Social care
Are you passionate about caring for others? A career in social care could be perfect for you.
What impact could you make?
A young person entering this industry can expect a career working their way up from the bottom to the top. I started as a trainee and worked my way up to a senior practitioner.HayleySenior Practitioner
Social care at a glance
There are a lot of routes you could take in social care. You might work with the public, giving you the chance to meet and care for a range of people with unique backgrounds and needs.
You could also provide support from behind-the-scenes. By working as an accountant, chef, software designer or something else, you'll have a positive impact on the care people receive.
No matter what role you choose, working in social care changes lives for the better.
Employment
In 2024, there were around 191,900 people working in Scotland’s social care industry.
Job availability
Between 2024 and 2027, it's expected there will be 21,400 people needed to fill job openings in Scotland.
Job diversity
In 2024, the social care sector accounted for 7.3% of employed Scots. With such a large workforce, there are opportunities for people of all backgrounds across the country to work alongside each other.
Get a career which changes people's lives for the better
We’ve pulled out some of the most popular social care job profiles for you to explore.
Things you may not know about social care
One in 13 people employed across Scotland work in social services.
Source: Careers in Care
Many employers in social care are moving towards value-based recruitment. This means they’re looking for people who hold the key values they need.
Source: Scottish Social Services Council
There are over 10,000 social workers registered with the Scottish Social Services Council in Scotland.
Source: Careers in Care
What subjects you could take in school
We've pulled together some examples of subjects and Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) that could be useful for getting into a social care career.
sociology
Social Services and Healthcare FA
psychology
English
care
childcare and development
art and design
people and society
Social Services Children and Young People FA
Skills for Work Health and Social care
Organisations making a difference
Discover some of the organisations within social care and how they’re making an impact on the industry.
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
SSSC is the regulator for social care workers in Scotland. Anybody who studies or works in social care needs to register with them.
Visit Scottish Social Services Council
Adult Social Care
Adult Social Care supports care workers across Scotland. They have valuable resources and case studies that can help, whether you’re in a job or looking for one.
Visit Adult Social Care
Health careers NHS
Find out what it's like working in social care.
Visit health careers NHSCareers in Care
Careers in Care is run by SSSC. Use this website to choose a pathway and learn about the life-changing work you could do.
Visit Careers in Care