What is it?

The sector encompasses provision of healthcare including medical, nursing and allied professions. Social care includes social work and the provision of personal care. Employers in the health and social care sector include

• NHS and private hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Veterinary surgeries

There are several organisations responsible for this sector:

For advice about employment in the social care sector go to Skills for care  the employer-led, government sponsored organisation for this sector.

For advice about employment in the health sector go to Skills for health  the employer-led, government sponsored organisation for this sector.

Facts and figures

• Health and Social Care sector accounts for around 15% of employment in Sussex (around 85,800 employees).
• This sector has a greater proportion of small sized establishments, employing between 11 and 49 people, than is found for all industries (32% compared with 11%).
• Workers in this sector are more likely to have qualifications at Level 4 or above than those in all industries (38% compared with 24%) but 33% of those working in the sector are low skilled (with qualifications at Level 1 or no qualifications).
• Employees are more likely to work part-time than their equivalents in all industries (49% compared with 36%).
• The majority of jobs are in the public sector and public policy remains a key driving force behind the future of this sector.

source: Sussex Enterprise

Higher education qualifications suitable for the sector

• foundation degrees/HNCs/HNDs such as Animal Management, Complementary Healthcare, Health & Social Care, NVQ level 4 Health & Social Care
• undergraduate degrees such as BSc Community Specialist Practice, Bachelor of Medicine, BA/BSc Nursing Studies, BSc Osteopathy Studies, BA Social Care Management, BA Social Work, Bachelor of Surgery
• postgraduate degrees such as Doctorate in Podiatry, MA Health Promotion, MSc Mental Health, MSc Primary Care, Doctorate in Social Work, MA Social Work, Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Social Work

Go to Key Routes to compare qualifications and routes into higher education for Occupational therapy, Radiography, Biomedical science and Adult social care and use the information sheets at the bottom of this page for career details.

In addition, the Kent & Medway Lifelong Learning Network has produced information and a range of leaflets and information about the Health and Well-being Framework (this includes Beauty therapy, Child care and Early years studies, Health and social care, Hospitality and catering, Science and Sport and leisure).  

Here we are focusing on higher education but there are many other qualifications and routes to study available including NVQs, Apprenticeships and BTEC awards. Talk to your local college or private training provider about what's available.

Where to study

Courses differ from place to place... institutions normally develop and teach their own courses so the content and focus of each course can be very different. It pays to shop around!

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