Science, Health & Care

This occupation is found in a range of maintained and private, voluntary, and independent settings such as full day care, children's centres, pre-schools, reception classes, playgroups, nursery schools, home based provision, hospitals, social care settings, out of school environments, and local authority provision.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide high quality early education and care to children. Through an evidence-based approach, they provide opportunities and learning experiences for all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Early years educators follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements set by government for the learning, development, and care of children from birth to 5 in both indoor and outdoor environments.

This occupation encompasses various private and public settings, such as day care, children’s centres, and hospitals, focusing on delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements for children from birth to five years. The role involves directly engaging with children to support planning and delivering activities, purposeful play, and educational programmes. An Early Years Practitioner (EYP) works as part of a professional team, ensuring children's welfare and care under the supervision of an Early Years Educator or qualified professional.

This occupation is found in a wide range of organisations, including but not exclusively, chemical, primary and secondary pharmaceutical, biotechnology, formulated products, nuclear companies; and analytical science services, dental laboratories and educational establishments.

The broad purpose of the occupation is working at the forefront of technology to carry out both routine and one-off laboratory testing (and manufacturing where relevant) and perform a variety of technical support functions across the organisation.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the laboratory manager and colleagues, internal departments such as manufacturing, procurement and quality, internal customers such as medical staff, teaching staff and students, external suppliers and customers such as service engineers, delivery drivers, regulatory bodies and inspection teams e.g. HSE.

This occupation is prevalent across all areas of the Further Education and Skills Sector (FES), primarily in settings for students aged 16 and above, though some teachers may work with 14- to 16-year-olds in alternative provisions. Most Further Education, Learning and Skills Teachers are employed in FE colleges (both general and specialist), independent training providers (ITPs), Adult Community Learning (ACL) providers, or offender learning settings, with a few serving as trainers in large organisations. Teaching encompasses a range of levels, typically up to Level 3, including academic, vocational, and technical education, with some teachers delivering subjects up to postgraduate level across various sectors. Many Learning and Skills Teachers are dual professionals, leveraging their technical, vocational, and academic expertise to enhance the learning experience. The broad purpose of this role is to ensure students acquire the knowledge, skills, and behaviours necessary for success. Learning and Skills Teachers achieve this by planning and delivering relevant, comprehensive, and challenging lessons that inspire student engagement and foster progression.

Oral Health Practitioners operate with a high degree of autonomy, performing a variety of preventive oral health procedures, such as applying fluoride varnish, taking impressions, and conducting tooth brushing with patients. This role fits within the dental career structure above a dental nurse but below a dental hygienist or dentist, complementing the work of other dental professionals.

In addition to their clinical responsibilities, Oral Health Practitioners provide oral health education and preventive interventions to various community groups, including schools, care homes, and ante-natal groups. They are also involved in general health screenings, assessing conditions such as diabetes and blood pressure alongside oral health assessments to offer holistic care.