Pak Lun Leung on His Support Worker Career Journey

Can you briefly describe your role and what you do?

Currently, I am a Senior Residential Support Worker working in a children's home. I specifically support young people with learning disabilities.

What does a typical day for a Support Worker look like for you?

We usually work shift hours. At the company I am with now, we work long day shifts, often starting at 8:00 AM and finishing late at night, or doing two continuous day shifts which involve sleeping in at the home.

During the day, we support the young people with their daily life routines. This includes meals, personal care, and education—some go to school while others are educated at the home itself. We also provide activities suitable for their needs and wishes, as well as administer medication.

You have quite an unusual career journey, having originally studied architecture. What led you to becoming a Support Worker?

I graduated with a Master's in Architecture in 2014 and practiced in Hong Kong for about five years. I loved designing buildings, but I felt a desire to devote my life to helping young people, so I eventually changed my career to education, becoming a secondary school teacher in mathematics, design, and technology.

Once I saw how passionate I was about dedicating my life to young people, I decided to take my career further outside of the classroom. It became part of my mission to start a children's home. I moved to the UK in 2022 and began working in a home to gain experience, understand the social systems here, and learn how to help more young people. I have now been in the industry for three years.

Is there a specific reason why you feel so driven to do this work?

I think a major reason is that my younger brother was born with disabilities. We lived together for over 30 years, so I have a lot of empathy for these situations. I know the difficulties of having a child with learning disabilities in the family and how much families struggle.

What skills or personal qualities do you think are important as a Support Worker?

Physical fitness is important because support workers usually work long hours. If you have a family of your own to take care of, you need that extra physical resilience to support both your work and your life at home.

To be honest, though, I think passion and compassion are the most important qualities. In some homes, particularly those supporting young people with Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties (EBD), the work can be very challenging. You need compassion to navigate that.

How do you enjoy the role, and what are the specific challenges?

I initially struggled because I had never imagined I would work in a job that involved supporting young people with their personal care. Some of my colleagues struggle with this too—dealing with bowel movements and hygiene is difficult.

However, when I see the development of those young people, it amazes me. It reminds me of growing up with my brother; every time we saw development or improvement in him, our family was so happy. It is the same feeling now—we challenge the difficulties together with the young people.

Another challenge is shift work. In my previous career, I worked office hours, had a routine, and could plan ahead. When you work shifts, it is harder to plan your life with friends and family.

What qualifications are needed to become a Support Worker?

I finished my Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification in September last year. I am now taking the Level 5 in Leadership and Management to progress toward being a Deputy or Manager.

I think Level 3 is a good exercise to consolidate the things learned through work, but I wouldn't say you strictly need the qualification before starting. Every young person is unique; knowing them is about relationship building, not just regulations. However, the studies do complement my knowledge and help me provide a better service.

Is getting the qualification mandatory?

By the regulations, you can work as a Residential Support Worker for two years, but within that timeframe, you need to obtain your Level 3 qualification.

Can you tell us about pay and how it increases as you progress?

I have worked in two homes so far. In my current role, the pay is slightly higher than the baseline. My base yearly salary as a Support Worker is about £26,500 for a 40-hour week, plus 28 days of annual leave.

That figure does not include "sleep-ins," which attract extra pay. You can also work overtime if you wish; some of my colleagues work 50 or 55 hours a week to increase their earnings.

What salary would you expect if you progressed to Team Leader or Manager?

In the current market, a Senior Support Worker might get slightly more, perhaps £27,000 to £28,000. As a Deputy Manager, you might look at £33,000 or more depending on experience.

For a Registered Manager, since there is a national shortage, the salary could be as high as £50,000 or more. However, this depends heavily on your experience and the type of young people the home supports. At the managerial level, you really need to know how to provide appropriate support for specific needs.

Where would you like your career to go?

Since I came here with a mission, I see myself progressing to become a Children's Home Manager in the near future. Long-term, I want to influence the industry and help even more young people, so I might look for a position as a Responsible Individual (RI).

What advice would you give to someone starting out as a Support Worker?

You need to keep asking yourself why you want to be in this industry. If it is just about money, there are other jobs—like architecture or teaching!—that pay more.

The meaning behind the job is what matters. It makes you think about what you should achieve during every shift. You shouldn't just turn up, sit with the young people, and wait for the shift to end—that is a waste of time. If you seize the meaning of the work, you will find a way to make it good for the young people and good for yourself.

What does your family think of your career decision?

It was a big struggle for me to make the decision. When I first changed from architecture to teaching, their reaction was strong because they knew I loved architecture and had spent a long time studying it. They felt it was a sacrifice.

However, after I taught for a year, they realized I had a better lifestyle. As an architect in Hong Kong, I worked incredibly long hours. In teaching, and now in social care, I can still use the skills I learned. I haven't wasted my knowledge; I use it to inspire young people.

I see this as a life turning point. I asked myself: What exactly do I want to do for the rest of my life? Being an architect is great—I designed public buildings like rehabilitation centers that help the public. But now, I see myself devoting my life directly to society and the next generation. My family supports me because they know I am still building—just in a different way.