Guidance And Support For Prospective Overseas Candidates
NHS Employers is distributing an update from the Department for Health and Social Care. It states that the guidance for international applicants seeking health and social care jobs in the UK has been revised and reissued. This guidance and support for prospective overseas candidates offers assistance by providing advice on avoiding scams, recognising exploitation, and offering practical information necessary for seeking employment in the UK. It has been divided into two parts for easier access. All international candidates thinking about applying for a health or social care job in the UK should read this guidance and support first.
At Servisource, our recruitment team are aware that healthcare staff can be anxious when moving across the world to another country. However, our team ensure they feel like extended family members by putting them at ease, providing a meet and greet at the airport, supplying a sim card to call loved ones back home when they arrive, escorting them to their accommodation and in some instances taking them on their first shopping trip. This ensures they settle into their new home and surroundings well.
Part 1: Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad
Healthcare in the UK is mainly provided by the National Health Service (NHS), a group of public bodies that provide or arrange medical care for all permanent residents in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). There are many varied jobs in the health and social care sector. Some jobs need specific training and skills, and to practice, professionals must join professional registers. Part 1 provides support for prospective overseas candidates applying for jobs including information on:
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1. Finding a good recruitment agency
There are 2 main ways you can be recruited to the UK. You can apply for jobs directly via a jobs board such as NHS jobs or Find a job in social care. Or apply for jobs via a recruitment agency or recruitment organisation. If going through a recruitment agency, check if the agency has a strong track record and positive reviews from both candidates and employers.
Servisource has become one of Ireland’s leading national and international suppliers of high quality and innovative recruitment and healthcare staffing solutions, enabling continuity of care during peaks in demand, by providing cost-effective solutions which help our longstanding clients manage budgets, reduce workloads, maintain staffing levels and deliver premium patient care. Our team conduct all necessary compliance, educational and police checks, and offer visa assistance and onboarding help when needed.
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2. How to check if a job is untrustworthy
If you’re applying for a job with an independent provider (not publicly funded like the NHS), check that the company is real by looking it up on the Companies House website.
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3. Understanding finances
Be clear what costs you’ll need to pay during the recruitment process and whether your employer will pay any of these for you. For most visas, including Health and Care Worker visas, you are not entitled to financial help from the UK government (this is also called ‘no access to public funds’). It is advised to check the following:
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4. Employment offers and contracts
Make sure you get a job offer letter from your employer which details the salary, hours, location and any repayment clauses before accepting a job and travelling to the UK. Do not allow anyone to pressure you into signing a contract until you’re comfortable with what is included. Do not sign a different contract on arrival in the UK. Some employers have used this as a way of reducing your rights. All employers should provide:
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5. Visas, family dependants, professional regulation and employer support
Information is available though the Health and Care Worker visa requirements guidance if applying for that visa. For care workers or senior care workers, dependants can’t join them in the UK unless they are on a Health and Care Worker visa applied for before 11 March 2024.
Part 2: living and working in the UK , what you need to know as a health and care worker
This part is a guide that provides advice on how to recognise the signs of exploitation, how to avoid it and what to do about it. The code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel sets out the UK government’s written guidelines for ensuring that international recruitment of health and social care staff is done ethically. Part 2 provides support on the following topics:
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1. Be aware of exploitation
Be aware of the signs of exploitation. These include being forced to work under poor conditions, without reasonable time off and for little or no payment. Money and fees issues are discussed as well as working hours and quality of care being provided.
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2. Arranging accommodation
Make sure you have a clear plan for where you will live, who is arranging it and for how long. For advice on looking for a home through a private landlord or letting agent, see Shelter.
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3. Worker legal rights, working hours and taking on additional work
Your rights as a worker are protected by UK law. Read the GLAA workers’ rights leaflet. By law, you must not work more than 48 hours a week on average, unless you ‘opt out’. Even if you opt out, you must take rest breaks from work.
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4. Employment changes and your visa
Your visa may be affected if you change jobs, lose your job, or your employer loses their sponsorship licence. Please note that your employer cannot deport you, the Home Office will decide whether to cancel your visa or not.
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5. Equality and inclusion in the workplace
You’re legally protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010. If you think you’ve been unfairly discriminated against, you can contact the Equality Advisory Support Service for help and advice, or contact your trade union.
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6. Organisations to support you during your employment
If you join after a problem has occurred it is harder for these organisations to represent you, so consider joining when you first start your job. You’ll need to pay a membership fee, but some trade unions offer a discounted membership fee for international members.
Servisource want to make sure the process of recruitment is understood, and that healthcare workers are well informed about working rights and standards and have the information needed to make decisions. For detailed information on the above, please refer to the gov.uk website.