Career pathway
Associate
Associate roles typically involve having a caseload and delivering care or support. For example, health practitioners and nursery educators. Or you may work in children's social care as a practitioner.
Associate roles require a higher level of autonomy and most involve a level of independent and team working.
You will work under the guidance and oversight of experienced colleagues or registered staff.
You might deliver services in:
- The community
- Nurseries
- Hospitals
- Family homes
- Offices - eg telephone support services
Many associate roles are suitable for transitioning between because of the core skills they share. For example, many health practitioners join from working in a nursery. This is because they have the knowledge of child development and experience communicating with parents. Equally you may join children's social care from the health visiting service or a nursery setting.
What you'll need
You do not need to be a registered health professional.
You'll usually need a minimum of a level 3 qualification in a relevant subject. For example, early years or health and social care. These courses are typically certificates/diplomas or NVQ's achieved through further education. You can gain level 3 qualifications locally at:
You might need a level 4 (foundation degree) for some roles.
Employers in health also look for a completed Care Certificate and/or Higher Development award. You might be able to complete these on the job.
Some associate level roles might be specific to a specialism if you have an interest. For example, mental health or additional needs. Some of these roles might require you to have knowledge and proven studies in that specialism.
You'll also need a solid knowledge base of supporting children and young people. For example, the foundations of child development.
Even if you don't quite meet the requirements for a role, it is always worth applying and evidencing your willingness to work towards them. If you have started an academic course but not finished it yet, employers might still offer you the position on the basis you pass the course.
See the core skills you need to work with children
Types of roles
- Assistant practitioner
- Nursing associate
- Senior/enhanced support worker and senior clinical support worker. These are support workers with additional responsibilities. For example, overseeing junior support workers.
- Health play specialist
- Children's care careers with Norfolk County Council
- Speech and language therapy assistant practitioner
- Early years teacher (level 3). See our webpage on early years and childcare careers.
- Early help family practitioner - providing interventions and support to families under the guidance of senior staff
- Family service coordinators in the voluntary sector - coordinating community support and activities for families and overseeing volunteer staff
- Early childhood and family service (ECFS) support worker - delivering interventions like group and one-to-one courses to improve outcomes for children
- Just One deputy admin lead - contributing to the management of admin functions of the Just One service
