Youth and community workers represented in census data

FOI reference: FOI-2026-3553

You asked

I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I would be grateful if you could provide census data relating to the following Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes:

• Youth and community workers (SOC20: 3221; SOC10: 3231)  

Specifically, I am requesting the following for each of the SOC codes listed above, drawn from both the 2021 Census and the 2011 Census:

• The number of individuals employed in each occupation (by SOC code)
• Any associated percentage breakdowns where available

I would like this data provided at the following geographic levels:

• National (England and Wales)
• Regional (e.g. ONS regions)
• Local Authority
• Travel to Work Area (TTWA)

If this is not held, please confirm the lowest level of geographic disaggregation available for these data.  

If any of the requested data is not held centrally or cannot be provided in full, I would be grateful if you could advise which elements are available and suggest any alternative datasets or publications that may be of assistance.

We said

Thank you for your request.

Census occupation data at the 4-digit Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code level is not available through our standard outputs or our Create a custom dataset tool. This level of detail can only be accessed through our Commissioned Table Service.

There are previously commissioned datasets from both Census 2021 and the 2011 Census.

• For Census 2021, CT21_0217 provides occupation data (4-digit SOC codes) by selected economic activity status for England and Wales, as well as for all lower-tier local authorities. 
• The lookup file on our Open Geography portal can be used to identify regions by aggregating the relevant local authorities. 
• For the 2011 Census, CT0426 provides sex by occupation (4-digit codes) for England and Wales and all local authorities.

There are no 4-digit SOC code datasets available for Travel to Work Areas (TTWAs). Given that Census 2021 was conducted during a period of lockdown, we are currently exploring alternative data sources to support the development of updated TTWAs. While we recognise that the existing TTWAs are now somewhat outdated, and may not fully reflect current commuting patterns, we are not yet in a position to produce revised geographies.

If you wish to obtain further analysis by 4-digit SOC code, the Census Commissioned Tables team can create bespoke, ad hoc tables in response to specific user requests. These tables can include combinations of data that are not available in our standard published outputs. 

Such services are subject to disclosure controls, legal frameworks, resources, and an agreement of costs. The associated download provides an order form with the scale of charges.

If you would like to request this bespoke dataset, please contact census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk to discuss your enquiry further.