UK Social Care Pay Rates Guide (2026/27)
Locum qualified social workers in the UK typically earn £32–£45 per hour, with children's safeguarding, MASH and team manager roles paying the most. Support and residential care roles usually pay £13–£18 per hour.
Updated October 2026 · 8 min read
Qualified social work
| Role | Level | Locum / temporary (per hour) | Permanent (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Worker (adults) | Qualified | £32–£40 | £34,000–£42,000 |
| Social Worker (children and families) | Qualified | £35–£45 | £36,000–£45,000 |
| Hospital Discharge / MASH Social Worker | Qualified | £34–£42 | £35,000–£43,000 |
| Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) | Qualified | £40–£50 | £42,000–£50,000 |
| Senior Practitioner | Senior | £38–£48 | £40,000–£48,000 |
| Independent Reviewing Officer / Child Protection Chair | Senior | £40–£50 | £42,000–£52,000 |
| Team Manager | Management | £45–£60 | £48,000–£60,000 |
Care and support
| Role | Level | Locum / temporary (per hour) | Permanent (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Worker / Care Assistant | Entry | £13–£16 | £24,000–£28,000 |
| Senior Carer / Senior Support Worker | Senior | £14–£18 | £26,000–£31,000 |
| Residential Children's Support Worker | Level 3 | £14–£19 | £26,000–£33,000 |
| Registered Care Manager | Management | £25–£35 | £40,000–£55,000 |
These are indicative UK market ranges for standard hours. Final pay depends on the employer, location, experience and engagement model. Your Actionus consultant confirms the exact rate before you start.
Registration and compliance
Qualified social workers need current registration with Social Work England, SSSC, Social Care Wales or NISCC, plus an enhanced DBS (PVG in Scotland, AccessNI in Northern Ireland) with the relevant barred list checks.
Local authority locum roles are usually engaged on PAYE or through an umbrella company because most are assessed as inside IR35.
Holiday pay and pensions
Hourly PAYE workers accrue 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year, usually calculated as 12.07% of hours worked. Rates may be quoted inclusive or exclusive of holiday pay; we always confirm which before you start.
Workers engaged on PAYE through an agency or umbrella company are auto-enrolled into a workplace pension once they earn over £10,000 a year and are aged 22 or over. You can opt out within one month of enrolment for a refund, and opt back in at any time.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a locum social worker earn in the UK?
- Typically £32–£45 per hour, rising to £45–£60 for team managers. Children's services and specialist roles pay the most.
- Are locum social work roles inside IR35?
- Most local authority assignments are assessed inside IR35, so pay runs through PAYE or an umbrella company. The client confirms the determination.
- Do support worker rates meet the National Living Wage?
- Yes. All rates in this guide exceed the £12.71 National Living Wage, before holiday pay.
- Do social care locums get a pension?
- Workers engaged on PAYE through an agency or umbrella company are auto-enrolled into a workplace pension once they earn over £10,000 a year and are aged 22 or over. You can opt out within one month of enrolment for a refund, and opt back in at any time.