Kent labour market information
Social care
Social care focuses on providing essential services for individuals and their families who need support due to disability, age, long-term health conditions, childcare or personal circumstances.
This can be an incredibly rewarding area of work which makes a real difference to people’s lives in Kent and Medway and contributes to the wellbeing of different communities.
People who do this work help others to navigate complex situations and challenges in their daily lives. From care worker to child protection social worker, all roles require skills such as empathy and good communication. Some people need support around the clock and sometimes a care worker might be the only person they see all day. Your job could be visiting people in their homes, or you could work in an office, a nursery, care home, hospice or sheltered accommodation.
20 jobs and careers in social care
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advocacy worker dementia coordinator humanitarian aid worker
nursery assistant child protection officer social worker
occupational therapist family support worker charity officer
counsellor housing support officer care worker
welfare rights officer activities worker care home manager
personal assistant chaplain rehabilitation worker
community transport driver art therapist
Now and the future
There’s a growing demand for people to work in this sector, driven by an ageing population, rising long-term health conditions and mental health support needs. Shortage areas include care workers, social workers and mental health nurses; childminders and nursery workers are also in high demand, helping parents balance work and family life.
Social care tends to involve more personal, hands-on interactions which require fewer digital skills, however digital technologies, including apps, have vastly improved record-keeping and record-sharing between different organisations. Digital tech is revolutionising healthcare, allowing people to manage their health needs remotely; looking ahead we may see AI-assisted care and even companion robots becoming part of everyday life.
Spotlight on Kent and Medway
In Kent and Medway over 53,000 people work in adult social care (source), however there are also approximately 3,000 vacancies which employers are struggling to fill (source) – a pattern seen across the whole of the UK. The social care workforce desperately needs new starters, and the good news is that pay is improving.
It can be incredibly rewarding to work with residents in a local community. There are many initiatives in Kent and Medway where people in a variety of roles help develop activities and support networks for individuals, creating a sense of wellbeing, belonging and pride. The sector also plays a crucial role locally in helping people recover and gain independence after time spent in hospital.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to find links to some great local employers.
More information
- enjoys working with people
- is compassionate
- has excellent communication skills
- is flexible
- has basic digital skills
- is reliable
- has leadership and management skills
- is patient.
Useful subjects
These subjects and qualifications could help you get into this sector:
English | biology | PE | psychology | drama | sociology | maths | art | music | religious studies | healthcare science | applied science | business studies | legal services | health and social care | education and early years | British Sign Language
What about apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are available at all levels including degree apprenticeships. You could apply for an apprenticeship at 16 and progress your career or keep studying and move into a higher or degree apprenticeship from age 18.
For vacancies in Kent and Medway and further information:
- Find an Apprenticeship
- Amazing Apprenticeships
- Kent and Medway Health and Care Academy
- Apprenticeships (Skills for Care)
- Explore the Skills England apprenticeship maps for this sector
Your choices @
14-16
You’ll gain useful skills in English, religious studies, biology and PE; arts subjects and business studies may also be useful for some careers.
Post 16
Five or more GCSEs at grade 4+ including English and maths | Working towards grade 4 GCSE English or maths |
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Post 18
- Degree.
- Other higher education qualification.
- Higher or degree apprenticeship.
- Employment with or without further training.
An approved degree or degree apprenticeship alongside registration is required for a career as a social worker, mental health nurse and therapist roles such as occupational, art, drama or music therapist.
Getting your driving licence could also be useful for some careers in this sector.
Gain skills and knowledge by building up experience. This could include volunteering, work shadowing, a work experience placement or traineeship, or paid employment. Experience in a related area could be helpful when applying for jobs or training.
Want to know more?
