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What qualifications do I need?
If you want a career in this sector, try to get work experience in a nursery or pre school setting. Most workers will obtain qualifications such as work based Scottish Vocational Qualifications and the HNC in Early Education and Child Care. Contact your local college for more information. A student would normally work in a local authority or private nursery and attend college one or two days a week.

Workers in this sector will have to register with the Scottish Social Services Council from 2006/7 and you can click here to get more information about registration. The SSSC accept a range of qualifications and you can get a list of the qualifications by emailing enquiries@sssc.uk.com or call 0845 60 30 891.


Funding for training

If you are considering doing a course in early education and child care, contact your local college to discuss funding.

 

Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for course fees or grants.
Work based qualifications (SVQs) are usually funded by employers and you can discuss the options directly with them.

 

Once you are working in the sector there are opportunities for further education and training. The employee development officer for your organisation will be able to give advice.

 

 

Useful websites

Scottish Qualifications Authority
www.sqa.org.uk

 

Learning and Teaching Scotland
www.ltscotland.com

 

Care Commission
www.carecommission.com

 

Scottish Out of School Care Network
www.soscn.org

 

Children in Scotland
www.childreninscotland.org.uk
 

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.

Scottish college contacts

College contact details

Please click to view the contact details for Scottish colleges offering care courses.

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.