Social care careers

If you want to help people and have the right values and behaviours there is a social care job for you.

There are many different types of social care careers to choose from. It doesn't matter about your background, how old you are, or what hours you can work. For example, you could:

  • specialise in a particular area, such as occupational therapy or nursing
  • work with people to find solutions to their problems as a social worker
  • provide direct care as a care worker or personal assistant
  • provide administration, catering or maintenance services needed to run a care home.

 

Working with adults in Surrey

Are you ready to embark on a rewarding journey within Surrey's Adult Social Care services?

Get ready to embrace a career that fills your days with a genuine sense of purpose! It's all about being there for those in need, lending a helping hand to vulnerable individuals as they navigate through difficult circumstances. By making a difference in their lives, you'll empower them to achieve independence and truly thrive within their community.

Working with adults - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

Working with children in Surrey

Surrey's Children, Families and Lifelong Learning services have careers with a purpose, in many different roles, working closely with partners, that support real people and real lives. 

Working with children - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

Discover the range of job roles available in adult social care and supported living

Want to learn about the huge range of job roles and career opportunities in adult social care? Watch to find out about the various routes into working in adult social care. Discover the qualities required in different jobs and the options for career progression. Plus, hear why working in this vital sector is so rewarding.

There are opportunities at every level. Work on the front line as a carer, or look into office, catering or management roles. With lots of choice, flexibility and good career prospects, working in care is a fantastic option.

Direct social care roles

Direct social care roles involve providing support and assistance to individuals who need help with daily activities due to age, disability, illness, or other circumstances.

These roles are essential in promoting the well-being and independence of those in need. Workers in direct social care may assist with personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, and feeding, as well as offering emotional support and companionship. They also help with household chores, medication management, and transportation to appointments. The goal is to enhance the quality of life for individuals by ensuring they receive the necessary care and support in a compassionate and respectful manner. You could have a career as a:

  • Activities worker
  • Care worker
  • Personal assistant
  • Rehabilitation worker
  • Shared lives carer
  • Advocacy worker

Thinking about a career in the community? You could be a Senior Carer in home care.

Do you like meeting new people? Would you enjoy helping people live in the comfort of their own home? And are you looking for a role that will fit around parenting or caring responsibilities?

Karina has worked in care for ten years. In this video, you’ll hear her talk about her job and the things she's learned about herself while doing it. As well as enjoying her work, she's also had the opportunity to gain qualifications.

Want to learn about the role of a Support Worker in adult social care? Hear what Antoni has to say.

Meet Antoni who works in a Surrey supported living service called Active Prospects. It is also known as supported accommodation.

He supports people with learning disabilities, physical and mental health needs, and autistic people.

Ancillary roles

Ancillary careers in social care are essential for the smooth operation and maintenance of services supporting vulnerable individuals. These roles include recruitment officers, maintenance workers, catering assistants, chefs, and housekeepers.

Each position plays a vital part in ensuring a safe, clean, and supportive environment. Whether you enjoy managing staff, preparing nutritious meals, or maintaining facilities, ancillary roles offer diverse opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the social care sector.

These roles don’t involve direct care but are vital to the running of an organisation. You can have a career as a:

  • Cook
  • Kitchen assistant
  • Housekeeper
  • Domestic worker
  • Driver
  • Transport manager
  • Maintenance worker

The role of the housekeeper in a residential care home: “The rewards you get are outstanding” 

Do you like everything to be clean and tidy? In care homes for older people it's important that everything is clean and comfortable. Care homes need good housekeepers and domestic assistants to make that happen. So if you have high standards for cleanliness, why not think about a career in adult social care? 

Meet Gina. She is talking about her role as Head Housekeeper for a care home. She tells us what she does day to day and why she loves her job. She shares her experiences working with the residents she supports and their families. 

From kitchen assistant to Head Chef: developing a catering career in adult social care

Do you have an interest in food? Do you already have kitchen or cooking experience? Do you like working as part of a team, and understand the role of diet and nutrition? You could pursue a career in catering in adult social care in Surrey. 

Hear Cosmin talk about going from kitchen assistant to Head Chef of a nursing home. Discover what it's like to work in the kitchen of an older people’s care home. Learn about catering for people with dementia and special diets. And find out about the types of roles available and the training on offer.

Regulated professional social care roles

Regulated professional social care roles involve providing specialised support and services to individuals in need, ensuring their safety, well-being, and dignity. These roles require specific qualifications and adherence to professional standards and regulations.

They assess individuals' needs, develop care plans, and provide therapeutic interventions. Their work often involves collaborating with other healthcare providers, advocating for clients' rights, and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical guidelines. The goal is to enhance the quality of life for individuals by addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs in a professional and regulated manner.

If you are registered to practice with a regulated body, your career options include:

  • Social worker
  • Occupational therapist
  • Registered nurse
  • Nursing associate 
  • Complementary therapist
  • Counsellor

Social care management roles

In social care, managers play a vital role in ensuring high-quality care and support, leading teams, and managing resources effectively while adhering to regulations and ethical standards. 

Use your leadership skills to ensure high-quality care and support in a regulated environment. Become a manager in social care. You could have a career as a:

  • Team leader or supervisor
  • Manager
  • Deputy manager or team manager
  • Specialist coordinator, such as dementia or end of life care coordinator

Interested in leadership opportunities in the care sector? Hear from leader Ruth Kelly about the routes into working in adult social care.

Interested in leadership opportunities in the care sector? Hear from leader Ruth Kelly about the routes into working in adult social care.

Find out why it's such important work and how you can progress in your career. In this video Ruth recounts her journey working in a supported living service. From being a support worker, to becoming the most senior member of the leadership team.

Thinking about a career in the community? You could be a Registered Manager in home care.

Would you like to work in the community? Are you looking for a role that offers a clear pathway to management and leadership? 

In this film, you’ll hear Adriana talk about her first role. Adriana was new to social care when she started in the sector. She was promoted to Registered Manager after completing a Level 5 in Health and Social Care.

Around 37,000 people work in social care in Surrey. One of them is Jack, an assistant manager.

Want to know more about careers in management in adult social care? 

Meet Jack, assistant manager at a supported living service in Surrey. Here Jack tells us what he enjoys most about his job and shares his career journey. Learn about the qualities needed to work in adult social care management. Find out why it's so rewarding and how easy it is to progress in this career. 

Social care support roles

There are various roles in social care that cater to different interests. Whatever your interests, there is a role in social care for you.

Housing Support Officers provide support and advice to help people maintain their tenancy and live independently. Volunteer coordinators manage and coordinate volunteers within an organisation or location. Social Care Prescribers can connect individuals with non-medical community support to improve wellbeing and address social isolation. Welfare Rights Officers provide advice on legislative matters including housing benefits, disability allowances, employment benefits, and rent support.  You can have a career in:

  • Housing support
  • Volunteer coordination
  • Social care prescribing
  • Welfare rights
  • Employment advice
  • Administration
  • Finance
  • HR
  • Marketing
  • Training and assessing

Passionate about people? You could work in HR or admin within a social care setting

There are many different roles in adult social care. You can work in administrative and business support, from reception to recruitment. 

Ramona tells us about her role as Recruitment Officer for a care home and what she most enjoys about her job. Hear her talk about what her job is like and the development opportunities she's been given. Ramona also shares what she most values about working in adult social care.