A Nurses.co.uk Guide to Social Care Jobs

It’s been estimated that there are more than 100,000 vacancies in the Social Care sector across the UK on any given day.

Opportunities in the Social Care sector are vast, covering different specialisms, work settings and pay scales with entry level at every level. Experts predict working conditions are set to improve.

The social care sector is one of the UK’s largest, employing more than 1.5 million people.

It’s also one of the most diverse.

From entry level care jobs that require no qualifications, to roles in niche care areas like occupational therapy which are highly skilled, there are numerous ways of getting into Social Care – and developing your career within it.

From entry level care jobs that require no qualifications, to roles in niche care areas like occupational therapy which are highly skilled, there are numerous ways of getting into Social Care – and developing your career within it.

Whatever your role, Social Care is also a rich and rewarding area to work in. Everything you do makes a difference, every day, and although you’ll often work under real pressure, this is rewarding, meaningful work where you provide support to people who really need it.

This guide covers all the key aspects of working in Social Care, from the roles available and how to qualify, to salaries and career development options. It’s ideal for anyone considering a career in care or actively applying for jobs in social care for the first time.

This guide covers all the key aspects of working in Social Care, from the roles available and how to qualify, to salaries and career development options. It’s ideal for anyone considering a career in care or actively applying for jobs in social care for the first time.

What Are The Different Social Care Specialisms I Can Work In?

In terms of working in Social Care, there are a wide variety of areas that you can work in.

These include:

• Residential care for supporting the elderly, young people, vulnerable or anyone with mental health issues

• Community care roles

• Fostering, adoption and child protection

• Counselling and therapy

• Probation

• Housing

• Occupational therapy

There’s also a distinction to be made between Social Care jobs, care jobs and healthcare jobs.

Although these terms are used interchangeably and often all come under the banner of Social Care roles, there are some differences.

Carers, also known as a care assistant or care worker, normally work in residential care and community care settings, while healthcare jobs normally suggests a role within a health related setting, like a hospital.

Meanwhile, Social Care roles sometimes specifically relate to social care workers or support workers, which are distinct community jobs involving visiting regular clients and supporting their wellbeing. In these community roles you’re more likely to visit and help people to lead independent lives.

Finally, the work can vary by demographic, with some roles focusing on Adult Social care, others on children, and others on support for the elderly.

What Settings Am I Likely To Work In With A Social Care Job?

Your place of work will obviously be dictated by the specialism you choose or whether you choose to work with adults or children. But broadly, typical settings include:

• Residential care homes

• Community centres

• People’s homes

• Hospitals

• Schools

• Prisons

• Homeless shelters

• Hostels

• Probation offices

Who Are The Main Employers Within Social Care?

In Social Care, the NHS is actually only one of many major employers of social care workers.

Depending on the career path you choose and the roles you take, you could be employed by:

• A local authority department

• The NHS – through a hospital, community setting or surgery

• A charity or voluntary organisation

• A private care provider – operating care homes

• Schools, colleges or universities

• Prisons

Is The NHS The Biggest Employer Within Social Care?

The NHS isn’t actually the primary provider of Social Care jobs.

The majority of care workers now work in the private sector. Only around 22% of the more than 1.5 million social care employees in the UK work in the NHS.

And in the care home sector specifically, 84% of beds are provided by private firms – a percentage that’s increasing every year.

What Qualifications Do I Need To Work In Social Care?

The wide variety of careers available within Social Care means that some roles are accessible with no formal qualifications, while others require degrees, courses and specialised training.

One of the most common entry roles in Social Care is to work as a carer or care worker, perhaps within a care home. And although some workplaces might requires some GCSEs, there are often no qualifications needed at all.

To become a support worker you typically need to complete a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, which can be completed at a college – often alongside practical work experience.

Meanwhile, if you’d like to become a social worker you’ll need to undertake a degree. This can be studied for within a full 3-year undergraduate course, but many nurses and other healthcare professionals choose to do a postgraduate course in social work in order to change their career.

Apprenticeships are widely available, and bursaries are too.

If you’re interested in becoming a care manager or residential home manager, there are multiple routes into the profession but all require study and training. Many care home managers are former nurses with leadership skills, for example.

This only scratches the surface, but broadly speaking there are roles to suit those without qualifications as well as those with them.

What Skills And Personality Traits Do You Need To Work In Social Care?

To work in Social Care there are definitely certain skills and traits that will stand you in good stead.

You’ll need to be resilient and calm under pressure in what can be a challenging working environment. In many cases this is a frontline job where you’re not just offering support but helping to save lives – so the ability to remain calm is important for bot your mental health as well as the mental health of those you support.

You’ll also need to be naturally compassionate and caring.

You’ll need excellent communication skills, as well as the ability to think on your feet and a non-judgmental attitude. Offering thoughtful advice and providing excellent service within a care role is paramount.

And perhaps most of all, you’ll need a strong work ethic. It can be really rewarding work, but you’ll need to put everything into it.

Are There Lots Of Jobs Available In Social Care?

In a word, yes.

It’s been estimated that there are more than 100,00 vacancies in the Social Care sector across the UK on any given day.

Furthermore, there are more than 17,000 organisations offering jobs in Social Care.

To put it simply, there are lots of jobs, a huge number of places to work, and consistent staff shortages – whether you’re interested in becoming a carer, support worker, care manager or a role outside of direct care.

To put it simply, there are lots of jobs, a huge number of places to work, and consistent staff shortages – whether you’re interested in becoming a carer, support worker, care manager or a role outside of direct care.

That makes Social Care one of the easiest sectors in which to find a job. We typically have a huge number of live roles across the UK on any given day.

What Will I Get Paid In A Social Care Job?

Pay varies widely within the Social Care sector.

Care workers – also known as carers or a care assistant – earn around £16,000 to £18,000 on average, which is around £8.50 to £9.50 an hour.

Social worker average salaries tend to be between £30,000 and £35,000, and salaries are typically higher in the NHS than elsewhere.

Support workers can expect to earn, on average, around £19,000 to £20,000 a year. However, support worker salaries do vary greatly.

And meanwhile care managers are likely to be paid somewhere between £30,000 and £35,000 a year – although it’s common for them to earn well in advance of £50,000.

This gives a sense of the range of salaries – but of course, depending on your chosen career path, how specialised you are and how experienced you are, it can vary even further.

Do People Earn Less Than The Minimum Wage In Social Care?

As is sometimes resorted in the media, care workers or carers occasionally earn less than the UK minimum wage.

That’s because, despite the fact that all care workers have to be paid at least the minimum wage, there are discrepancies that can reduce their pay.

For example, care workers working night shifts don’t have to be paid the minimum wage for any hours they sleep (this is referred to as ‘sleep-in pay’. Also, some carers who do home visits aren’t paid for their travel time in between visits.

These issues are being contested by many organisations and may well be resolved in the future.

What’s The Most I Can Earn In A Social Care Job?

Certain Social Care positions, like care assistants, have a relatively low ceiling when it comes to salaries.

But relatively high maximum salaries are available in many Social Care roles.

Social workers, with enough experience and leadership expertise can become lead practitioners and earn in excess of £45,000 a year. Highly specialised social workers could earn even more – especially if they lead large teams or direct services.

Meanwhile, highly experienced and specialised care managers and care home managers are in high demand, and can command wages in excess of £60,000 or even £70,000 a year.

Broadly speaking, there are lots of care specialisms in which high salaries are possible with enough experience and qualifications.

What Does The Future Hold For The Social Care Sector?

While most of the nation’s focus has been on frontline NHS staff during COVID-19, the efforts of employees within the Social Care sector haven’t gone unnoticed.

Staff shortages were a problem before the pandemic – and now, with more than 100,000 vacancies in the sector, the problem is even bigger.

Brexit hasn’t helped either, with certain challenges being added to attracting and retaining staff from within the EU.

The NHS, trade unions, local authorities and charities are all therefore desperate to bring new people into the Social Care sector.

For anyone thinking about working in Social Care, these factors present a number of challenges and opportunities. There’s no question that some services are overstretched, and that working in the sector can be difficult because of the high number of vacancies and the UK’s ageing population.

But at the same time, opportunities for work and career development in the sector are abundant. After all, vacancies aren’t just at entry level – they’re at every level.

It’s a sector that offers real opportunity to build a career, and roles in every corner of the UK. It’s typically very flexible work too, with the option to fit it around study or other commitments.

And finally, many experts think pay and benefits across the sector will improve in the coming years.

So, despite being challenging, the future is bright for anyone working in the Social Care sector.

Start your social care job search today.