Last Updated: 06.10.2026
The 6134 job code covers houseparents and residential wardens under the UK Standard Occupational Classification system.
In 2026, SOC 6134 is classed as a Medium Skilled occupation, but this does not mean it is generally open to new Skilled Worker visa applicants.
Following immigration changes introduced on 22 July 2025, Medium Skilled jobs normally need to appear on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List for new Skilled Worker sponsorship. SOC 6134 currently appears on neither list.
Existing Skilled Workers who qualified before the rule change may still be able to use SOC 6134 under transitional arrangements.
What Does The 6134 Job Code Mean In The UK?
SOC code 6134 is officially titled Houseparents and residential wardens.
It is used to classify jobs where workers supervise, support or care for people living in residential settings.
These environments can include boarding schools, children’s residential homes, supported housing and other accommodation where residents require supervision or welfare support.
Jobs listed within SOC 6134 include:
- Foster Carers
- Residential Childcare Practitioners
- School Matrons And Houseparents
- Residential Housing Wardens
- Other Houseparent And Residential Warden Roles
The occupation code is important because UK employers use SOC codes when assigning Certificates of Sponsorship, while the Home Office uses them to determine the immigration rules applying to a particular job.
A job title alone does not automatically place a worker under 6134. The actual duties and responsibilities must genuinely match the occupation.
Is The 6134 Job Code Eligible For Skilled Worker Sponsorship In 2026?
For most new Skilled Worker applicants, SOC 6134 is not generally available for sponsorship in 2026.
This is because the occupation is classified as Medium Skilled.
Since 22 July 2025, a person applying for a new Skilled Worker visa in a Medium Skilled occupation normally needs the occupation to appear on either the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
SOC 6134 currently appears on neither.
This means simply finding an employer with a sponsor licence and earning a high enough salary does not make a new 6134 job eligible.
However, the position can be different for someone who was already granted permission as a Skilled Worker before 22 July 2025 and has continued to hold qualifying Skilled Worker permission.
| Applicant Situation | General 2026 Position |
| New Applicant From Overseas | Generally Not Eligible Under SOC 6134 |
| New Skilled Worker Applicant | Generally Not Eligible |
| New Applicant Switching From Another Route | Generally Not Eligible Under 6134 |
| Skilled Worker Before 22 July 2025 | Transitional Rules May Apply |
| Existing Skilled Worker Extending Permission | May Be Eligible If Transitional Requirements Are Met |
| Existing Skilled Worker Changing Employer | May Be Possible If Relevant Transitional Rules Are Met |
Applicants should therefore determine which set of immigration rules applies to them before relying on the occupation code.
What Changed For SOC 6134 After 22 July 2025?
The Skilled Worker system changed significantly on 22 July 2025.
Before the change, many occupations below graduate level could qualify for Skilled Worker sponsorship provided the applicant met the relevant salary, sponsorship and immigration requirements.
The general skill threshold was then increased to RQF Level 6.
Occupations assessed below this level became more restricted.
SOC 6134 falls into the Medium Skilled category and is associated with jobs at RQF Levels 3 to 5.
From 22 July 2025, new applicants in Medium Skilled occupations generally need their occupation to be included on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
6134 is not currently included on either.
The change therefore created an important distinction between new applicants and people who had already entered the Skilled Worker route before the new rules took effect.
This also explains why older articles, job adverts or visa guides may say that houseparents or residential wardens are eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship while newer information gives a different answer.
Who Can Still Use The 6134 Job Code Under Transitional Rules?
Transitional arrangements protect certain people who were already using the Skilled Worker route before the July 2025 changes.
A person may still be able to be sponsored in SOC 6134 where they were granted Skilled Worker permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025 and have continued to hold Skilled Worker permission.
This can potentially allow an eligible worker to extend their visa or continue employment in a Medium Skilled occupation even though that occupation is no longer generally open to new applicants.
The key points include:
- The Worker Must Have Qualified Under The Earlier Skilled Worker Rules
- The Relevant Permission Must Have Been Granted Before 22 July 2025
- Skilled Worker Permission Normally Needs To Have Remained Continuous
- The New Application Must Still Meet The Relevant Sponsorship Requirements
- The Appropriate Salary Rules Must Still Be Met
- The Job Must Continue To Match The Correct SOC Code
Transitional eligibility should not be confused with permanent exemption from future immigration rules. Existing workers still need to meet the requirements applying to their particular application.
What Jobs Fall Under SOC Code 6134?
SOC 6134 covers several residential welfare and supervision roles.
Houseparents
Houseparents commonly work in boarding schools and other residential education settings.
They may supervise pupils outside teaching hours, oversee accommodation, support student welfare, manage routines and respond to pastoral or safeguarding concerns.
Residential Wardens
Residential wardens normally oversee accommodation used by residents who may require additional support.
Their responsibilities can include monitoring safety, helping residents access services, dealing with emergencies and maintaining communication between residents and management.
School Matrons
School matrons usually work within boarding schools or residential educational establishments.
Their work can involve supporting pupils’ welfare, monitoring minor health concerns, assisting with medication procedures and maintaining communication with parents and school staff.
Residential Childcare Practitioners
Residential childcare practitioners work with children or young people living in residential care settings.
Their work may involve safeguarding, emotional support, behavioural support, daily routines, record keeping and helping young people develop independence.
Foster Carers
Foster carers are included among the example job titles associated with SOC 6134.
However, being listed within an occupation code does not automatically make foster caring suitable for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
Foster care arrangements are normally structured differently from conventional salaried employment and would also need to satisfy immigration sponsorship and salary requirements.
What Salary Applies To SOC 6134 In 2026?
The published standard going rate for SOC 6134 is £33,400 per year, based on a 37.5-hour working week.
The corresponding hourly rate is £17.13.
However, understanding the going rate is only part of determining Skilled Worker salary eligibility.
Standard Going Rate
For the relevant standard table, SOC 6134 has a going rate of:
| Salary Measure | 2026 Rate |
| Standard Going Rate | £33,400 Per Year |
| Standard Hourly Rate | £17.13 Per Hour |
The Skilled Worker route also normally has a general salary threshold.
The standard general Skilled Worker threshold is £41,700 per year in 2026.
Where the standard rules apply, a worker normally needs to meet the applicable general threshold and the occupation’s going rate.
However, paying a 6134 worker £41,700 does not automatically make a new application eligible.
The occupation must first qualify under the Skilled Worker skill and occupation rules.
Lower Going Rate For Eligible Transitional Cases
Some long-term Skilled Workers can fall under older salary arrangements.
For relevant applicants who qualify for the lower-rate tables, the published going rate for SOC 6134 can be £25,000 per year or £12.82 per hour.
These lower figures should not be treated as the standard minimum salary for every 6134 worker.
Eligibility depends on the worker’s immigration history and the salary option under which points are being claimed.
Workers who received their first Certificate of Sponsorship before 4 April 2024 and have continuously remained in the Skilled Worker route can have different salary provisions from newer applicants.
How Typical 6134 Salaries Compare With Visa Salary Requirements?
A common mistake is to assume that the normal salary offered by an employer and the salary required by immigration rules are the same.
They are not.
A houseparent, residential warden or childcare practitioner could receive a salary that is perfectly lawful and competitive within the UK labour market while still failing to meet the applicable Skilled Worker visa rules.
Applicants should therefore compare:
- The Salary Offered By The Employer
- The SOC 6134 Going Rate
- The Applicable Skilled Worker General Salary Threshold
- Any Transitional Salary Rules
- The Number Of Contracted Working Hours
Salary should always be considered together with occupation eligibility rather than in isolation.
Is SOC 6134 On The Immigration Salary List Or Temporary Shortage List?
SOC 6134 is not currently listed on either the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List.
This is particularly important because 6134 is a Medium Skilled occupation.
For most new applicants, Medium Skilled jobs need to be included on one of these lists to remain accessible through the Skilled Worker route.
The two lists serve different purposes.
The Immigration Salary List contains certain occupations where special Skilled Worker provisions apply.
The Temporary Shortage List was introduced to allow specified Medium Skilled occupations to remain accessible despite the higher Skilled Worker skill threshold.
Because 6134 appears on neither list, new Skilled Worker sponsorship is generally unavailable under this occupation code.
Existing workers protected by transitional rules can have a different position.
Does A Sponsor Licence Mean An Employer Can Sponsor A 6134 Worker?
No. An employer holding a UK sponsor licence does not mean every job offered by that employer can be sponsored.
The employer must still be sponsoring a job that satisfies the Skilled Worker rules.
For a successful application, factors can include:
- The Employer Holding The Correct Sponsor Licence
- The Vacancy Being Genuine
- The Occupation Being Eligible For The Applicant
- The Correct SOC Code Being Used
- The Salary Meeting The Applicable Requirements
- A Valid Certificate Of Sponsorship Being Issued
- The Applicant Meeting Immigration Requirements
This distinction is particularly important when searching online job boards.
A company may hold a sponsor licence because it sponsors workers in eligible professional or management roles while its residential warden vacancies are not eligible for new sponsorship.
Job seekers should therefore check the eligibility of the specific vacancy rather than relying only on the employer’s sponsor status.
How Does UKVI Decide Whether A Job Really Falls Under SOC 6134?
The correct occupation code should reflect what the worker actually does.
UKVI can consider more than the job title when deciding whether the SOC code assigned by the sponsor is appropriate.
Relevant factors can include:
- The Main Job Duties
- The Level Of Responsibility
- The Skills Required
- The Job Description
- The Salary
- The Employer’s Business Activities
- The Working Environment
- Whether Another Occupation Code Better Describes The Role
For example, two workers could both use the title “support worker” while carrying out very different jobs.
One may perform duties that fall within residential care. Another may perform professional welfare, housing or healthcare duties that fit a different SOC code.
Employers should not select SOC 6134 simply because its title appears similar to the vacancy.
Equally, an employer should not change a SOC code purely to overcome visa restrictions when the actual duties remain those of a 6134 role.
What Is The Difference Between SOC 6134, 6135 And 6136?
The three codes are related to care and support work but cover different occupational groups.
| SOC Code | Occupation | Skill Classification | General Sponsorship Position In 2026 |
| 6134 | Houseparents And Residential Wardens | Medium Skilled | Generally Restricted To Transitional Cases |
| 6135 | Care Workers And Home Carers | Medium Skilled With Additional Conditions | Restricted Sponsorship Rules Apply |
| 6136 | Senior Care Workers | Medium Skilled With Additional Conditions | Restricted Sponsorship Rules Apply |
SOC 6134
This code focuses on houseparents, residential childcare practitioners, school matrons and residential wardens.
It is not currently on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
SOC 6135
This code includes community support workers, home care workers and residential care workers.
Care worker sponsorship is subject to separate restrictions. In England, the sponsor must normally be registered with the Care Quality Commission and carrying on a regulated activity.
New overseas recruitment under care worker codes has also been restricted, although certain people already legally working in the UK can still qualify under specified rules.
SOC 6136
This code covers senior community support workers, senior home care workers and senior residential care workers.
It is also subject to additional care worker sponsorship requirements.
The important point is that applicants cannot choose between 6134, 6135 and 6136 according to which one gives the best visa outcome.
The correct code must match the actual job.
Did The Old SOC 6144 Code Change To 6134?
SOC classifications were updated when the UK moved from the SOC 2010 system to SOC 2020.
For houseparents and residential wardens, the current SOC 2020 code is 6134.
The previous SOC 2010 code commonly associated with these roles was 6144.
Someone looking at an older Certificate of Sponsorship, visa document or immigration guide may therefore encounter 6144 instead of 6134.
However, the transition between SOC classifications is not always a simple one-to-one code replacement.
Some occupations that previously appeared within broader SOC 2010 groups were redistributed between new SOC 2020 codes.
The worker’s actual duties should therefore be checked when determining the correct modern classification.
Can SOC 6134 Skilled Workers Bring Dependants In 2026?
Dependant rules for Medium Skilled workers became more restrictive following the July 2025 immigration changes.
A 6134 worker who has been continuously employed in the UK on the Skilled Worker route in a Medium Skilled occupation since before 22 July 2025 may still be able to have an eligible partner or children apply as dependants.
For Medium Skilled workers who do not fall within the transitional arrangements, bringing new dependants is generally restricted.
There are also limited exceptions relating to children in particular circumstances, including some children born in the UK.
The dependant rules therefore depend heavily on when the main worker entered the Skilled Worker route and whether their qualifying immigration status has remained continuous.
Existing 6134 workers planning an extension or family application should check the dependant rules separately rather than assuming that visa extension eligibility automatically gives family members the same rights.
What Qualifications And Skills Are Needed For 6134 Jobs?
There is no single qualification that automatically applies to every job under SOC 6134.
Requirements depend on the employer, setting and responsibilities.
Residential childcare roles may require or expect qualifications related to residential childcare, health and social care or safeguarding.
Boarding schools may prioritise pastoral experience and experience working with young people.
Common requirements can include:
- Residential Childcare Or Social Care Qualifications
- Safeguarding Training
- First Aid Training
- Experience Working With Children Or Vulnerable People
- Strong Communication Skills
- Record-Keeping Ability
- Emotional Resilience
- Conflict Management Skills
- Ability To Work Nights Or Weekends
- Enhanced DBS Checks Where Required
Visa applicants should also separate employer qualification requirements from immigration requirements.
A candidate can be highly qualified for a job but still be unable to obtain Skilled Worker sponsorship if the occupation itself is not open to their type of application.
For first-time Skilled Worker applicants under the rules applying from 8 January 2026, the English language requirement is generally B2 across reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Certain existing Skilled Workers who originally qualified under the previous B1 requirement can continue to be assessed under the applicable transitional English rules when extending or updating their visa.
What Are The Main Duties Of Workers Under SOC 6134?
Duties vary according to whether the worker is employed in a school, children’s home or residential housing environment.
Typical responsibilities can include:
- Supervising Residents And Daily Routines
- Supporting Residents’ Welfare And Wellbeing
- Responding To Safeguarding Concerns
- Helping Maintain A Safe Residential Environment
- Providing Emotional And Practical Support
- Managing Behaviour And Household Rules
- Recording Incidents And Welfare Concerns
- Completing Shift Handovers
- Supporting Residents To Develop Independence
- Communicating With Families And Professionals
- Responding To Emergencies
- Working Evening, Night Or Weekend Shifts
The exact duties are important for immigration purposes because they help establish whether 6134 is genuinely the correct occupation code.
What Should You Do If Your Job Is Classified Under SOC 6134?
Someone offered a 6134 job in 2026 should check their position before assuming sponsorship is available.
Check Whether Transitional Rules Apply
Existing Skilled Workers should establish when they first received Skilled Worker permission and whether they have maintained continuous qualifying permission.
A worker protected by the pre-22 July 2025 rules may have options that are unavailable to a new applicant.
Confirm The Correct SOC Code With The Employer
Ask which SOC code the employer intends to use on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
The code should reflect the duties of the actual vacancy rather than simply the job title.
Compare Your Duties With Similar Occupation Codes
Some jobs can appear similar across residential care, housing support, childcare and social care.
If another code genuinely reflects the work more accurately, that code should be considered.
It should not be used simply because it has more favourable immigration rules.
Check Current Sponsorship Eligibility
Immigration occupation lists can change.
Applicants should confirm whether the occupation is eligible under the rules applying on the date of application.
Verify Salary Requirements
Check both the applicable general Skilled Worker salary requirement and the going rate for the occupation.
Meeting only one figure may not be enough.
Avoid Incorrect SOC Code Changes Made Only For Visa Purposes
An employer should not redesignate a job under another occupation code while leaving the actual duties unchanged purely to secure sponsorship.
The Home Office can investigate whether the occupation code accurately represents the vacancy.
Using an incorrect code can put both the worker and sponsor at risk.
6134 Job Code Eligibility Checklist For 2026
Before accepting a job or relying on sponsorship under SOC 6134, check the following:
- Is The Job Genuinely A Houseparent Or Residential Warden Role?
- Do The Duties Match SOC 6134?
- Is The Applicant A New Skilled Worker Or An Existing Skilled Worker?
- Was Skilled Worker Permission Granted Before 22 July 2025?
- Has Skilled Worker Permission Remained Continuous?
- Does The Employer Hold A Valid Sponsor Licence?
- Can The Employer Sponsor This Specific Vacancy?
- Does The Salary Meet The Applicable General Threshold?
- Does The Salary Meet The Relevant Going Rate?
- Is The Certificate Of Sponsorship Correct?
- Does The Applicant Meet The English Requirement?
- Are DBS Or Criminal Record Checks Required?
- Are Dependant Restrictions Relevant?
Answering these questions provides a much clearer picture than simply checking whether the number 6134 appears on an occupation list.
Conclusion
SOC 6134 covers houseparents and residential wardens, including residential childcare practitioners, school matrons and residential housing wardens.
The most important change for 2026 is that the occupation is classified as Medium Skilled and is not currently included on either the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
As a result, SOC 6134 is generally not open to new Skilled Worker applicants, even when an employer holds a sponsor licence or the offered salary appears high enough.
Existing Skilled Workers can have a different position. Those who qualified before 22 July 2025 and maintained continuous Skilled Worker permission may still benefit from transitional arrangements.
Anyone considering a 6134 position should therefore check the job duties, immigration history, salary rules and sponsorship eligibility together rather than relying on the occupation code alone.
FAQs About The 6134 Job Code
Is SOC 6134 Eligible For A Skilled Worker Visa In 2026?
SOC 6134 is generally not available for new Skilled Worker applications in 2026. Transitional rules may still apply to certain existing Skilled Workers.
Can New Overseas Applicants Get Sponsorship Under SOC 6134?
Generally, no. SOC 6134 is Medium Skilled and is not currently included on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
Can Existing Skilled Workers Continue Under SOC 6134?
Yes, some workers granted Skilled Worker permission before 22 July 2025 may continue under transitional rules if they meet the relevant conditions.
What Is The Going Rate For SOC 6134 In 2026?
The standard going rate is £33,400 per year or £17.13 per hour based on a 37.5-hour working week.
What Jobs Are Included Under SOC 6134?
SOC 6134 includes houseparents, residential wardens, school matrons, residential childcare practitioners and certain similar residential support roles.
Is SOC 6134 On The Temporary Shortage List?
No. SOC 6134 is not currently included on either the Temporary Shortage List or the Immigration Salary List.
Can A Sponsor Licence Holder Sponsor A 6134 Worker?
Not automatically. The specific job and applicant must meet the Skilled Worker rules, including occupation eligibility, salary and sponsorship requirements.
