have. If you’re invited for an interview and are asked about any of these, this could be detrimental. Focus only on the skills and experience that you do have and how they can be applied to this job. Make it clear that you’re willing to learn!
Now that you know how to write the perfect Support Worker cover letter, get started now !
Email our Jobs Team or apply below to join Alina Disability Support.
1. My Perfect CV, “CV Examples and Samples” , Reviewed 19 April 2023
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