Care Careers & Workforce Hub for East Sussex
Explore care careers, training and workforce opportunities across East Sussex, with practical guidance, local insights and clear pathways to help you build a future in care.
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Care Careers in East Sussex: Quick Answer
Adult social care offers career opportunities across East Sussex for people entering the sector for the first time, returning to work or developing an existing care career. Roles can begin in frontline care and support and develop through training, specialist practice, supervision, leadership, management and other areas of the care workforce.
CareStaff24 supports candidates across Eastbourne, Hastings and surrounding East Sussex communities with local opportunities, training and ongoing career support.
East Sussex Workforce Snapshot
What Does the Adult Social Care Workforce Look Like in East Sussex?
The adult social care sector is a significant local employer. The latest published Skills for Care local workforce estimates provide a useful picture of the size, experience and working patterns of the East Sussex care workforce.
17,000
Filled Care Posts
Estimated adult social care filled posts across East Sussex.
8,600
Care Workers
Estimated care worker roles within the local workforce.
41%
Usually Work Part-Time
Showing the importance of different working patterns across the sector.
9.3 yrs
Average Experience
Average time workers have spent in the adult social care sector.
Data note: Figures above are based on Skills for Care’s East Sussex adult social care workforce estimates for 2024/25. Published 2025. Figures are estimates and should be read alongside the source methodology.
Looking Ahead
East Sussex Will Need the Next Generation of Care Professionals
Skills for Care estimates that around 4,800 adult social care posts in East Sussex could reach retirement age within the next ten years, based on the age profile of the current workforce.
That does not mean 4,800 people will necessarily retire during that period, but it highlights why attracting, training and retaining new care professionals will remain important to the future local workforce.
Build a Career
Where Can a Career in Care Take You?
A first role in care does not have to define your entire career. Experience, training, qualifications and personal interests can open different pathways over time.
Start in Care
→
Build Experience
→
Develop Skills
→
Choose Your Path
💜
Frontline Care
Build experience supporting people directly and develop strong practical care skills.
⭐
Specialist Practice
Develop deeper knowledge around particular care needs, services or groups of people.
👥
Leadership
Experience may lead towards senior, supervisory, team leadership or management opportunities.
🎓
Training & Development
Experienced professionals may help develop, mentor and support other people entering care.
Who Can Start a Career in Care?
There is no single type of person who enters social care. People can join at very different stages of life, bringing skills and experiences from education, family life, previous employment and other industries.
Leaving School?
Care can provide an opportunity to start earning, learn practical skills and begin building a long-term career.
Returning to Work?
Skills developed through parenting, previous employment and everyday life can be valuable when returning to the workplace.
Changing Career?
Communication, organisation, reliability, teamwork and empathy are all transferable skills that can support a move into care.
Learn While You Develop
Training Is Part of Building a Care Career
People entering care need the appropriate knowledge and preparation for the work they will undertake. Training can also continue throughout a care career as responsibilities, services and professional interests change.
CareStaff24 supports candidates with training and can help identify training requirements relevant to their role.
Getting Ready to Work in Care
Starting a care role also means completing the appropriate recruitment and compliance checks. Preparing your documents early can make the application process easier.
✓ Proof of identity
✓ Right to work
✓ Employment history
✓ References
✓ DBS requirements
✓ Qualifications & training
Care Career Questions
Quick Answers About Working in Care
These are some of the questions people commonly ask when considering a career in adult social care.
Do I need previous experience to start working in care?
Not every entry-level care role requires previous professional care experience. Requirements depend on the position and employer, while training, recruitment checks and role-specific preparation may be required before you begin work.
Can care work become a long-term career?
Yes. Experience in frontline care can provide a foundation for further training and development. Depending on your interests and qualifications, career pathways can include specialist practice, senior care roles, supervision, leadership, management, training and other areas of adult social care.
Are there part-time opportunities in adult social care?
Yes. Skills for Care’s 2024/25 East Sussex workforce estimates show that 41% of the local adult social care workforce usually worked part-time hours. Individual vacancies and working arrangements will vary by employer and role.
How large is the adult social care workforce in East Sussex?
Skills for Care estimated approximately 17,000 filled adult social care posts across East Sussex in 2024/25, including around 8,600 care worker posts.
Can school leavers start a career in care?
Care can offer entry routes for young people leaving school or college. The appropriate route depends on the role and may include direct employment, training, qualifications or apprenticeship opportunities.
Where does CareStaff24 recruit?
CareStaff24 recruits healthcare and social care professionals for opportunities across Eastbourne, Hastings and surrounding areas of East Sussex.
Transparency & Sources
Where Does Our Workforce Information Come From?
CareStaff24 uses recognised sector sources alongside its own recruitment experience to help candidates understand the local care workforce.
External workforce data: Local statistics on this page are taken from Skills for Care’s adult social care workforce estimates. Skills for Care produces workforce intelligence using information from the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC-WDS) and statistical modelling to estimate the wider workforce.
Geographic focus: Unless otherwise stated, local workforce figures refer to the East Sussex local authority area rather than individual towns such as Eastbourne or Hastings.
CareStaff24 information: Statements specifically labelled as CareStaff24 data or insight relate to our own recruitment, training or placement activity and are kept separate from national and local sector estimates.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Your Next Step
Start or Develop Your Care Career in East Sussex
Whether you’re looking for your first opportunity in care, returning to the workforce or ready for your next role, explore current opportunities with CareStaff24.
Start Your Career in Care
With the essentials in place, your application can start moving forward. Our recruitment team will review your experience, availability and the type of work you are looking for, helping to match you with suitable opportunities while supporting you through each stage of joining CareStaff24.
Support Workers Healthcare WorkFrequently Asked Questions About Care Careers in East Sussex
Thinking about starting or developing a career in care? Here are answers to some of the most common questions about working in adult social care across East Sussex.
What career progression is available for care workers?
Career progression in social care does not follow one fixed route. A care worker might develop specialist knowledge, take on additional responsibilities, progress into senior or supervisory positions, move towards leadership or management, or use their experience within areas such as training, quality and workforce development. Progression depends on experience, qualifications, opportunities and individual career goals.
How can I find care jobs in Eastbourne, Hastings and East Sussex?
CareStaff24 recruits for healthcare and social care opportunities across Eastbourne, Hastings and surrounding areas of East Sussex. Candidates can explore current opportunities, speak with the recruitment team and find out about the training and compliance requirements for suitable roles.
Is adult social care a good long-term career?
Adult social care can provide a long-term career with opportunities to build experience, gain qualifications and develop specialist skills. Depending on your interests and experience, you may choose to remain in frontline care or explore pathways into senior care, specialist practice, supervision, leadership, management, training or other areas of the care workforce.
What qualifications do I need to start working in care?
The requirements depend on the care role and employer, and some entry-level opportunities may not require previous professional care experience. New care workers will normally complete appropriate induction, training and recruitment checks, with opportunities to develop further knowledge and qualifications as their career progresses.