frequently asked questions.

  • how to become a social worker?

    To become a social worker in the UK, you typically need a degree in social work approved by Social Work England. After your degree, you must register with the professional regulator to begin practising social work. Once you've gained sufficient experience through placements, taking on volunteering or entry-level roles in social care can improve your chances of securing permanent employment.

  • what is a social worker?

    A social worker is a trained professional who helps people navigate difficult life situations and overcome challenges related to health, well-being and inequality. They work with a wide range of individuals, from children and families to older adults and vulnerable groups, offering support, guidance and access to vital services. Social workers often collaborate with schools, hospitals, local councils and charities to make sure people get the help they need. At its core, social work is about protecting those at risk, breaking down barriers and creating positive change in society.

  • what does a social worker do?

    Social workers help people through some of the most challenging times in their lives, whether it’s navigating poverty or accessing essential services. These are some typical social worker roles and responsibilities:

    • identifying people who may be struggling and need extra support

    • assessing each person’s needs and finding ways to help improve their quality of life

    • connecting people with relevant services, benefits and community programs

    • staying in regular contact to provide guidance and emotional support

    • responding to urgent situations and making sure people’s rights are protected

  • what qualifications do I need to be a social worker in the UK?

    To become a social worker in the UK, you will need an undergraduate degree in social work. Whichever course you choose, it must be approved by Social Work England. If you already hold a degree in another subject, you can complete a two-year postgraduate degree in social work instead. Another route is a social work degree apprenticeship, which lets you earn a wage while gaining practical experience and working toward your qualification.

  • how much does a social worker earn?

    The average social worker salary in the UK is around £24,000 per year, although this can go as high as £40,000 with experience. This salary can change depending on the scope of the role and the complexity of the duties performed. Your earnings as a social worker can also vary based on the institution you work for, with large employers often offering higher pay. In addition, your qualifications, specialisations and years of service can also boost your salary over time.

  • what are the 12 roles of a social worker?

    Social workers take on many responsibilities to support people through complex life situations. Here are 12 key roles they often perform:

    1. supporting young people facing challenges within their family or community
    2. assisting vulnerable individuals in accessing support and improving their lives
    3. helping people overcome alcohol or substance misuse
    4. managing care for individuals with complex needs
    5. resolving conflict and supporting emotional regulation in challenging behaviour
    6. working with families while prioritising the welfare of children
    7. coordinating foster care and adoption for children in unsafe environments
    8. helping individuals manage mental health conditions
    9. supporting older adults to live independently
    10. assisting people living with physical disabilities
    11. helping individuals and families access social housing
    12. providing care services within supported housing facilities

  • how to become a child social worker in the UK?

    To work with children as a social worker in the UK, you will need either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in social work that’s approved by Social Work England. Once you’ve qualified, you must register to practise legally. Beyond the qualifications, this role calls for excellent communication skills, empathy, emotional resilience and a real commitment to supporting children and families through difficult times.

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    real life stories from real life care workers.
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    social worker.

    Laura tells us about the skills you need to build a career as a social worker, across both children and adult specialisms.

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    mental health officer.

    John tells us about why he chose to work in mental health, and why protecting our mental health is so important.

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    residential carer.

    Gavin tells us about how to get a job in residential caring, from university onwards.

a guide to social care jobs:

The social care sector is one of the most vital and rewarding career paths in the UK, dedicated to supporting vulnerable adults and children to live independent, safe, and fulfilling lives. It’s a diverse field encompassing everything from hands-on support in residential homes to high-level statutory safeguarding roles within local authorities.

At Randstad, we connect passionate individuals with the full spectrum of social care jobs, including permanent, temporary, and contract roles across the country. Whether you’re looking for entry-level social care jobs or seeking a social care manager job, you’ll find a huge range of vacancies with top employers here.

Popular Social Care Roles & Job Titles

The term 'social care' covers a wide variety of specialist roles, each with unique responsibilities and required qualifications. The core focus, however, remains providing person-centred care and support.

  • Support Worker Jobs: These are often the frontline of social care. Responsibilities include providing emotional support, practical help with daily living (such as cooking, shopping, and managing appointments), and assisting service users in engaging with their community. Specialist support roles exist for learning disabilities, mental health, and complex needs.
  • Care Assistant Jobs: Typically based in residential settings, nursing homes, or domiciliary care. Duties centre around personal care, mobility assistance, medication administration, and monitoring the general health and well-being of residents or clients.
  • Social Worker Jobs: These are regulated professional roles requiring a specific degree/qualification. Social Workers are responsible for assessing needs, creating care plans, and intervening where vulnerable people, whether children or adults, require statutory safeguarding and advocacy.
  • Social Care Manager Jobs: Roles such as Registered Manager, Deputy Manager, or Team Leader involve overseeing the day-to-day operations of a care setting, ensuring compliance with CQC standards, managing budgets, and leading a team of support staff.

The Social Care Job Market

The UK social care jobs market is currently characterised by high, sustained demand across all specialisations and regions. Sector intelligence shows continued growth driven by an ageing population and increasing complexity of care needs.

Career Progression and Development:

A key strength of a social care career is the clear pathway for progression. Many individuals start as a Care Assistant or Support Worker, gaining an NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care. From there, career progression can move:

  1. Vertically: Moving into supervisory roles (Team Leader) or management (Deputy/Registered Manager).
  2. Horizontally/Specialisation: Moving into specialist areas like Children's Social Work, Mental Health Support, or becoming a specialised trainer.
  3. Professionally: Using vocational experience to apply for professional qualifications, such as pursuing a social work degree apprenticeship.

Salary Expectations:

Salaries in social care vary significantly based on location, experience, and specific role. While entry-level Care Worker pay often aligns closely with the National Living Wage, specialised and regulated roles offer competitive earnings:

  • Care Worker (Independent Sector Median): approx £11.00 - £11.44 per hour (varies by region and employer).
  • Newly Qualified Social Worker (Local Authority): Typically starting at approx £33,000 per annum, rising to approx £45,000 for senior practitioners and managers (higher in London).

Required Skills and Qualifications for Social Care Careers

Successfully securing social care vacancies depends on demonstrating the right mix of practical experience, essential soft skills, and required qualifications.

Essential Skills for Social Care Roles

While technical skills can be trained, core personal qualities are non-negotiable for success in this sector:

  • Empathy and Compassion: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is fundamental to providing person-centred care.
  • Resilience and Patience: Working with vulnerable individuals can be demanding; the capacity to remain calm under pressure and maintain a positive attitude is crucial.
  • Communication Skills: Clear verbal and written communication for building trust with service users, liaising with family members, and accurate record-keeping.
  • Observation and Initiative: The ability to notice subtle changes in an individual's health or mood and proactively take appropriate action.

Key Qualifications and Requirements

  • Enhanced DBS Check: Mandatory for all roles working with vulnerable adults or children.
  • Vocational Qualifications: For support and care roles, a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care is often required or expected to be achieved during employment.
  • Registered Professional Status: Roles such as Social Worker and Occupational Therapist require a relevant degree and registration with the appropriate professional body (e.g., Social Work England, HCPC).

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    John tells us about how to gain a better understanding of the person you are supporting, to help them improve their mental health.

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    problem solving.

    Gavin tells us about how to use resilience and problem solving skills to see the people he supports learn and grow.

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    why john enjoys his work.

    Mental impacts everyone, and understanding this can change someone's life for the better. John talks about his years of experience in the sector.

our industry specialisms.

social care jobs overview.

we have thousands of social care jobs to offer you. Below are key care career insights for our top jobs.

  • social worker

    In short, social workers promote social change, development and empower communities. 

    Aside from the communal needs of people, a social worker enhances the overall wellbeing of individuals and helps them meet basic and complex needs. Like in most social care jobs, social care workers will work with diverse people, where the focus is on the vulnerable, oppressed and poverty-stricken. Sometimes social workers also advocate for civil rights, raise awareness on mental health and child abuse. 

    The role of a social worker often includes working with orphans, patients with long-term ailments, seniors, mentally ill people and persons with disabilities. Social workers also address social injustices that hinder a person's wellbeing like discrimination, physical or emotional abuse and substance abuse.

    If you are passionate about driving change and helping underprivileged individuals, a job as a social worker is for you.

    To find out more about the role of a social worker click here.

  • qualified social worker

    In addition to the responsibilities listed above under ‘social worker’, the role of a qualified social worker involves participating in legislative processes that aid in policy formation. 

    When protecting human rights, a qualified social worker may have to use legal powers and proceedings to balance the rights of the parties involved. A qualified social worker has a number of qualifications that allows them to to perform their duties with minimal supervision. 

    If you are interested in improving people's lives by helping with social and interpersonal difficulties, promoting human rights and their wellbeing, see ‘how to become a social worker’ for more details.

  • support worker

    Social care support workers, (often referred to in the United States as ‘caregivers,’) play a pivotal part in helping society’s most vulnerable people. Depending on the specific care job chosen by a support worker, the role typically includes providing emotional, psychological or physical support.

    For example, a support worker may be tasked with cleaning a client’s house, doing laundry, and shopping for groceries. 

    Offering excellent job security and straightforward entry into the career, support workers don’t need any qualifications to start a career as a social care support worker beyond possibly needing a Personal Support Worker certification.

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