You could do a college course to get into this job. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Work Preparation for Health and Social Care
• Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Health and Social Care
• Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

Most health and social care courses include work placements so this could be a good way of getting experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

You could do a Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or a Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. 

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

You could start as a healthcare assistant and learn on the job. You could then do training to move into occupational therapy work.

You'll find it useful to get some voluntary work experience in healthcare.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT.

You can apply directly for occupational therapy support worker roles if you've got skills and experience from working in a care or healthcare role.

Employers might want you to have a qualification in a subject related to health, and experience of working with people.

You'll need:

• knowledge of psychology
• to be flexible and open to change
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As an occupational therapy support worker, you could:

• encourage clients with mental health issues to create a daily routine
• assist children with physical disabilities to enjoy play activities
• help clients who have had a stroke or been in an accident to adjust to their disability
• show clients how to use equipment that helps them to live independently
• check that equipment is in good working order and keep a record of items

You could work in an NHS or private hospital or at a client's home.