3222 Child and early years officers

In short

• ONS unit group 3222, in minor group 322 (Welfare and housing associate professionals) and major group 3 (Associate professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £33,400 (£17.13 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £25,400 (£13.03 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Child and early years officers work with babies and with children up to 14 years of age (or 16 for those with special needs), providing support, help and advice to individuals or within a family context.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal qualification requirements for entry although many employers will expect those appointed to have A-levels and to be working towards a relevant diploma or degree, together with work experience in a relevant field. For some roles workers must be registered with the appropriate statutory body. Some jobs are regulated and require job holders to satisfy the criteria for registration (including holding appropriate qualifications). Background checks including a DBS check are mandatory.

Tasks

• deals with issues relating to poor attendance at school
• works with social worker to identify, plan and deliver appropriate support to families facing a variety of difficulties
• advises clients and their families on available resources
• writes up case notes, prepares reports, keeps up-to-date records on clients
• makes referrals to other agencies such as social services and educational psychologists
• attends meetings with colleagues and outside agencies

Related job titles

• Child protection officer
• Education welfare officer
• Family liaison officer
• Learning mentor (early years)
• Parent support adviser
• Portage worker (educational establishments)

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3222 Child and early years officers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Child protection officers
• Learning and behaviour mentors
• Welfare and attendance officers
• Child and early years officers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

3222 Child and early years officers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

3239

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Child protection officers
• Learning and behaviour mentors
• Welfare and attendance officers
• Child and early years officers not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£25,400 (£13.03 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 322

• 3221 Youth and community workers
• 3223 Housing officers
• 3224 Counsellors
• 3229 Welfare and housing associate professionals n.e.c.

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

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