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Cambridge and the surrounding areas offer a wealth of opportunities in Adult Social Care, with roles across the council and local providers. This fast-growing sector is in high demand. There are over 1.55 million jobs across England and a need for 275,000 more workers by 2025.
Whether you are starting out or looking to progress, Cambridgeshire offers a vibrant community, flexible working, competitive salaries, and a chance to make a real difference to people's lives.
It's the perfect place to build a rewarding career in adult social care.
Various places you can make a difference
Care is delivered in many settings, discover which feels right for you...
- Care homes - 24/7 support in a residential and nursing home settings for people who can't live independently
- Home (domiciliary) care - support people in their own homes with tasks like washing, meals, and companionship
- Supported living - help people with learning disabilities or mental health needs live independently
- Local authority services - work in reablement, assessment teams, safeguarding, or day centres run by the council
- NHS or joint health and care roles - bridge health and social care, for example hospital discharge or community care teams
- Extra Care Housing - support older adults in flats with 24/7 care available on-site
Starting your journey in social care
Explore the different routes into the care sector and find the one that’s right for you:
- Start with a course at school or college
- Try a traineeship
- Apply for an Apprenticeship
- Join a care sector-routeway
- Volunteer or gain work experience
- Apply for a vacancy
Getting started in Adult Social Care
These roles support individuals to live their lives to the fullest, providing personal care, everyday support, and assistance within dependent living. You could work in various settings, such as people's homes, residential care, or supported living environments. As a starting point in social care, these roles offer opportunities to learn, grow, and develop valuable skills, with clear pathways to progress in your career.
Level 2 roles include:
- care assistant (National Careers Service website)
- support worker (Skills for Care)
- personal assistant (Skills for Care)
- Shared Lives carer (Skills for Care)
Training includes:
Building your career journey
Level 3 direct care roles include:
- social prescriber (more information on Skills for Care website)
- senior care worker (National Careers website)
- enhanced care worker (GOV.UK)
- activity worker/co-ordinator (Skills for Care)
- rehabilitation worker (Skills for Care)
- reablement worker/enabler (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICS)
- advocacy worker (Skills for Care)
- housing support officer (Skills for Care)
- occupational therapy support worker (Health Careers NHS)
- complementary therapy support worker (Skills for Care)
Level 3 Diploma
Consider a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care to develop your skills and prepare for senior roles in the sector.
Management pathways
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
- Social Worker
- Specialist Social Worker (need link)
- Registered Nurse
- Occupational Therapist
- Specialist Coordinator
Level 5 Diploma
Consider a qualification in Leadership in Health and Social Care to support your progression. A professional degree in areas such as social work, nursing, or occupational therapy can also be valuable.
Specialist career paths
Consider a qualification in Leadership in Health and Social Care to support your progression. A professional degree in areas such as social work, nursing, or occupational therapy can also be valuable.
You can choose to specialise in specific areas of care, such as:
Your next steps
Train near you
Build your skills with local courses.
- Cambridge Regional College
- Care Certificate
- Care Professional Academy
- College of West Anglia
- Anglia Ruskin University
Find jobs in care
Step into your first (or next) care role.
