NHSScotland works to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of 5.5 million people here in Scotland. We provide safe, effective and person-centred healthcare that respects the needs of everyone we care for.
Our workforce is key to delivering modern and sustainable health services. We have over 167,000 employees working across the health service, in more than 350 different careers.
The NHS is recruiting now and looking for people like you who can bring their strengths, skills, and experience to a career in the health service.
You can find out more about the history of NHSScotland on the Our NHSScotland website.
NHSScotland structure
There are 14 regional Health Boards that cover the whole of Scotland. They are supported by 8 national Boards that provide specialist and national services.
Learn more about the structure of the NHS in Scotland.
NHSScotland is a values-driven organisation. Recruitment into positions will not only be about how technically competent you are but also how well you align to the organisational values. Find out more about NHSScotland’s values on the NHSScotland careers website.
Early Years and Social Care in Scotland
Social care is personal and practical support for people to keep well, play a part in their community, and thrive.
It includes a wide range of support options for people of all ages to choose what is right for them. This includes: care at home, day services, outreach, crisis support, supported living and care homes as well as early years services like nurseries and out of school care services.
People who work in social care make a real difference to people’s lives by enabling them to live with independence, choice, and dignity. Social care and early years' provision roles also offer genuine pathways for significant career progression and development opportunities.
In Scotland there are over 12,000 registered care services and over 209,000 people (8% of the Scottish workforce) are working within social care. Most of these people are employed in child and adult care services in either the Private, Public or Voluntary sectors.
With such a large workforce, there are opportunities at every level for individuals who wish to continue to serve their community in a rewarding and valued role.
Service leavers and veterans have many transferable skills, and a wealth of valuable experience, to bring into the sector. For example, your military training and learning around biological decontamination would be useful baseline knowledge for aspects of infection, prevention, and control which is vital across all areas of health and social care work.
You do not need to gain a qualification before starting a productive role in the care sector. Once you have an employment offer and have started work, you will need to study for an appropriate qualification, but you can have up to 5 years, after registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), to achieve the minimum requirement.
There are many different qualification options, and your employer will support you to achieve the ones which are most appropriate for your role and level while you’re on the job. The SSSC has a wealth of useful careers and education information on its website. You can also find information on leadership and management pathways into care services.
This is an exciting time to be joining the social care sector in Scotland as work continues towards the development of a National Care Service.
The vision is to change the system from one that supports people to survive to one that empowers them to thrive, with human rights at the heart of everything they do.
If you want to make a difference to people’s lives and develop your transferrable skills and knowledge, a career in social care could be for you. Your fresh perspectives and previous experience in the services will be welcomed!
The Social care fact sheet (PDF) also shares some myths and misconceptions about Social Care.
Training modules in health and care
The NHSScotland Academy has produced training that will give you preparation for working within health and social care.
The preparation for Health and Social Care Programme has been designed to support new and existing staff to deliver safe, effective, person-centred care.