On this page is more information about the more advanced career opportunities available in social care.
If you are interested you can view our current vacancies.
Careers in social care - levels four to six
Level four
Level four jobs are more senior and usually require previous experience and a certain level of training.
Jobs at this level include:
Assistant practitioner (also known as an Associate Practitioner)
Although not a registered practitioner, the job has a level of skill in a particular area of clinical practice gained through experience and training.
Occupational therapy assistant
Helping occupational therapy clients by providing rehabilitative services, under the direction of occupational therapists, to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments.
Mental health support worker
Supporting people with long term mental health problems, helping them to adapt to ordinary life within the community by developing coping skills rather than being institutionalised in a hospital or hostel.
Equipment technician
Advising and maintaining equipment designed to enable people to live more independent lives. Includes electronic and electro-mechanical equipment and other electronic assistive technology.
Social care assessor
Two types of jobs. One job is in Care Direct Plus carrying out telephone assessments. The second job is in the community looking at individuals support needs and linking with other professionals to meet those needs.
Standard broker
Matching care services to needs identified in individual care and support plans, following an assessment of need by care management staff. Arranging these services with accredited providers, subject to the agreed delegated authority levels being applied.
Deputy manager and team leader
Responsible for the day-to-day provision of social care services. This means supporting staff and ensuring the standard of care delivered is always high. Most services in health and social care will have a management role.
Qualifications
Qualifications expected for some of these jobs include
- a Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care or
- a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management of Care Services.
Both are practice-based qualifications for specific job roles assessed in the workplace.
Other roles listed require specialist training and qualifications, your employer will identify what training you need and offer support as appropriate.
Your employer will normally access training through local colleges and private training organisations, some larger employers deliver their own training and qualifications.
Level five
Level five jobs require considerable experience in health and social care, as well as management experience.
Jobs at this level include:
Manager in health and social care settings
The settings can include care homes (residential and nursing).
These roles are responsible for running a service (or services) and supervising senior staff. It includes making decisions about the direction and quality of a service that will impact on improving people’s lives.
Senior Practitioner and Assistant Practitioner (within the NHS) (also known as Associate Practitioner)
Although not a registered practitioner, this job has a level of skill in a particular area of clinical practice. It is gained through experience and training.
Public Health Practitioner
This job can apply to many places and in many areas of public health.
For example, it may include:
- supporting healthy lifestyle programmes
- helping individuals and groups to stop smoking
- encourage fitness and exercise.
Level six
Experienced professionals have a wide-range of opportunities in health and social care.
Jobs at this level include:
Registered manager
Under the Care Standards Act 2000, the Registered Manager is responsible for the social care provision that he/she is managing.
Registered professionals
These roles provide direct support to social care work. It includes qualified or registered professionals specialising in a particular area.
Some examples are:
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Social Worker
- Nurse (paediatric/mental health/adult)
- Operating Department practitioners
- Adult Mental Health Practitioner
- Psychologist
- Midwife