Choosing Your Path: NHS or Social Care – What’s the Difference?

You might see the terms NHS and social care used interchangeably. While they are connected, they're two distinct fields of work with different responsibilities. Understanding the differences between the two is useful for anyone working or thinking of pursuing a career in those sectors. 

In this article, we'll clear up the misconceptions about where one ends and the other begins. Let's start by looking at each one in turn and then finding out where they differ and overlap. 

What Is the NHS? 

The NHS stands for National Health Service. It's a large organisation that includes several publicly-funded systems providing free or low–cost care for everyone. It focuses on health care. 

What Does It Do?

The NHS provides a range of health services. They include GP consultations, including prescribing medicines, treatment in hospital, emergency care and dental care. People who work for the NHS play a role in diagnosing patients, treating conditions and preventing ill health. 

When people are ill or injured or want to check or improve their health, then they can visit a GP surgery, clinic, hospital or dental surgery. Services could include operations, blood tests, x-rays and having medicines or therapies prescribed. 

Who Is Involved? 

These systems are made up of all types of roles. There are people in patient-facing positions, such as doctors, GPs, nurses and other medical professionals. There are also administrators, managers, directors and policy staff. 

Most people in these roles are hired directly by the NHS, which is a government organisation. While the Department of Health oversees policy and funding, service decisions are taken by the body in charge, for example, NHS England. 

What Is Social Care? 

Social care is largely non-clinical support - although there are clinical professionals working in this setting too. It covers services for children, young people and adults that need help with personal care. There isn't one organisation responsible for social care, which means people working in this sector have different employers and contracts. 

What Does It Do?

The emphasis of social care is its practical nature. It involves providing support to people who have an illness, disability or other factors that mean they require assistance. The aim of social care is to help to people to live as independently as possible. 

Tasks are focused on the activities of daily life. They could include helping people with personal hygiene, dressing and eating, attending appointments and providing companionship. There are several settings where care and support work occur, including in care homes, community centres and people's homes. 

Who Is Involved?

Roles in social care include front-facing jobs, such as Care Assistants and Support Workers. Some settings also offer opportunities for Nurses and Clinical Leads which require certain qualifications and experience. Supervisors, registered managers and administrators also play their parts. 

Although some care and support staff work alone, the role often requires teamwork. In many cases, people working in social care need to liaise with health care workers in the NHS. In these roles, you could be independent, work for a local council, a non-profit or a private organisation. There are also cases where funding could come from the NHS. 

The Main Differences Between These Services and How They're Connected

From the descriptions above, it will have become clear that the NHS concerns itself with matters of health. On the other hand, social care is about practical help with everyday tasks, including personal care. The tasks vary and they require different skills and qualifications. 

Social care usually includes some training, including first aid and courses in specific aspects of care, such as hygiene and supporting someone with dementia. Health professionals in the NHS need specific qualifications, and many roles require a university degree and specialist knowledge. 

While they are different, it's important to note that these two fields connect in multiple ways. As previously mentioned, funding for social care can come from the NHS and support teams may need to liaise with health care workers. 

While it's not always the case, many social care needs are identified following a person's interaction with the NHS. For example, if an NHS assessment identifies a health need, it could be met by someone in social care. That could include providing support at home especially in relation to aftercare following surgery or to prevent worsening of a health condition or disability. 

Part of social care is supporting people with the practical side of looking after their health. While one of the main focuses is personal hygiene, it can also mean helping them to attend appointments at NHS facilities or overseeing people taking their prescribed medication or even administering it. 

Two Fields Connected 

The NHS and social care both aim to improve and maintain people's wellbeing. In many ways, you can think of them as services that complement one another. One focuses on health through treatment while the other provides support in practical and personal ways. 

Before choosing one field over the other, remember that different skills and qualifications might be required depending on the role and route you take. A care and support job could lead to a role in the NHS, but there are many ways to progress with a fulfilling career in social care. In fact, many people move from the NHS to social care too.