The cost of training in social support can vary depending on the school, but for the starting year 2019 the course costs range from CHF 17,000 to CHF 24,000. In addition, there are costs for mandatory stays and travel, specialist literature and the external Federal Professional Examination. However, since January 2018, it has been possible to apply for a 50% refund of the course costs from the federal government, up to a maximum of CHF 9,500. You can find more information on the website of theSERI.

More and more people who are no longer able to manage their lives independently or who need professional support in very challenging phases of their lives are making use of outreach support. And this is exactly what social support is for, as it is designed to provide long-term support in everyday life. Social companions support those affected at home, in their leisure activities and also at work, and endeavor to maintain the individual's independence and promote personal responsibility. In doing so, they provide their clients with professional, emotional and practical support and work together with their environment as well as with other professionals.

In addition to motivation, personal and social skills, a good command of German (at least B2) and good PC skills, some schools expect participants to be at least 25 years old and to have completed an apprenticeship or have at least 25% professional experience in social care within the last year up to the date of registration. In order to be admitted to the Federal Professional Examination (FPE) for social care assistants, candidates must either have a Federal VET Diploma as a care specialist, health specialist or an equivalent qualification in the social or health sector and have worked at least 50% of the time in social care and support within the last two years. If the workload is lower, the required minimum number of years is extended. This also applies to people who have an upper-secondary level qualification and must have at least three years of professional experience under the above conditions.

Persons who have successfully passed the Federal Professional Examination in the field of social support are entitled to use the protected title "Social Support Worker with Federal Professional Certificate".

In 2015, a salary recommendation from theSwiss Professional Association for Social Supportwhich serves as a guideline and can be increased with additional skills and tasks. The recommended monthly salary for a 100% workload is CHF 5,400 to CHF 6,200.

In addition to self-management and dealing with one's own personality, stress management, human rights and professional ethics, communication and discussion skills including conflict management, the areas of competence of approaches and methods in social support as well as specialist knowledge play a key role. Topics such as support management, social space orientation, teamwork, empowerment, group, family and network work, project management, legal principles, child protection and domestic violence, addiction, intercultural skills, psychopathology, outreach work with the elderly and physical and cognitive impairment are covered in detail.