A novice needs caring support (10)
I believe the answer is:
tenderfoot
'a novice' is the definition.
(I know that tenderfoot is a type of novice)
'caring support' is the wordplay.
'caring' becomes 'tender' (synonyms).
'support' becomes 'foot' (foot is a kind of support).
'tender'+'foot'='TENDERFOOT'
'needs' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tenderfoot that I've seen before include "Raw recruit" , "new employee of mine" , "Newcomer, novice" , "Novice (chiefly US)" , "Rookie" .)