Advice with a career change from animal work into child protection?

I have a degree and have been working with animals for many years now. I have decided I would like to change careers. Im interested in doing something with vunerable children i.e. a family/ child support worker or similar, but have got no clue how to go about it. I have read it is useful to have an NVQ3 in childcare but to obtain this u have to be working in a nursery setting, which i do not nor do I want to. Is there any other path i can take to obtain experience and entry into this qualification??Advice with a career change from animal work into child protection?
VQ's are practical qualifications and as such you have to have the practical experience

IF you want to work with vulnerable families/children then you have to have appropriate experience and/or qualifications

What about going down the Health and Social Care route. It is a more theoretical qualification

Maybe look at vacancies and see what qualifications and experience they ask for or see your local college for appropriate courses

I work with vulnerable families/children and students and all staff have VQ's at level 3 or 4 in Early Years.