Social Care
Social Care is an essential sector that helps people of all ages who need help due to illness, disability, age, or other life challenges. It contains a huge range of offerings designed to improve well-being, promote independence, and ensure safety.
These services encompass personal care, emotional assistance, help with everyday tasks, and get entry to specialised sources. Social Care extends beyond physical help, addressing the social, emotional, and psychological needs of people to improve their quality of life.
At its core, Social Care is about constructing relationships and fostering community inclusion
Whether you’re driven by a desire to provide compassionate support, lead service improvements, or engage with communities, careers in social care are diverse and deeply rewarding. This sector offers opportunities for people with a wide range of skills—from delivering hands-on care and emotional support to shaping policy and managing services that make a real difference in people’s lives.
Social Care roles are ideal for those who
Are naturally compassionate and effective listeners
Like to solve problems and enjoy finding practical solutions to everyday challenges
Are team players who work well in multidisciplinary teams
Are you curious about where your skills might fit into this essential sector? Explore specific functions and roles and find out how you can contribute to the world of Social Care.
Residential Care
A residential care home provides accommodation and 24-hour personal care and support to people aged 65 and over and those who find it difficult to manage daily life at home.
Residential homes provide residents with a safe place where they are looked after according to their needs. They can get help with washing, dressing, toileting, administering medication and mobility.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are used by people who do not need to be in a hospital, but require care that is hard to provide in a home setting.
The nursing home staff attends to the patients’ medical and other needs.
Most nursing homes have support workers and skilled nurses on hand 24 hours a day.
Day Care
A Day Centre is a service which is provided by Local Authorities, the NHS, or voluntary/private organisations.
They are a place where elderly people or people who have learning/physical difficulties can go during the day to socialise with others in a similar situation and take part in activities.
Supported Living
Supported living services can help if you do not want to live in residential care but you’re finding it difficult to cope at home. They’re a combination of suitable accommodation – which can be your own home – with some forms of personal care (like help with washing or cooking).
Some supported living homes are shared by 2 or 3 people with a similar health problem, such as a substance misuse problem or a particular disability. Staff usually visit the home to help you get out of bed, go out to college or work, and do simple tasks such as shopping, housework and repairs.
They can also help with administrative tasks and personal care.
One to One Support
One to one care can provide the extra support and attention your loved one needs to continue living confidently and independently in their own home.
A personalised form of care, one to one care involves having a dedicated carer that attends to the particular needs of one individual at a time.
Check out the different roles below:
Support Roles
Support and care roles
Support and care roles provide essential day-to-day assistance, helping individuals maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life. These roles are critical in settings such as supported living environments, care homes, and day centres by providing personal care and emotional support, assisting patients with rehabilitation exercises and engaging individuals in social activities.
Key roles: Care assistants; rehabilitation support workers; day centre workers; skills & attributes.
These roles are perfect for those who enjoy hands-on work and making a direct impact on people’s lives.
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week
Nurses
Nurses in social care have distinct expertise. They use their clinical skills to understand the variety of needs of patients, and also deliver relationship-centred support. They recognise the importance of giving everyone a sense of security, purpose, achievement and significance.
The role attracts people who find personal fulfilment in enabling people to live well as an important member of society. The rewards are incredible and bring a personal understanding of people and how our connections with one another are the foundation of validity.
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapy provides practical support to help you do the day-to-day activities that matter to you and to allow you to remain independent.
An occupational therapist will consider your current abilities and your future needs by assessing you through a range of conversations and observations. They will support you and your family / carer to think about how your environment (home or workplace) and your current abilities affect how you are able to carry out your daily routines and activities.
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week
Social Worker
Social workers aim to improve people’s lives by helping with social and interpersonal difficulties, promoting human rights and wellbeing.
Social workers protect children and adults with support needs from harm.
From helping keep a family under pressure together to supporting someone with mental health problems, social work is a varied, demanding, often emotional and very rewarding career.
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week
Care Home Manager
As a care home manager you are responsible for running a care home, following the standards and regulations of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). You will promote a caring environment which provides residents with a high standard of specialised personal care, meeting individuals needs and ensuring everyone is treated with respect and dignity, and rights to privacy, independence and choice are met.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing effective leadership across care, administration, hospitality and facilities
Fostering a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for residents and staff
Driving quality improvement and ensuring regulatory and safeguarding compliance
Promoting the service within the community and with families, professionals and external agencies
Leading recruitment, training, performance development and succession planning
Managing budgets, resources and financial performance
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week