You could take a college course, which may help you when looking for work.
Courses include:
- care
- health and social care
- T Level in Health
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Pastoral care workers play a vital role in supporting the emotional, social, and sometimes spiritual wellbeing of students in schools or members of a community. Their job involves offering guidance, mentoring, and practical help to individuals facing personal or academic difficulties. They often work closely with teachers, parents, and other professionals to create a nurturing environment, helping to address issues such as bullying, attendance, mental health, or family problems. Pastoral care workers may also lead group sessions, deliver workshops, and signpost to specialist support services when needed. This career requires excellent communication and empathy skills, a strong sense of responsibility, and the ability to handle sensitive situations confidentially.
Pastoral care workers in the UK typically earn between £18,000 and £26,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
There are over 4,000 pastoral care worker positions in UK schools and community organisations.
Most pastoral care workers work full time during school hours, with occasional evening or weekend duties.
Works within schools to support pupils with emotional, social, or behavioural difficulties, helping them settle in and thrive during their education.
Supports young people with mental health challenges, providing guidance and working closely with educational staff and families.
Acts as a link between schools and families, offering support to pupils and parents to ensure the wellbeing and development of young people.
Learn about what a Pastoral Care Worker does and the settings in which they work.
Talk to your school’s pastoral team or look at websites for organisations like YoungMinds or Mind. Understanding the role will help you decide if it suits your skills and interests.
Work on your communication skills and ability to empathise with others.
You could volunteer for peer mentoring schemes, help out with school clubs, or take part in extracurricular activities that involve supporting others. These experiences will help you build trust and connect with people.
Achieve good GCSEs, especially in English and subjects like PSHE or RE.
Most roles require at least GCSEs. A-levels in psychology, sociology, or health and social care can be helpful for further study. Focus on developing strong written and verbal communication skills.
Consider a qualification in counselling, youth work, or pastoral care.
You may take a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills, a diploma in youth work, or a degree in education, social work, or psychology. Some roles accept experience in place of formal qualifications, but further study can expand your opportunities.
Volunteer or work part-time in settings like schools, youth groups, or charities.
Experience working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults is highly valued. Look for placements or volunteering opportunities with local organisations to build a track record of supporting others.
Look for job openings in schools, colleges, hospitals, or community organisations.
Check local authority job boards, school websites, and organisations such as the NHS for vacancies. Tailor your CV to highlight your relevant qualifications and experience in supporting others.
Take part in further training and seek supervision to improve your skills.
Attend workshops on safeguarding, mental health, or conflict resolution. Supervision is important in pastoral roles to ensure you are supported and working effectively. Consider joining professional bodies for networking and continued learning.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Pastoral Care Worker. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Pastoral Care Worker provides emotional and spiritual support to individuals, often within a care or community setting, which closely aligns with the role of a Care Worker. Both roles involve offering compassionate assistance and supporting people's wellbeing, though the Pastoral Care Worker may focus more on spiritual guidance.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a college course, which may help you when looking for work.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a care organisation or the NHS.
Apprenticeship options include:
These can take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine workplace training with study in the classroom.
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
You can volunteer with an organisation that supports vulnerable people, like a care home, charity, hospital or hospice. This can help you when applying for paid work.
You can find volunteering opportunities through:
You can apply for care worker jobs directly. If you get the role, you'll be given on-the-job training by your employer.
It's important to be kind, caring and have a respectful attitude towards people who need care and support.
Some employers might want you to have GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent. However, many will offer training to applicants who have the right personal qualities.
Time spent caring for someone you know also counts as having experience in a caring role.
You can find out more about careers in care from:
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK
Phone
01603 273515
Email
[email protected]
Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.
Unlock expert-designed lessons, resources, and assessments tailored for educators. No credit card required.
Claim Your Free Trial →