Playworkers SOC 6117

Playworkers (SOC 6117) does not currently qualify for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. It is classified as medium skilled and would need to be added to the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage Occupation List before employers could sponsor for it. There are closely related roles that do qualify, listed further down.

What does a playworker do?

Playworkers deliver and facilitate play opportunities for children in a range of formal and informal settings including play schemes, free play locations, and in pre- and after-school activities.

Typical tasks

supervises children’s games and encourages the development of physical, social and language skills
provides play areas and prepares materials for a wide range of children’s activities
encourages children’s independence, self-confidence and social interaction
organises and supervises children on excursions
organises and supervises children’s activities in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, deals accordingly with injuries and emergencies
puts away equipment and cleans premises after use
liaises with parents, carers and colleagues and keeps appropriate records

Typical entry routes and qualifications

Entry may not depend upon academic qualifications, although some employers will expect candidates to possess or be working towards a relevant qualification. NVQs/SVQs in Child Care and Education are available at levels 2 and 3. A DBS check is mandatory.

Visa sponsorship requirements

SponsorshipNot eligible

Skill levelMedium Skilled (RQF Level 3+)

Visa issuanceSoon

What this means for you

SOC 6117 is classified as medium skilled but does not currently appear on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, so it's not currently eligible for new sponsorship.

If you're interested in this field, you have a few options:

Check the eligible alternative occupation codes listed below — some closely related roles do qualify.
Explore other visa routes that may not require employer sponsorship.
Search for roles under eligible SOC codes in a similar field.

Roles under SOC 6117

Playworkers

Frequently asked questions

Can playworkers get a UK Skilled Worker visa?

Not under SOC 6117. Playworkers is classified as Medium Skilled, which doesn't meet the requirements for Skilled Worker sponsorship right now. That said, some closely related occupation codes in the same field are eligible, so have a look at the related codes section on this page.

What job titles are covered by SOC 6117?

SOC 6117 covers a range of playworkers roles, including: Playworkers. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.

What are my visa options if I work as a playworkers?

SOC 6117 itself doesn't qualify, but that doesn't mean you're out of options. The most common workaround is finding a closely related role that falls under an eligible SOC code. We've listed any eligible alternatives further up this page. It's also worth looking into visa routes that aren't tied to a specific occupation, like the Global Talent visa, Graduate visa, or High Potential Individual visa.

This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.