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Choosing a career in social services

Over 198,000 people work in social services in Scotland and there are more than 25,000 early education and child care workers.

 

What do you want from your career?

Is it a job that is challenging, satisfying, makes a difference and is filled with opportunity? A career in social services can be all of these things and more. It’s work that covers many different areas in our society and involves working with other agencies and professionals.

Social service workers help people to make choices and improve their lives by giving practical help and support to individuals and families in times of crisis. Most people value their independence so staff work closely with other professionals to support vulnerable children and adults – in need or at risk – to remain in their own homes and communities. A social service worker must be able to establish relationships and learn to overcome barriers to communication with people of all ages, backgrounds and with different needs.

 

There are many different types of jobs in social services, requiring a range of skills. You can choose to qualify as a social worker, to work in social care or to work in early education and child care.

 

Career Pack

Pages from our social services career pack.

 

For further information about careers please read our booklet:

iconA Career in Social Services (588.04 kB)

 

For universities who provide the social work degree and postgraduate course please download our:

iconList of university courses (31.04 kB)

 

For contact details for all of Scotland's colleges offering care courses download our:

iconList of Scottish colleges and their contact details (35.37 kB)

 

Job vacanicies

The SSSC do not hold information on social care job vacancies. You may find the following websites useful:

You can also contact Job Centre Plus on 0845 6060 234
 

Caring Careers website

The Caring Careers website.

 

Visit the Caring Careers website to find out more about working in social services in Scotland.

 

The website will help if you are new to the sector or if you are already working within social services and will let you know about different career routes. It has lots of information and useful real case studies of workers.

Career Pathway tools

The SSSC has developed two interactive online career pathway tools for social care, support services, early years and child care workers.


The tools will help to inform current and potential workers of the variety of qualifications, career routes and development options within the sector.

 

Early Years and Child Care

 

A screenshot from the Early Years and Child Care career pathway tool


The Early Years and Child Care tool was created in response to the National Review of the Early Years and Childcare Workforce and provides comprehensive up-to-date guidance regarding career Pathways.

 

Care and Support Services

 

A screenshot from the Care and Support Services career pathway tool.

 

The SSSC also commissioned the development of a Care and Support Services tool for workers in social work, social care and housing support.