A real, fundable route — each rung is a genuine step, not a leap.
England, 2026/27, full-time annual. Changes every April — always check the live figure before relying on it.
| Band | Typical role |
|---|---|
| 2 | Healthcare / care assistant |
| 3 | Senior HCA / support worker |
| 4 | Nursing Associate / Assistant Practitioner |
| 5 | Registered Nurse (newly qualified) |
| 6–7 | Senior / specialist nurse, ward manager, ANP |
| 8+ | Matron / advanced practice / lead nurse |
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run separate pay scales — the table above is England only.
DHSC & Skills for Care's official career structure for adult social care in England.
Rolling out in stages since Jan 2024 — check the live GOV.UK overview for the current full list.
Verified, currently-operating UK agencies placing nurses into NHS and private roles.
Genuine staffing agencies — not direct care providers — placing carers and support workers.
Specialist agencies placing registered nurses into medical sales, clinical education/training, field-based nurse advisor and MSL/medical affairs roles — not ward or agency nursing.
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