Are you interested in starting a career in health and social care? The opportunities are endless. Although careers in this sector can be extremely challenging they are also highly rewarding. If you’re caring and want to make a difference in the lives of others, it could be the right sector for you.

About health and social care

Health and social care professionals are key workers and given the world of today, they have been working in exceptional times as they are fundamentally fighting for people’s lives and helping to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

Providing care and support is at the heart of the health and social care sector.

Health care workers are at the forefront of providing quality health care and crucial services like promoting health, delivering health care plans and treatments, as well as preventing diseases. Social care workers provide support and care to vulnerable people. They work with a range of people from children, elderly people and families in crisis.

What can I do?

There is a broad range of jobs available in health and social care. Working in the sector can involve being employed by the NHS or a private organisation.

You will be helping people from all walks of life: the elderly, adults, children and babies. You could be providing support to people with mental health problems, physical and learning disabilities as well as people suffering from other medical conditions.

Below is a list of just a few of the opportunities in health and social care*:

Nurse

A career as a nurse involves providing treatment and support to patients who are injured or sick. They also give emotional support to patients and their families while organising care plans, analysing and recording patient conditions and assisting the doctor.

On average, nurses get paid a salary of £36,400 and work 39 hours per week. The workforce is projected to grow by 10.4% with a further 54.5% expected to retire by 2027. This will see a total of 485,000 job openings.

Care workers and home carers

Carers look after people of all ages, from young to old, those who are suffering from illnesses, have a disability or unable to cope by themselves. A carer will help them with everyday tasks like shopping, cleaning, washing, dressing, cooking and laundry.

The average annual salary for a care worker is £21,320 and they typically work 42 hours per week. The workforce is estimated to grow by 13.4% and 57.9% of the workforce is expected to retire by 2027. This will create approximately 660,300 job openings.

Medical practitioner

Medical practitioners are also known as consultants, GPs and doctors. They diagnose, treat and care for patients suffering from illnesses, infections and diseases, as well as looking after patient wellbeing.

Medical practitioners on average earn £76,440 per year and work a 42 hour week. This career is expected to grow by 10.4% with 54.5% of the workforce estimated to retire by 2027. This is projected to create 193,400 job openings.

Midwife

A midwife is responsible for delivering babies and providing antenatal and postnatal advice as well as support for women, their babies and family.

Midwives get paid an average annual salary of £37,440 and typically work a 38 hour week. The workforce is estimated to grow by 10.4% with a further 54.5% expected to retire by 2027. This will create around 35,900 jobs.

*Statistics provided by LMI for All.

Health and social care skills

To work in the health and social care sector, you will need a range of skills, but most importantly you will need to be caring and passionate about helping people. Other skills can include:

• Sociable
• Understanding
• Resilient
• Able to deal with emotionally charged situations
• Hardworking
• Work as part of a team as well as independently
• Time management
• Good communication

If you don’t possess these skills already, many will be developed as you qualify and while working on the job.

Pathways and qualifications

Each health and social care career will have different pathways to qualify. It all depends on your personal preference and the career you’re keen to pursue. Let’s take a look at a few of the routes available to you:

Vocational qualifications

There is a diverse range of health and social care qualifications you can do without having to go to university.

Relevant NVQs include:

• Health and Social Care
• Adult Social Care
• Healthcare Science
• Maternity support work

This is not an exhaustive list but it gives you an indication of the routes available.

Some NVQs and BTECs can also pave the way for a degree. Many can be done part-time, which means you can work and study. Have a look at the following organisations:

IHM (Institute of Healthcare Management) RCN (Royal College of Nursing) SCIE (Social Care Institute for Excellence)

Health and social care apprenticeships

The level of Apprenticeship available varies slightly depending on the part of the sector you enter. Broadly, though, there are four levels:

• Level Two (Intermediate) – equivalent to GCSEs / Standard Grades
• Level Three (Advanced) – equivalent to A Levels / Highers
• Level Four / Five (Higher) – equivalent to Foundation Degree / Advanced Highers
• Level Six / Seven (Degree) – equivalent to Bachelor’s or master’s degree

Health and social care apprenticeships are ideal for young people looking to learn on the job. You will combine on the job training with theory relevant to the health and social care sector. A few health and social care apprenticeships include:

• Adult Care Worker
• Ambulance Support Worker
• Healthcare Practitioner
• Nurse
• Midwife
• Lab Technician