Social care jobs by role

Support workers help people live the lives they choose — from daily routines to getting out into the community.

Care assistants provide personal care and companionship, and are often the people residents trust most.

Senior carers lead shifts, manage medication and help newer colleagues develop.

Domiciliary carers visit people in their own homes, helping them stay independent for longer.

Live-in carers provide one-to-one support in someone's home, often on rotating placements.

Personal assistants (PAs) are employed directly by the person they support — usually through direct payments — to help with everyday life, on that person's terms.

Youth workers support young people through education, housing and wellbeing challenges.

Qualified social workers assess needs, safeguard people at risk and coordinate support.

Nurses in social care lead clinical care in nursing homes and specialist services.

Activities coordinators plan the moments that make a care home feel like home.

Care coordinators match people's needs with the right carers and keep services running smoothly.

Deputy managers support the registered manager to run a safe, well-led service.

Registered managers are accountable to the CQC for the quality and safety of their service.

Family support workers help parents and children through difficult times, working alongside social workers, schools and health services to keep families safely together.

Residential childcare workers look after children and young people living in children's homes, giving them stability, routine and someone on their side.

Occupational therapists in social care assess what people need to live safely and independently at home, from equipment and adaptations to new ways of doing everyday tasks.

Mental health practitioners support people living with mental illness to stay well, recover and live independently, often in community teams.

Substance misuse workers support people affected by drugs or alcohol through treatment and recovery, and help them rebuild their lives.

Housing support workers help people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home to find and keep somewhere safe to live.

Team managers in social care and social work lead teams of practitioners, overseeing casework, decisions and the quality of support people receive.