129 care employers in Sunderland could find you

Working in care in Sunderland

Sunderland, Washington and the Coalfield: three places to care

Sunderland is a city, but its council area also covers Washington new town to the west and the old Coalfield towns around Houghton le Spring and Hetton to the south. Almost everyone lives in built-up areas, around 99% according to the CQC, across about 53 square miles. Care homes are the largest group of care employers here, followed by home care agencies and then nursing homes. Outside the city centre, Houghton le Spring has the most care employers and Washington follows.

The population is older than England's and getting older. About one resident in five was 65 or over at the 2021 census, and the council expects that to reach 24% by 2031, with the over 80s rising too. At the same time the city lost working age residents: the number aged 35 to 49 fell by around 8,400 over the decade, so experienced carers are in demand.

Sunderland City Council's direct payments let people choose their own personal assistants, and its guidance gives examples of why: the same people every time, someone who speaks the same language, someone with experience of their needs, or a person recommended to them. The council also helps PA employers with payroll and employment issues, so the people taking you on are not left on their own.

Sunderland Royal Hospital, run by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, is the main hospital. Sunderland College runs adult courses including Level 3 Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care, Access to HE diplomas in health and nursing, and a Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care Practice. The Metro links the city centre to South Shields and Newcastle, though Washington and the Coalfield are bus or car country for now.

97% of the inspected care employers in Sunderland are rated Good or Outstanding by the CQC, above the 93% across the North East and above England as a whole (85%).