Covering a wide range of services, this sector offers a variety of graduate opportunities in:

• advice work

  

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• social work
• youth work
• housing
• counselling
• probation
• prison service
• working with young offenders

to name but a few.

This sector employs around 922,000 people, offering services to people, particularly the elderly, children and young people, adults with disabilities, and people with mental health issues. Over 2 million people access over 30,000 service-providers in this sector.

Employment is often within local authorities, charities, agencies and increasingly within the private sector. There may also be opportunities for self-employment in this field.

Working in social welfare can be stressful, but is balanced by the satisfaction of helping people and making a positive impact in their lives.

To find out more about working as a graduate in social care check out:

• Job Sector information on Social work & probation and Social & pastoral welfare click on the Health & Social Care button at www.york.ac.uk/careers/sectorsearch/
• the Health & social care sector’s Industry Insight at www.prospects.ac.uk
• profiles and case studies of different social care careers at: www.prospects.ac.uk(click Jobs and work – Explore types of jobs – Social care and guidance work)
• the Care Quality Commission at www.cqc.org.uk/
• Health & Social Care Job Sector files in the Information Room, which include case studies, news cuttings, vacancy sites and background information
• journals, such Community Care and Society Guardian, available for reference in the Information Room
• reference books, such as Understanding social work also available in the Information Room

Also, watch out for careers events, such as the  Working Lives talks, where those working in the sector talk about their job and how they got into such work. All events are advertised via the Interactive Careers Service at: www.york.ac.uk/careers