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What Are the Main Roles in Health and Social Care?

You might wonder what jobs you explore in health & social care. Well, there are many roles…over 350 in fact! Some people become nurses, doctors, or specialists who help with important tests and treatments. Others might work at the front desk, making sure everything runs smoothly, or they could be experts in computer systems, food, buildings, or plumbing to keep everything working well.

So, there are lots of exciting options to explore!

Who offers Health & Social Care careers & pathways in Gloucestershire?

Health & Social Care careers & further education are provided by different organisations. In Gloucestershire, there are several organisations you can consider:

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust provides joined-up mental health, physical health and learning disability services to people of all ages.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust provides acute hospital services from two large district general hospitals, Cheltenham General Hospital (CGH) and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (GRH). Other community services are also provided.

Gloucestershire Managed Services
Gloucestershire Managed Services provide essential facilities management services, such as Catering, Cleaning, Building Maintenance to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Gloucestershire County Council
Gloucestershire County Council are responsible for a large number of services, including education, social care and transport.

Primary Care Training Hub
Primary care networks are made up of a group of GP practices working together with community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services in their local area.

Proud to Care Gloucestershire, as part of NHS Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire County Council, work to support independent care providers and the care community to recruit and retain a skilled and valued workforce that delivers high-quality adult social care to Gloucestershire communities.

Gloucestershire Care Providers Association
Gloucestershire Care Providers Association is a membership body open to all independent providers of adult social care (private, not-for-profit, and charitable organisations) delivering care to people in their own homes, in a residential or a nursing setting within Gloucestershire. Our members work with older people, people with learning difficulties/Autism, people with a mental health condition and younger adults with physical disabilities.

University of Gloucestershire
The University of Gloucestershire offers a range of health & social care courses to achieve your career aspirations, including undergraduate courses in over 15 specialisms and degree apprenticeships with local health & care organisations.

These organisations may offer apprenticeship opportunities once you turn 16 years of age.

It’s a good time to start thinking about what you want to do after your GCSEs. We can help you understand your options within the NHS and care and give you some ideas to help you choose.

Where do you see yourself in five years within the NHS or care sector?

Consider the type of role you might have or where you might be working. Visualising your future in the NHS or care sector can help you understand the steps you need to take to achieve your career goals. Imagine it like climbing a staircase—your goal in five years is at the top, and to get there, you need to plan the initial steps now.

There are people who can help you plan your next steps. Speak to:

  • Parents/guardians
  • Teachers
  • Friends
  • Careers Adviser
  • We Want You Team

What are your skills and interests?

You might be great at problem-solving, have a natural ability to connect with people, or enjoy caring for others. Perhaps you have a hobby or passion related to helping others that you’ve never considered turning into a career.

Understanding what you enjoy and where your strengths lie is essential in choosing the right role for you in the care sector.

  • Try a skills assessment https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/skills-assessment
  • Link back to apprenticeships page
  • Link back to qualifications page

Find out what you can do after leaving school or college. Check out and compare apprenticeships, jobs, university and further training within NHS and care.

  • Try a skills assessment https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/skills-assessment
  • Link back to apprenticeships page
  • Link back to qualifications page

Considering a Career Change to Health and Care?

People often change careers for various reasons, such as:

  • To earn more money
  • For better terms and conditions
  • To improve work-life balance
  • To explore new roles or specialisations
  • Due to health issues or other personal circumstances

If you’ve never worked in health and care before, this can be an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Whatever your reasons, stay positive and focus on the steps needed to start this new chapter in your health and care career.

  • Find out more about career options within social care. https://www.proudtocareglos.org.uk/career-pathways/
  • Link back apprenticeships page
  • Link back qualifications page

Ready to reignite a fulfilling career within the NHS and care? Your experience and skills are invaluable to us, and we’re here to help you return to your career with confidence.

With an even greater emphasis on teamwork and working in multidisciplinary teams, more flexible working patterns and more opportunities to develop and progress, there’s never been a better time to re-join us.

Remember, returning to a role in healthcare won’t just be emotionally rewarding. With our ongoing training and endless opportunities to learn and progress, there’s no limit to how far you can go with us.

Tailored to Your School

The We Want You outreach team are on a mission to bridge the gap between school curriculum subjects and the exciting range of roles within the NHS and Social Care (over 350+!). Our sessions are designed to give students a first-hand look at health and social care careers and the incredible opportunities it offers. We are passionate about empowering students to see the NHS as more than just a workplace – it is a place where their unique skills and talents are valued, and where they can nurture a rewarding, lifelong career.

Connecting Learning to Reality

We understand that the classroom can sometimes feel disconnected from the real world. That is why we are here to connect the dots. Our sessions links school curriculum subjects to actual roles within the NHS and Social Care, making learning come alive. Students can hear directly from NHS, Social Care and Primary Care staff in various areas, gaining insights into the diverse career paths available.

Our dedicated outreach team aims to meet the majority of Gatsby Benchmarks within our sessions.

Our usual session format consists of an in-person visit from one of our team and (depending on session selected) an health & social care colleague to support the content being delivered.

We can work from within a classroom with small groups of students to 250 students in an assembly setting.

We can deliver a single session in 50 minutes and repeat it across the school day if required.

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Key: 1-8 Gatsby benchmarks, In-P (in person),) Guest-S (guest-speaker), IT equipment required.


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