Careers in Health, social care and childcare

Health, social care and childcare

Jobs involve providing care and support services for children, healthcare patients and the elderly.

Counsellor

In your career as a counsellor, you'll use your skills in communication, active listening and empathy to help people learn about themselves and address issues in their lives. Read on to find out more about working as a counsellor, what you might do day-to-day and how you can qualify.

£29,120 average salary

Environmental health professional

As an environmental health professional, sometimes described as an officer or adviser, you'll use your scientific and legal knowledge to make sure the environment is safe to live and work in. Learn more about the industry, the available opportunities and what you'll need to study to succeed.

£35,360 average salary

Healthcare practice manager

As a healthcare practice manager, sometimes called a health service manager, you'll manage and shape the delivery of health services to customers or the wider community. Read on to find out more about what working in this area is like, where you might work and how you can study or work towards getting a role.

£53,560 average salary

Health services manager or director

As a health service manager or director, sometimes called a hospital manager or chief executive, you'll run a healthcare facility, influencing its strategic and day-to-day activities. Read on to find out more about what it's like to work in this role, where you could find work and how you might study or work towards getting a role in the area.

£54,080 average salary

Health and safety officer

As a health and safety officer, you'll use your organisational skills and eye for detail to maintain safety in the workplace and improve the health of your colleagues. Read on to find out more about what your job could involve and how you can work towards getting a job in this field.

£37,960 average salary

Healthcare assistant

Healthcare assistants are professionals who work under the guidance of nurses, doctors and midwives to help deliver the best possible care for people around the UK. Learn more about a career as a health assistant, find out what it involves and what you'll need to study and do to get a role.

£18,200 average salary

Housing officer

As a housing officer, you'll look after rented properties for housing associations, local authorities, charities or private sector firms, supporting tenants with their housing needs. Learn more about a career in housing, find out what it involves and what you'll need to study and do to get a role.

£26,000 average salary

Inspector of standards and regulations

As an inspector of standards and regulations, sometimes called a health and safety inspector, you'll visit and assess workplaces, policies and processes to make sure they're safe and comply with the law. Read on to learn more about this career and what you'll need to study and do to get a role.

£36,920 average salary

Nursery nurse or assistant

As a nursery nurse or assistant, sometimes called a nursery teacher, you'll care for children from between 0 to 5 years old, inspiring them and nurturing their emotional and social development. Here you find out more about getting into this field and what your job might be like.

£15,080 average salary

Occupational therapist

Occupational therapists are professionals who help patients overcome physical and mental barriers in everyday life, making living less complex and overwhelming. Read our guide to see if you're suited to a career as an occupational therapist and what you should study and do to become one.

£32,240 average salary

Paramedic

As a paramedic, you'll respond to medical emergencies and work with other healthcare professionals to deliver successful medical outcomes. Here you can find out more about what being a paramedic is like, how you can start your career, and what your day-to-day work might involve.

£38,480 average salary

Playworker

As a playworker, you'll use your support skills to inspire children and young people, creating spaces and opportunities for beneficial play. Find out how to get a job as a playworker, how your career might progress, and what you might be working on day to day.

£10,400 average salary

Public health manager or director

As a public health manager or director, sometimes called a health improvement practitioner or public health adviser, you'll use your research and communication skills to help people adopt healthier lifestyles or improve health policies. Read on to find out what working in this role is like.

£54,080 average salary

Residential, day and domiciliary care manager or proprietor

As a residential, day and domiciliary care manager or proprietor, sometimes called a care manager, you'll hold a leadership position in a residential care environment and oversee its everyday working. Here you can find out more about a career in care management, learn about what's involved and how you can study and work towards a role.

£42,640 average salary

Senior ambulance officer

You'll need skills to manage operational teams and activities. Learn more about a career in a senior position in the ambulance service, find out what it involves and what you'll need to study and do to get a role.

£44,200 average salary

Senior care worker

As a senior care worker, you'll supervise teams of care assistants to provide physical and emotional support to clients in their homes or residential centres. Learn more about a career in care work, find out what it involves and what you'll need to study and do to get a role.

£18,720 average salary

Senior customs officer

As a senior customs officer, you'll use your excellent organisational skills and legislative knowledge to manage operational teams and coordinate a range of services. Learn more about a career in the customs service, find out what it involves and what you'll need to study and do to get a role.

£44,200 average salary

Senior fire officer

As a senior fire officer, you'll use your excellent communication and organisational skills to manage operational teams and coordinate an area or station. Learn more about a career in a senior fire officer role, find out what it involves and what you'll need to study and do to get a job.

£44,200 average salary

Senior prison officer

As a senior prison officer, you'll use your excellent organisational skills to manage a team and plan and deliver operational activities. Learn more about a career in a senior position in the prison service, find out what it involves and what you'll need to study and do to get a role.

£44,200 average salary

Social services manager or director

As a social services manager or director, you'll use your organisational skills to plan and coordinate services provided by local authorities and charities. Learn more about a career in social services, find out what it involves and what you'll need to study and do to get a role.

£42,640 average salary

Social worker

Social workers provide advice and support to vulnerable people. They help protect them and improve their lives. If you're interested in a role as a social worker, use our career guide to find out what the job includes.

£35,880 average salary

Speech and language therapist

As a speech and language therapist (SLT), you'll help clients and their families who struggle with speech and language issues, injuries or disorders. Read on to find out what you will need to do to become a speech and language therapist and what your career might be like.

£31,720 average salary

Youth or community worker

As a youth or community worker, you'll use your skills to support community projects and help young people to access services and reach their full potential. Learn more about a career in youth and community work, find out what it involves and what you'll need to study and do to get a role.

£23,400 average salary