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.
A pastoral care worker provides support and guidance to students or individuals, helping them with their wellbeing, emotional development, and personal issues. In the UK, most pastoral care workers are employed in schools, colleges, or community organisations. Their job involves listening to students' concerns, providing advice, working closely with teachers and parents, and sometimes delivering sessions on topics like bullying, mental health, and coping skills. They play an essential role in making sure that young people feel safe, supported, and able to achieve their potential. Pastoral care workers need excellent communication skills, empathy, and the ability to handle sensitive situations confidentially.
Pastoral care workers in the UK typically earn between £18,000 and £28,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
Most pastoral care workers are employed in schools, with over 20,000 schools in the UK providing opportunities for such roles.
There has been a growing demand for pastoral care workers in schools, particularly as awareness of student mental health increases.
Supports pupils in schools with their emotional and mental wellbeing, offering guidance and liaising with teachers and parents to ensure pupils feel safe and supported.
Works with young people outside of school settings, providing advice, organising activities, and helping them with personal or social issues.
Ensures that children and young people in schools or colleges are protected from harm and that any concerns about their welfare are followed up appropriately.
Find out what pastoral care involves by looking at job descriptions, reading articles, and speaking to people in the field.
Start by visiting school or hospital websites to read about their pastoral support services. Talk to your school’s pastoral staff or careers advisor to gain a first-hand understanding of their daily responsibilities. You may also look for online forums or local community groups that discuss pastoral care roles.
Volunteer in roles that involve helping others, such as peer mentoring, youth clubs, or community organisations.
Volunteering gives you a taste of supporting people and helps you develop important skills like communication, empathy, and problem-solving. Schools, churches, and youth groups often welcome volunteers who want to help with student wellbeing or community projects.
Most pastoral care roles require at least GCSEs, with some asking for A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
Focus on subjects like English, Psychology, or Social Care. Some roles may require a degree in education, counselling, or social work, but entry-level positions may accept strong GCSEs and experience. Check job adverts to see what is most commonly required.
Take short courses or workshops in safeguarding, mental health, or counselling to boost your skills.
Many local colleges, charities, and online platforms offer relevant courses. Certificates in areas like child protection or mental health first aid are especially valued in pastoral care roles. This training shows employers you are committed to supporting others effectively.
Work on listening, understanding, and communicating clearly with others of all ages.
You can practise these skills through school activities, part-time jobs, or volunteering. Being supportive and approachable is crucial for a pastoral care worker. Ask for feedback from teachers or mentors to help you improve.
Apply for pastoral or support assistant roles in schools, colleges, or community settings to gain practical experience.
Look for paid or voluntary positions such as school welfare assistant, learning mentor, or youth worker. These roles allow you to work directly with individuals who need support and help you build a strong application for a full pastoral care role.
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 primarily provides emotional and spiritual support to individuals, similar to the role of a Care worker who offers personal care and assistance. Both roles focus on supporting the wellbeing of individuals through compassionate interpersonal skills and understanding, often within community or care settings.
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.
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