Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a child or early years officer?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a child or early years officer (SOC 3222). It is only open to people who already had a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 and have kept it without a break.
What you need
You must have:
- a job offer from a UK employer that's allowed to sponsor visas (check the sponsor list)
- a "certificate of sponsorship" from that employer: a reference number with details of your job
- English at level B2: you can usually prove it with an approved test or a degree taught in English (ways to prove it)
- £1,270 in savings, unless your employer covers your first month or you've been in the UK for 12 months or more
- a criminal record certificate, if you're applying from outside the UK
Based on the UK Immigration Rules and the Skilled Worker visa guide on GOV.UK. This is a summary, not advice about your own situation.
The rules in detail
SOC 2020 code 3222 (Child and early years officers) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). It is listed in Table 1a of Appendix Skilled OccupationsT1a · 29 Oct 26: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List.
Source: Appendix Skilled Occupations and eligible occupations and codes, GOV.UK.| Occupation | Child and early years officers |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker eligibility | Medium Skilled |
| Going rate | £33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour)T1a |
| Appendix table(s) | Table 1a, Table 2aa |
| Immigration Salary List | No |
| Temporary Shortage List | No |
| Eligible for PhD points | No |
| Equivalent SOC 2010 code(s) | 3239 |
| SOC 2020 group | 32 Health and social care associate professionals › 322 Welfare and housing associate professionals |
Going rates for 3222 in Appendix Skilled Occupations
A code can appear in more than one table. Each table applies to different applicants. Rates are per year for a 37.5-hour week and must be pro-rated for other hours.
| Table and who it applies to | Going rate | 90% | 80% | 70% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table 1aOnly for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List. | £33,400 £17.13/hr | n/a | n/a | £33,400 £17.13/hr |
| Table 2aaFor applicants using options F–J who were granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 and have held it continuously, unless option I (Immigration Salary List) or the Temporary Shortage List applies. Not eligible for Global Business Mobility or Scale-up. | £25,400 £13.03/hr | n/a | n/a | £25,000 £12.82/hr |
Salary thresholds that apply to 3222
Under Appendix Skilled Worker, the salary must equal or exceed both the general threshold and the going-rate figure for the points option used. This table puts the two figures side by side for each option. It does not say which option applies to any person. See salary thresholds for the conditions on each option.
| Option | Condition | General threshold | Going-rate figure | Higher of the two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Standard | £41,700 | £33,400 (100%) | £41,700 |
| B | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £37,500 | Not applicable | – |
| C | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £33,400 | Not applicable | – |
| D | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) | £33,400 | Not applicable | – |
| E | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career | £33,400 | £33,400 (70%) | £33,400 |
| Option | Condition | General threshold | Going-rate figure | Higher of the two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Standard | £31,300 | £25,400 (100%) | £31,300 |
| G | The applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job | £28,200 | Not applicable | – |
| H | The applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | £25,000 | Not applicable | – |
| I | The applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List (this code is not on the list) | £25,000 | Not applicable | – |
| J | The applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career | £25,000 | £25,000 (70%) | £25,000 |
Job titles under SOC 3222
GOV.UK lists these related job titles:
- Child protection officers
- Learning and behaviour mentors
- Welfare and attendance officers
- Child and early years officers not elsewhere classified
More job titles from the ONS SOC 2020 index (6)
- Child protection officer
- Education welfare officer
- Family liaison officer
- Learning mentor (early years)
- Parent support adviser
- Portage worker (educational establishments)
What the job involves
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 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
Typical entry routes and qualifications
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.
Description: ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1.
Questions about SOC 3222
Can you get a Skilled Worker visa as a child or early years officer?
Usually no. New applicants cannot get a UK Skilled Worker visa as a child or early years officer (SOC 3222). It is only open to people who already had a Skilled Worker visa before 22 July 2025 and have kept it without a break. SOC 2020 code 3222 (Child and early years officers) is Medium Skilled (RQF level 3–5). It is listed in Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations: only for people granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules before 22 July 2025 who have held it continuously since, unless the job is on the Immigration Salary List (option D) or the Temporary Shortage List.
What is SOC code 3222?
3222 is the SOC 2020 code for Child and early years officers. 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.
What is the going rate for SOC code 3222?
Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations gives a going rate of £33,400 a year (£17.13 an hour) for 3222, based on a 37.5-hour week. It must be pro-rated for other working hours.
What job titles use SOC code 3222?
GOV.UK lists: Child protection officers, Learning and behaviour mentors, Welfare and attendance officers, Child and early years officers not elsewhere classified.
Sources
- Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes (GOV.UK, updated 29 April 2026)
- Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations (GOV.UK, updated 29 October 2026)
- Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker (GOV.UK, updated 29 October 2026)
- ONS SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups
Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice. Report an error on this page.