Are care jobs in demand in the UK?

Official ONS data consistently shows health and social care among the sectors with the most vacancies in the UK, and Skills England lists it as a priority sector. Demand varies by region, employer and time period, so vacancy data is context rather than a promise of a job near you.

Do I need experience to start in care?

Many entry-level care roles are open to people newer to the sector, and employers often value attitude and reliability alongside training. Requirements are set by individual employers, and a funded course may help you show recent, relevant learning.

What courses relate to health and social care?

Course areas often linked to the sector include health and social care, mental health awareness and safeguarding. Providers confirm course availability, funding and eligibility, and the eligibility checker can help you see what you may be able to access.

← Job Market Guide

Health and social care jobs in demand

Health and social care is consistently one of the largest sources of vacancies in official ONS data, and Skills England has identified it as a priority sector for future skills needs. Demand is driven partly by an ageing population and ongoing recruitment pressure across care services.

This page shows what the latest official data says about the sector. It can help you explore whether a care-related course could be a practical next step. Demand varies by region, employer and time period, and no course can guarantee a job.

Check if you could get a funded course

Data updated 6 July 2026. Latest vacancy period: Mar-May 2026.

Quick answer

Is health and social care in demand right now?

In the latest official data (Mar-May 2026), health and social care recorded around 124,000 UK vacancies (−6.8% on a year ago). The sector shows around 2.7 vacancies per 100 employee jobs. Demand varies by region, employer and time period, and no course can guarantee a job.

Demand snapshot

What the latest vacancy data shows

Health and social care shows around 124,000 vacancies in the latest ONS period. Demand has eased over the past year but the sector remains one of the larger sources of vacancies.

UK vacancies

124,000

Mar-May 2026

Change on a year ago

−6.8%

Cooling but still large

Vacancy pressure

2.7

vacancies per 100 employee jobs

Recent trend

last 8 quarters, thousands

Source: Office for National Statistics, VACS02: Vacancies by industry (Mar-May 2026). Industry-level vacancy data does not identify exact job roles, and a vacancy count does not guarantee a job is available in your local area.

Regions

Where health and social care employs the most people

Regional figures show workforce jobs by sector: where the sector has a strong employment presence relative to the size of each region or nation. This is useful context, but it is not the same as live vacancies near you.

North East209k jobs, 16.9% of jobs there
Wales243k jobs, 16.6% of jobs there
Northern Ireland151k jobs, 15.6% of jobs there
West Midlands459k jobs, 15.3% of jobs there
Scotland426k jobs, 15.1% of jobs there
North West589k jobs, 14.8% of jobs there

Want to compare sectors in your region? Use the region and sector explorer on the Job Market Guide.

Source: Office for National Statistics, JOBS05: Workforce jobs by region and industry (Mar 2026). Regional workforce jobs are not the same as regional vacancies.

Future skills

Longer-term skills outlook

Identified by Skills England as a priority sector. An ageing population and ongoing recruitment pressure mean the sector is expected to need a large, skilled workforce for years to come.

Example job areas

Adult social care · Healthcare support · Mental health support · Care coordination

Skills employers often value

Person-centred care
Safeguarding
Communication
Digital record-keeping

Source: Skills England, Skills England Annual Skills Report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments 2026. Skills England notes these projections show broad trends, not precise forecasts, and being a priority sector does not guarantee a job or growth for any individual.

Take a step

Course areas that may help you build relevant skills

A course can help you build knowledge, confidence and evidence of recent learning. It cannot guarantee a job, and providers confirm course availability, funding and eligibility.

Course areas

Health and social care
Mental health awareness
Safeguarding
Customer service

Example jobs

Care worker · Support worker · Healthcare assistant · Care administrator

Who it may suit

May suit people who want practical, people-facing work
Often has roles open to people newer to the sector

Useful next steps

Funding and course availability depend on your circumstances and provider confirmation.

Interested in health and social care?

Check whether you may be able to access a funded course in a few minutes. Funding and course availability depend on your circumstances and provider confirmation, and a course cannot guarantee a job.

Check if you could get a funded course

FAQ

Common questions about jobs in demand

Transparency

Sources for this page

This page uses official statistics and cautious editorial mapping. Data describes patterns, not guarantees.

VACS02: Vacancies by industry (Office for National Statistics, Mar-May 2026): national vacancy levels and change.
JOBS05: Workforce jobs by region and industry (Office for National Statistics, Mar 2026): workforce jobs by region, not live vacancies.
Skills England Annual Skills Report and Sectoral Skills Needs Assessments 2026 (Skills England): longer-term priority sector context.

Data updated 6 July 2026. Latest vacancy period: Mar-May 2026. Full methodology, dataset details and a glossary are on the Job Market Guide. Learning Gateway is not a government body, college or training provider, does not provide regulated careers advice, and does not make final funding decisions.