Sarahjane Whyte
Early years practitioner
Childhood experiences last a lifetime
In this career you could be inspiring children in their early years, supporting their development through childhood and helping them thrive as young adults.
There are many careers available including early learning and childcare (like nurseries), out of school care (like after school and holiday clubs), childminding and residential schools which provide additional support for learning.
You could also develop a career in residential childcare which means providing a loving, safe and supportive home to children and young people living away from their families.
Good communication, creativity, resilience and an understanding of how children and young people think and feel will help you succeed.
Day by day discovery. I love to follow children's journeys together.
Satoko Kojima-Kirylczuk Nursery practitioner
What’s it really like to work in social services? Find out from current social service professionals in our career stories.
Career stories
There are over 200,000 people working in social services and they come from all walks of life. Take a look at these stories from people already working with children and young people to learn how they got started, what they like most and their best words of advice for you.
Use the buttons below to filter the stories. Once you've explored some stories, keep scrolling on this page to learn how you can enter this career.
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Donna Murray
Personal assistant
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Jono McCulloch
Playworker
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Nether Johnstone House
Residential childcare (video)
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Stephanie Loughlin
Supervisor (Video)
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Ben O’Farrell
Residential childcare worker
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Gemma Paterson
Equity and excellence lead
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Alex McBain
Deputy lead practitioner
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Deborah Johnson
Community support assistant
Below, Charlotte describes her experience in residential childcare and the staff who helped her succeed.
Charlotte
When I first went to Nether Johnstone House I was terrified. I had never been in care before. It was overwhelming when I walked in. There were all these people. They seemed nice enough but I just wanted to be alone. It took a couple of weeks to settle in and to get to know people.
I started to feel comfortable, and I really enjoyed going out on activities like playing pool, bowling, fishing and going to the cinema. When I was old enough, I loved going to the bingo! I also liked washing the cars and painting the outdoor decking.
I had good relationships with most of the staff. I even had my favourite five staff members.
I have so many good memories with the staff and young people at Nether Johnstone, like going to Millport and getting really badly sunburnt. Going to Blackpool glamping, going to London, and doing Sleep in the Park which was freezing! I also remember taking one of the staff members to Lochwinnoch to feed the swans and the staff member was terrified of them which was hilarious.
I lived in Nether Johnstone House for three years and they were the best. I’ve had my ups and downs but they never gave up on me and I can't thank them enough.
When I was told I was moving I was terrified again having to start over in my own flat. Not having people there 24/7 was a scary thought, but the staff reassured me I would be okay and that they would stay in touch which they have done.
Now I am standing on my own two feet and that’s because of all the help and support the staff gave me. They have made a huge difference in my life and I can't thank them enough.
Qualification pathways
You don’t usually need a qualification to start this career but you’ll have an opportunity to gain one in work. If you want to progress into promoted posts there are qualifications to help you do this. Explore our interactive pathways to see how qualifications can help you build a career.
Take your first steps
Explore these routes to get help taking your first steps. In each category you’ll find links to websites to apply for work experience, jobs, training or study.
Take your first steps
Learn
You can develop your knowledge and prepare for interviews with free learning resources from the SSSC.
SSSC Learning Zone
Whatever your role and level of experience, the SSSC Learning Zone has apps and resources to help you develop your knowledge and skills. These are all completely free and you can work through them at your own pace.
SSSC Open Badges
Open Badges are digital certificates recognising learning and achievement. If you can demonstrate that you’ve learned from materials produced by the SSSC you can earn an Open Badge. You can share digital badges with potential employers.
A Question of Care
Try the interactive video challenges in this website to find out if you have the right values for working in social services.
Right Values, Right People
This recruitment toolkit will help you identify your values and prepare for job interviews.
Communication skills for caring
Communication skills are important in social service careers and this website points you to some online, local and national resources. Many of the resources shown can help you improve your English skills.
Find volunteering and work experience opportunities
Volunteering and work experience can help you show employers that you are committed and understand what it is like to work with people. Here are some ideas.
- Contact some community-based services and ask about voluntary or part time roles. Children’s services could include sports groups and holiday clubs. Adult’s services could include day care or care homes. If you have a hobby or skill you can offer to share it.
- Speak to a friend or relative who works in social services. They can explain what their job is like and may be able to help you get work experience.
- Visit your nearest volunteer (or voluntary action) centre. You can use this website to find one close to you.
- Organisations like Girlguiding Scotland, Scouts Scotland, Prince’s Trust and Duke of Edinburgh have volunteering and work experience programmes for young people.
- Other organisations which offer advice about volunteering include Volunteer Scotland, Volunteering Matters and NHS Health Scotland.
- You could consider applying to become a panel member with Children’s Hearings Scotland.
Apply for jobs and learn while you work
Here are some popular job websites you can try:
If you’re not ready to apply for jobs try looking at some volunteering and work experience opportunities.
You can find out if you have the right values for working in social services with our interactive quiz A Question of Care.
Qualifications may help you apply for some jobs but remember that many people start working first and gain their qualification once they have taken part in training and are confident in their role.
Apply to train as an apprentice
Search for modern apprenticeship opportunities online at apprenticeships.scot
Apprenticeships are also advertised on some job sites, like myjobscotland.
You could also ask colleges, local training companies or employers about vacancies.
As an apprentice you will take part in training and be supervised by experienced workers. There should be no age limit so look around to see if there’s an opportunity for you.
If you already have a job you may be able to access apprenticeship funding for your modern, technical or professional apprenticeship.
Find a college course
You can gain a qualification in college before you find your first job or while you work.
Find the name of the qualification that’s right for you in our qualification pathway then see if it’s available at the college you want to attend.
Remember that the college can offer you an access route if you don’t yet meet the entry requirements for your chosen course.
- North East Scotland College
- Ayrshire College
- Borders College
- Forth Valley College
- Dumfries & Galloway College
- Edinburgh College
- Fife College
- Glasgow Kelvin College
- Glasgow Clyde College
- City of Glasgow College
- Argyll College UHI
- Inverness College UHI
- Lews Castle College UHI
- Moray College UHI
- North Highland College UHI
- Orkney College UHI
- Perth College UHI
- West Highland College UHI
- Shetland College UHI
- South Lanarkshire College
- New College Lanarkshire
- Dundee and Angus College
- West College Scotland
- West Lothian College
Find a university course
Practice qualifications
The SSSC accepts a range of practice-based qualifications gained at university.
Get information about studying social work in this website.
Get information about studying nursing and allied health professions (like occupational therapy) at the NHS Scotland careers website.
Get information about studying teaching at the Teach in Scotland careers website.
Make sure you check our website for information on the university qualifications we accept.
Other qualifications
You can bring the knowledge you gain in any university course to a career in social services. You could also work in social services while you study.
If you stay in a social service career you will need to gain a practice qualification like an SVQ or HNC. These qualifications include observed and assessed practice in the workplace. This means someone would come to your workplace and watch and assess you while you carry out your work.
Qualification Methods
Volunteering and work experience
Volunteering and work experience can help you show employers that you are committed and understand what it is like to work with people. Here are some ideas.
- Contact some community-based services and ask about voluntary or part time roles. Children’s services could include sports groups and holiday clubs. Adult’s services could include day care or care homes. If you have a hobby or skill you can offer to share it.
- Speak to a friend or relative who works in social services. They can explain what their job is like and may be able to help you get work experience.
- Visit your nearest volunteer (or voluntary action) centre. You can use this website to find one close to you.
- Organisations like Girlguiding Scotland, Scouts Scotland, Prince’s Trust and Duke of Edinburgh have volunteering and work experience programmes for young people.
- Other organisations which offer advice about volunteering include Volunteer Scotland, Volunteering Matters and NHS Health Scotland.
- You could consider applying to become a panel member with Children’s Hearings Scotland.
Learning as an apprentice
Modern apprenticeships can provide you with a chance to get employed and learn on the job. Foundation apprenticeships are only available if you are still in school.
Search for modern apprenticeship opportunities online at apprenticeships.scot
You could also ask colleges, local training companies or employers about vacancies.
As an apprentice you would take part in training and be supervised by experienced workers.
Most employers offer an apprenticeship wage however some may offer more. There should be no age limit so look around to see if there is an opportunity for you.
If you already have a job you may be able to access apprenticeship funding for your modern, technical or professional apprenticeship.
Learning in the workplace
The most popular qualification in social services is the SVQ and you gain this while working.
Click on the V icon for ideas on how to gain experience, including volunteering. At the bottom of the main children and young people and social services and healthcare pages we’ve highlighted some job sites and useful resources that you can use to prepare for job interviews.
Once you are in a job and feeling confident in your skills you can apply for an SVQ. Your employer will support you to do this.
Learning in college
You can study at college full time or get a job and study part time where available. Work experience will help you secure a place on your chosen course.
If you don’t meet the entry requirements you should speak to the college because they can offer you a different entry route. Courses might have different names depending on which college you choose. Here are the names of some national awards you can ask about.
Children and young people:
- Skills for Work: Early Learning and Childcare National 4
- Skills for Work: Early Learning and Childcare National 5
- NC Child, Health and Social Care at SCQF level 5.
Health and social care:
- National 4 Care
- National 5 Care
- NC Child, Health and Social Care at SCQF level 5
- Higher Care
- NC Health and Social Care at SCQF level 6
Starting in university
You can bring the knowledge you gain at university to a career in social services. You could also work in social services while you study.
If you stay in a social service career you will need to gain a practice qualification like an SVQ or HNC. These qualifications include observed and assessed practice in the workplace. This means someone would come to your workplace and watch and assess you while you are carrying out your work.
The SSSC accepts a range of practice-based qualifications gained at university. This includes social work, nursing, teaching and a range of allied health professions. We’ve included some of these in the pathway and you can see the full range on our website.
MyLearning app
Learning about social services is a good way to show your committment to employers.
If you want to store your learning and share it with others, including new employers, try using MyLearning. It's a free, smartphone-based app provided by the SSSC.
MyLearning is also used by social service workers to record continuous professional learning.
