“Health and Social Care refers to a wide range of services designed to support individuals physical, mental and social wellbeing. It encompasses both:
Healthcare: which focuses on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness and injuries
Social care: provides support for daily living activities and social needs. The goal is to promote overall wellbeing and quality of life for individuals of all ages.” AI Overview 2025.
This article looks at the personal qualities and qualifications needed to work in Health and Social Care and what the options are in a variety of settings to improve personal development and enjoy a rewarding career.
The author’s career pathway will enable those who are interested in Health and Social Care to consider the options and plan to improve personal development and be confident in a worthwhile, rewarding career.
The Health and Social Care Sector
There are three sectors in Health and Social Care:
- Public Health
- Primary Care
- Hospital Care
It is important to consider personal qualities, skills, qualifications required before deciding on the setting to pursue a career. There are a wide range of specialities which will be considered and how on-going training will benefit personal development and enhance quality of care for vulnerable people.
There are personal qualities needed in a Health and Social Care setting:
- Good communication skills
- Empathy
- Trustworthy
- Knowledgeable
- Reliable
- Willing to improve personal development and research practice.
According to Department of Health NI (2012) there are 5 key quality themes:
- Effective communication and information
- Corporate leadership and accountability of organisation
- Safe and effective care
- Accessible, flexible and responsive services
- Promoting, protecting and improving Health and Social well-being.
Access to Health and Care can be considered at any age. It is important to know where to get advice, education at school will guide the student through the process before leaving school. It can help to obtain GCSEs in English and Maths as a minimum. However, there are Career’s Advice Centres, Job Centres, Colleges and various ways to explore opportunities and training: Online tuition, Distance Learning, Tutorials, Work Placements, and Apprentices.
A Career Pathway: Health and Social Care
When leaving school, I always knew I wanted to do Nurse Training but was unsure what area to specialise. I left school with no qualifications but decided to do weekend work and get qualifications at my local college. I worked in a laundrette, supermarket, hairdressers and found the work experience very useful and improved my confidence in the workplace and working as part of a team.
I was fortunate to get my qualifications and decided to apply for a Dental Nurse / Receptionist which was advertised locally. This position was a valuable placement – I gained experience working with the Dental Surgeon – In house training enabled me to assist in dental treatment, book appointments, work as part of a team and I decided to stay there for 8 years. During this time, I developed many skills including administration and wages and was involved in improving Dental Nurse salary scale with the Whitley Council.
However, I had not achieved my main ambition and that was to be a Nurse. My first position was a Care Assistant in a local Elderly Care Home and mandatory training included: Moving and Handling, Fire Regulations, Risk assessments, Health & Safety, First Aid, Medication, Infection control, Health issues e.g., Diabetes, Dementia, Alzheimer’s. I gained valuable experience in this area and enabled me to communicate with other professionals including Physiotherapists, Occupational Health, Dieticians, Doctors, Nurses, Mental Health Team, Social Workers, Pharmacies, as well as Resident’s families, Church visitors and Community Team members.
Project 2000 Nurse Training Course
The Project 2000 Nurse Training Course was introduced in my local hospital which was a different training programme to the Traditional Nurse Training Course. Traditional Nurse training involved mainly practical nursing skills, the Project Nurse Training involved working closely with Junior doctors and focus being on Legislation, Standards, Regulations, Policies and Procedures, Technology and Administration, as well as the practical skills. Fortunately, I was accepted onto this course as a mature student and felt this was the ideal course for me and I qualified as a Registered Nurse / BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care three years later.
Career – Registered Nurse
Working towards a career as a Registered Nurse will lead to one of the following fields:
- Adult nursing
- Children’s nursing
- Learning disability nursing
- Mental health nursing
Entry requirements for nursing degrees are usually 2-3 A Levels or equivalent qualifications at level 3. Also, GCSEs including English, Maths and Science. The NHS website details university courses in a range of clinical careers.
During my training, I enjoyed placements which included: Emergency Care: Accident and Emergency, Paramedics, Mental Health, Children’s Ward, Children’s Clinic, Maternity, Rheumatology Clinic, Out-Patient’s Clinic, Community Placements, Kidney Dialysis Ward, Intensive Care Unit, Women’s Health, Elderly Care, General Surgery / Medical Wards, Endoscopy, Cancer Care.
During training there are many courses for students to attend, some are mandatory e.g., Fire, Health & Safety, First Aid, Moving & Handling, Safeguarding, Infection Control – some are linked to the area worked in to ensure research-based practice. Accurate record keeping and documentation involving Care Planning, Risk Assessments and Health & Safety is required and evidence of training updates will be required during CQC Inspections.
When I qualified, I was unsure what area I wanted to specialise in – I found all placements invaluable and professional staff were inspiring. Positions held following graduation included Registered Nurse, Staff Nurse, Sister, Matron. Then a Residential Nursing Care Home Manager was advertised, and I was fortunate to be accepted. I was able to put all the knowledge and experience I had gained to improve Elderly Care, which for many years had been neglected. As a Nurse Manager I was able to teach Care Assistants, Nurses, and all team members to improve quality of life for vulnerable adults. Standards and Regulations were adhered to, and a Mission Statement gave residents and their families confidence that things would be improved in the future. Care Quality Commission inspections were positive, and I was fortunate to work in several Homes to ensure good practice. As a Manager it is important to ensure staff are supported, given guidance and advice and a fair pay structure. Personal Development Plans, Appraisals, Staff Meetings involve all the team and training courses regularly updated will ensure research-based practice. Managers are still required to continue learning: NVQ Level 4 Health Care and NVQ Level 5 Strategic Management was achieved which enables the Manager to be involved in policy making and implementing positive changes in the future. Technology plays an important role in Health & Social Care settings today and training will provide confidence in relevant programmes.
It is important to consider local community groups involved in Health & Social Care such as Church, Pharmacies, Local General Practice and Members of Parliament. Good communications skills can enable positive change and involve activities for those who are vulnerable in the wider community. Community hubs can relieve the pressure if funding is spent wisely and access to clinics, housing, support networks, activities and could be a useful resource for those requiring rehabilitation. Volunteer work is invaluable and could help to decide for a lifelong career as well as being supportive to those in need.
Career Choices within Health and Social Care
There are so many opportunities to consider when making a career decision. However, the main factor is that it is an individual choice and what makes you feel satisfied and happy in the workplace. Health & Social Care is a rewarding area whatever setting is chosen – it is knowing that your skills can make a difference to someone who is ill or suffering.
If you are prepared to continue learning and updating skills, then change can happen, and quality of care can be improved. If you are planning to go to University to study for a degree, you may find A Levels a good progression for this. Alternatively, you could complete a CACHE Level 3 Award in Health and Social Care course. Not only does this course carry UCAS points for University but you will cover many aspects of Health and Social care for within the workplace.
NHS Apprenticeships are a great route to go down as you will gain qualifications whilst working. Apprenticeships are available at several levels and some will require you to have 4-5 GCSEs rather than A Levels or a degree.
Working in Health & Social Care involves many training qualifications which can be transferable – and adapt to family life. Long or unsociable hours may not be possible when planning a family or changes in life events. Skills obtained during training can be invaluable and part time positions may benefit those with responsibilities in a variety of areas.
When finding the ideal setting, job satisfaction and personal confidence will improve, and vulnerable people will benefit by those who genuinely want to improve quality of care and give support to those who maybe in crisis.
