Social care workders may provide clinical services, such as therapy or counselling, and connect people to resources in the community to help them overcome challenges, such as physical and mental health issues, addiction, and family problems.
Social care provides a whole range of services to support children, adults and older people.
If you work in social care, you could help people in their own homes, in residential homes or in a number of other places such as day centres or supported housing.
The social care sector employs 1.48 million people and will have half a million extra jobs available by 2030.
Social care is a career which suits many people at different stages of their lives and it offers a challenging, rewarding and flexible career. Care workers provide support and can help people to lead an active and integrated life in society. There are a range of services across the sector working with children, adults and older people.
Many provide home care or work in residential care homes for children and adults or with people with alcohol or drug problems. Others choose to work with children, families and young people or people with disabilities.
You don’t always have to have a social care qualification to start your career because you will be required to do work-based qualifications once you start working. These qualifications go up to management level. There are also a range of degrees and NVQ level qualifications. Many people enter social care with minimum qualifications and go on to do part time degree and other courses.
Social care workers will: