Would you like to work in a role where you have the capacity to change lives for the better? In the Health and Social Care sector, you can work in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. With over 80 different possible job roles within the sector*, there’s a lot of choice for exactly how you can impact lives, too. With lots of progression opportunities and high demand for new people, Health and Social care can help you achieve your employment goals.
Core Areas:
Nursing
There are a wide range of opportunities within the nursing profession, whether you would like to
care for children and young people, adults or specialise in a particular area, such as emergency
response or minor injuries. Opportunities include:
• Senior Staff Nurse
• Ward Sister/Charge Nurse
• Advanced Nurse Practitioner
• Lead Nurse
• Matron
Counsellor
Counsellors provide a safe and confidential environment for clients to talk. You will actively
listen to clients, helping them to explore their behaviour patterns and make their own choices.
Sessions with clients can cover a range of issues, including:
• Divorce or relationship difficulties
• Illness
• Bereavement
• Unemployment or job uncertainty
• General anxiety
Promotion is likely to be into team leader or management roles. These usually involve less
time spent with individual clients and more on supervising a staff team and working on overall
strategy.
Social Worker
Social workers support individuals and their families through difficult times and ensure that
vulnerable people are safeguarded from harm, improving their lives. This often means using
professional judgment and procedures set by government to make tough decisions.
Specialist roles include:
• Homelessness Officer
• Day-care Social Worker
• Education Welfare Officer
• Healthcare and Mental Health Social Worker
Social work is a profession where promotion is likely to take you away from hands-on work.
Three to five years after qualifying, it's possible to become a senior practitioner or team
manager.
Other career paths in this sector include:
• Midwifery
• Healthcare Assistant (Hospice)
• Home Carer
• Physiotherapist
What skills do I need?
In order to gain your first role in the Health and Social Care sector, employers often look for the
following qualifications:
• Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in the Care Sector
• Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Preparing to Work in the Care Sector.
Often you will need core qualifications in English and Maths to start these courses.
What are the initial roles I could do?
There are lots of entry-level care roles you could apply for, such as Care Worker, or Personal
Assistant.
There are also support roles such as Office and Administration, Cook or Kitchen Assistant, Driver or
Transport Manager or Housekeeping.
For more information about gaining these qualifications and get your career started in the sector, visit the National Careers Service website at: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk or call 0800 100 900