jobfacts

Child and early years officers

SOC 2020 3222

Child and early years officers work with babies and with children up to 14 years of age (or 16 for those with special needs), providing support, help and advice to individuals or within a family context.

Also calledChild protection officerSafeguarding officerEducation welfare officerSchool welfare officerSchool attendance officerPastoral care workerand 46 more titles
Typical full-time pay£31,0002025 Provisional
People in the job61,000across the UK
Demand for workersElevated
New adverts a month1,500↑ 3.4%on last year · 125th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025

Half of full-time child and early years officers earn between £26,200 and £35,700 a year.

What full-time child and early years officers earn, 2025
£31,000 typical£21,500lowest 10%£26,20025%£37,900top 20%n/ptop 10%
Middle half (£26,200–£35,700)n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less than£21,500
Lowest 20% earn less than£25,600
25%£26,200
Median£31,000
75%£35,700
Top 20% earn more than£37,900
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Typical pay by regionUK median £31,000
London!£38,600
North West!£35,400
Scotland£31,500
West Midlands!£31,000
South West!£30,600
Yorkshire and The Humber!£30,300
East of England!£29,600
South East£28,900
North East!£28,700
Wales!£26,200
East Midlands!£26,200
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £31,000
London£38,600 (small sample)
North West£35,400 (small sample)
Scotland£31,500
West Midlands£31,000 (small sample)
South West£30,600 (small sample)
Yorkshire and The Humber£30,300 (small sample)
East of England£29,600 (small sample)
South East£28,900
North East£28,700 (small sample)
Wales£26,200 (small sample)
East Midlands£26,200 (small sample)
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £28,200
  • 2024 £28,700
  • 2025 Provisional£31,000
↑ 9.8% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 1,500 jobs for child and early years officers are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as elevated.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (2 in all)
Show as table
Aug 20261,274
Jul 20261,482
Jun 2026Not published
May 20261,559
Apr 20261,576
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 20261,743
Jan 20261,651
Dec 20251,262
Nov 20251,677
Oct 20251,502
Sept 20251,638
Aug 20251,271
Jul 20251,551
Jun 20251,835
May 20251,720
Apr 20251,338
Mar 20251,567
Feb 20251,504
Jan 20251,505
Dec 20241,155
Nov 20241,442
Oct 20241,598
Sept 20241,779
Aug 20241,265
Jul 20241,785
Jun 20241,891
May 20241,853
Apr 20241,650
Mar 20241,673
Feb 20241,638
Jan 20242,044
Dec 20231,749
Nov 20231,663
Oct 20231,558
Sept 20231,600
Aug 20231,593
Jul 20231,835
Jun 20232,439
May 20232,171
Apr 20231,657
Mar 20232,271
Feb 20232,028
Jan 20232,174
Dec 20221,768
Nov 20222,492
Oct 20222,366
Sept 20222,301
Aug 20221,807
Jul 20222,314
Jun 20222,359
May 20222,448
Apr 20221,728
Mar 20222,095
Feb 20221,800
Jan 20222,151
Dec 20211,623
Nov 20212,023
Oct 20212,045
Sept 20211,914
Aug 20211,437
Jul 20211,860
Jun 20211,844
May 20211,681
Apr 20211,293
Mar 20211,680
Feb 20211,349
Jan 20211,248
Dec 20201,197
Nov 20201,416
Oct 20201,670
Sept 20201,464
Aug 20201,316
Jul 20201,501
Jun 20201,519
May 20201,293
Apr 20201,104
Mar 20201,297
Feb 20201,545
Jan 20201,637
Dec 2019964
Nov 20191,475
Oct 20191,412
Sept 20191,249
Aug 20191,189
Jul 20191,468
Jun 20191,766
May 20191,564
Apr 2019889
Mar 20191,113
Feb 20191,012
Jan 20191,121
Dec 2018737
Nov 20181,252
Oct 20181,178
Sept 20181,022
Aug 2018853
Jul 20181,040
Jun 20181,160
May 20181,020
Apr 20181,023
Mar 20181,058
Feb 2018900
Jan 20181,057
Dec 2017726
Nov 2017919
Oct 2017853
Sept 2017832
Aug 2017807
Jul 2017819
Jun 20171,127
May 20171,061
Apr 2017860
Mar 2017986
Feb 2017775
Jan 2017961
Is there a shortage of child and early years officers?
Elevated

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment.

  • Visas grantedUsual
  • Online job advertsAbove usual
  • Wage growthWell above usual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedUsual
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
36%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for welfare and housing associate professionals, which includes child and early years officers. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London715
Birmingham106
Manchester76
Leeds57
Bradford53
West Northamptonshire50
Wakefield47
Somerset46
West Lothian45
Bristol, City of44
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where child and early years officers are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. Fewer than 10 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of child and early years officers
n/p
14%!
30%!
30%!
23%!
3.6%!
!Small sample: treat with cautionn/p: too few in the survey to publish
Show as table
16–24Not published
25–3414% (small sample)
35–4430% (small sample)
45–5430% (small sample)
55–6423% (small sample)
65+3.6% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent50%
Higher education below degree!14%
A levels or equivalent23%
GCSEs or equivalent!11%
Other qualifications!2.2%
No qualifications–
Not published
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent50%
Higher education below degree14% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent23%
GCSEs or equivalent11% (small sample)
Other qualifications2.2% (small sample)
No qualificationsNot published

Main employers: general secondary education (28%), primary education (21%), other social work activities without accommodation nec (14%), regulation of the activities of providing health care, education, cultural services and other social services, excluding social security (5.5%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
50%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
1
from level 4
Apprenticeships take
1 year
typically

Routes in

Child protection officer

You can get into this job through:

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Safeguarding Support Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with an organisation, then move into child protection work after further training.

This takes up to 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You could do professional development training with your employer to move into child protection work.

For example, you may be a police officer and complete a course before moving to a child protection unit in your area.

Volunteering

Experience of working with vulnerable children is essential.

You can get experience by volunteering. You can get information on volunteering opportunities from:

  • NSPCC
  • The Children's Society
  • Do IT
Apply directly

You can apply directly for jobs if you're a qualified professional.

Employers often look for social workers but other roles that involve child protection include:

  • youth worker
  • teacher
  • police officer
  • family support worker
  • probation officer

You'll need several years of experience working with children, young people, their parents and carers. Management experience will also be helpful.

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

You'll usually need a driving licence.

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Association of Child Protection Professionals for career development opportunities and to meet others doing this job.

Further information

You can find out more about working in child protection from NSPCC Learning.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for child protection officer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Education welfare officer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a degree in:

  • social work
  • youthwork
  • psychology
  • education
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could take a college course before applying for a trainee position. Courses include:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice
  • Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an Early Intervention Practitioner Level 4 or Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

You'll normally have to be working with children or young people to apply for these.

They take between 18 and 24 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You may be able to work as an assistant welfare officer with a local authority and do training on the job to qualify. For this you'll usually need:

  • experience working with children or young people
  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent
Volunteering

You can get experience of working with children, families and young people, which may help when you apply for jobs. Examples include volunteering in schools, mentoring and youth work.

You can look for opportunities through organisations like:

  • Volunteering Matters
  • Do IT
  • The NCVO
Apply directly

You can apply directly to become an education welfare officer if you've got relevant experience and qualifications.

Employers usually look for people who have a background in:

  • social work
  • teaching
  • counselling
  • youth and community work

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks
  • have a full driving licence

Registration and professional bodies

Further information

You'll find more details about working in education welfare through the education welfare service of your local council.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for education welfare officer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Pastoral care worker

You can get into this job through:

Work your way up

You may be able to start as a teaching assistant, learning mentor or volunteer in an educational setting and take on pastoral responsibilities as you gain experience. You could then apply for pastoral jobs as they become available.

Volunteering

You can get experience of working with children, families and young people, which will help when you apply for jobs. Examples include volunteering in schools, mentoring and youth work.

You can look for opportunities through organisations like:

  • Volunteering Matters
  • Do It
  • NCVO

Apply directly

You can apply directly for jobs if you have experience of working with children and young people, for example in:

  • youth work
  • learning support
  • counselling
  • advice work
  • mental health support
  • special educational needs
  • social care

Employers will expect you to have some GCSEs, or equivalent qualifications, including English and maths.

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

Pastoral care workers are normally employed term-time only. A working week can vary from a few hours up to full time.

Advertised pay rates are often listed as full-time equivalent (FTE) or pro rata. Actual pay will depend on the number of hours you work.

Further information

You can find job opportunities with your local council and Teaching Vacancies.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for pastoral care worker. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Portage home visitor

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in early childhood studies or child development.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could learn some of the skills you need for this job through a college course like:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Special Educational Needs and Disability
  • Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care
  • T Level in Education and Early Years
Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could do an Early Years Educator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in a school or nursery before moving into Portage work.

This can take around 1 year and 6 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Other ways in

Volunteering

Some local authorities may offer opportunities to be a volunteer Portage worker. Experience of supporting children with special needs can be helpful, even if you do not have childcare qualifications.

You can find opportunities through your local council and the National Portage Association.

Apply directly

You could apply directly to employers if you've got experience of working with children aged 0 to 4 years, and knowledge of early childhood development and special needs.

You may also need one of the following:

  • a relevant professional qualification in teaching, social work or nursing
  • a level 2 or 3 early years qualification
  • a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in early childhood studies

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks

In some local authorities you may need to be able to drive and have access to a vehicle.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

You could do a Portage Workshop led by a National Portage Association accredited trainer. This might be a good way for you to find out more about the role and get an insight into the skills and training you may need.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the National Portage Association for training and networking opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a Portage home visitor from the National Portage Association.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for portage home visitor. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

1 for this job

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • deals with issues relating to poor attendance at school
  • works with social worker to identify, plan and deliver appropriate support to families facing a variety of difficulties
  • advises clients and their families on available resources
  • writes up case notes, prepares reports, keeps up-to-date records on clients
  • makes referrals to other agencies such as social services and educational psychologists
  • attends meetings with colleagues and outside agencies

Skills

  • listen actively
  • contribute to protecting individuals from harm
  • advocate for social service users
  • apply person-centred care
  • apply quality standards in social services
  • assess social service users' situation
  • maintain records of work with service users
  • manage social crisis
  • protect vulnerable social service users
  • relate empathetically
  • accept own accountability
  • adhere to organisational guidelines
  • apply holistic approach within social services
  • apply organisational techniques

Knowledge

  • legal requirements in the social sector
  • company policies
  • crisis intervention
  • family law

Suits people who like

  • Helping and caring for people
  • Organising and following procedures

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for health and social care associate professionals, a group of 13 jobs that includes child and early years officers.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 12%about 82,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 2035492,000including people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.