You can do a college course in health and social care which may help when you look for work.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could do an apprenticeship in care or youth work to get experience of working with vulnerable adults, children or young people, like:

• Adult Care Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Youth Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

You could then do a social worker degree apprenticeship once you have experience. 

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

You could get experience by volunteering which might help when you apply for a course or job.

You can find volunteering opportunities through Do It.

You could apply directly if you have experience in a care role such as a care worker or healthcare assistant. It would help if you have experience working in a:

• hospital
• hospice
• care home
• children's home

You'll usually need a GCSE in English for this route.

You'll need:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• sensitivity and understanding
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

As a social work assistant you could:

• advise clients and families about what help is available
• visit clients at home to check how they are
• follow or create a social worker care plan
• keep up to date with changes in the law, write reports and keep records
• go to meetings with other healthcare professionals

You could work in the community, at a children's care home, at a client's home, in an office, in an NHS or private hospital or at an adult care home.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.