Professional development and training in health and social care

If you want to work in health and social care, you need to keep your skills up to date through continuing professional development

Do I need to do postgraduate study?

Some jobs, such as pharmacist, clinical psychologist, doctor and dentist, require postgraduate qualifications.

You may also need to do further study if you don't have a relevant degree. For example. if you want to be a social worker but didn't study this at undergraduate level, then you will need to study for an MA in Social Work to become registered as a social worker in the UK.

For more information on entry requirements and career development in health and social care, see types of jobs.

To find relevant postgraduate courses in the UK, search health and social care courses and research.

Should I join a professional body?

For many health and social care roles, it is a requirement that you are registered with a professional body/council.

Each body has its own criteria for continuing professional development (CPD) that needs to be met in order to maintain registration with them and practise in the UK.

Some professional bodies recognise postgraduate qualifications as meeting the criteria for continuing professional development. For example, the General Chiropractic Council recognises three Masters in Chiropractic (MChrio) courses across the UK as meeting the criteria.

There is a professional body for the majority of occupations in the health and social care sector. These include:

• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)  - regulates 16 health and social care professions ranging from arts therapists to paramedics.
• General Dental Council (GDC)  - requires dentists to do 250 hours of CPD over a five year cycle, 75 of which must be verifiable i.e. have objectives and documentary proof.
• General Medical Council (GMC) - registers doctors to practise medicine in the UK and ensures that they keep their skills up to date.
• Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) - ensures that nurses and midwives keep their skills and knowledge up to date and uphold professional standards.
• General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)  - requires a record to be kept and a minimum of nine CPD entries per year.
• Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)  - expects registrants to complete 90 hours of study, training, courses, seminars, reading, teaching or other activities which could advance their professional development.
• Care Council for Wales - regulates the profession through registration.
• Scottish Social Services Council  - you must be studying for or hold a suitable social work qualification to register. For many social service workers it is compulsory to register.