In recent years, the United Kingdom has been facing a growing demand for healthcare professionals, including those working in care homes. To address this need, some care homes in the UK have started offering overseas sponsorship opportunities for qualified and skilled individuals from abroad.
This initiative aims to attract talented and dedicated professionals to contribute to the provision of high-quality care services in the UK. The care homes offering overseas sponsorship in UK play a crucial role in supporting individuals who require assistance with daily activities due to age, disability, or health conditions.
With an aging population and an increasing demand for healthcare services, there is a pressing need for qualified staff to work in care homes. You can hire foreign social workers as a social care provider in the UK under the Health and Care or Skilled Worker visa programs.
Operators in the UK social care sector must first obtain an immigration license in order to sponsor foreign caregivers to work in the country.
How to hire an international social worker
The following crucial actions must be taken when hiring caregivers from overseas:
- Verify whether your business qualifies for a sponsor license.
- Request a sponsor license by going to the area below.
- Verify the candidate’s qualifications for the position and work function.
- Request a sponsorship certificate and assign a COS number.
- Worker to submit a work visa application.
Sponsor license qualification
As a prospective sponsor, you will have to prove to the Home Office that you are authorized to work in your industry and offer services related to social care.
This could imply, for instance, that you are completely registered with the General Medical Council as an NHS provider or the Care Quality Commission (CQC) if you operate a care home or the comparable organizations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Additionally, you need to be trading or have a presence in the UK. Additionally, candidates must have had their sponsor license canceled within the last year or have any existing charges against them.
It is imperative that all sponsors have the systems and procedures in place for overseeing their sponsored workers in a lawful way in order to submit a successful sponsor licensing application.
This entails completing the required verification for being eligible to work in the UK, maintaining records, keeping an eye on sponsored workers, and providing information to the Home Office.
Position and eligibility
A list of shortage-eligible jobs for the Health and Care and Skilled Worker visas is available from the Home Office. Furthermore, you have to:
- Offer only actual work.
- You must have the capacity to provide work that satisfies the route’s standards for competence and pay.
- Sponsor employees only for positions on the lack of candidates or qualifying profession lists.
- Offer compensation that satisfies or surpasses the bare minimum required for the particular position.
How to apply for Overseas Sponsorship
The initiative of care homes offering overseas sponsorship in UK reflects a proactive approach to addressing the workforce challenges in the care sector.
By welcoming skilled professionals from abroad, care homes not only enhance their own capacity but also contribute to the overall improvement of healthcare services in the UK. The following actions must be followed to apply for a sponsor licence:
- Put in place the required procedures and systems (such as right-to-work checks, documentation, and supervision) to make sure you can fulfill your sponsorship responsibilities.
- Select the individuals who will serve as your “key personnel,” such as your authorizing officer, key contact, and Level 1 and Level 2 Sponsor Management System users.
- Gather the necessary paperwork to send with the application.
- Determine the number of UK CoS (Certificates of Sponsorship) required for the first year of the sponsorship.
- Fill out the online sponsor licensing application and send it in.
- Deliver all paperwork needed to the Home Office.
- Get ready for a UKVI compliance officer’s pre-compliance visit.
You can begin applying for and issuing Certificates of Sponsorship to foreign workers as soon as your Sponsorship Management System (SMS) is operational and your sponsor licence has been issued. A designated individual within your company may submit an SMS application for a CoS. In addition, £199 is required.
The foreign employee can then use the Certificate of Offer (CoS) as proof that they have been extended an offer of employment, if authorized by the Home Office (usually within a day). This document can then be used to apply for an employment visa.
Benefits of Overseas Sponsorship
Care homes offering overseas sponsorship in UK can yield several benefits, addressing key challenges in the healthcare sector and contributing to the overall improvement of care services. Here are some notable advantages:
- Addressing Staff Shortages: One of the primary benefits is overcoming the persistent challenge of staffing shortages in the UK’s care homes. By offering overseas sponsorship, care homes can tap into a broader pool of qualified professionals, helping meet the increasing demand for healthcare services.
- Diversity in the Workforce: Overseas sponsorship brings cultural diversity to the care home workforce. Having a diverse team enhances the overall work environment, fosters cross-cultural understanding, and allows care homes to better cater to the needs of a diverse resident population. Different perspectives and experiences contribute to a more inclusive and responsive care approach.
- Filling Specialized Roles: Some overseas candidates may possess specialized skills or experience that are in high demand but may be lacking in the local workforce. By sponsoring professionals from abroad, care homes can fill specific roles that require unique expertise, contributing to the overall quality of care provided.
- Global Best Practices: Overseas professionals bring with them knowledge of best practices from their home countries. This exchange of ideas and approaches can lead to improvements in the delivery of care services, introducing innovative solutions and methodologies that enhance the overall quality of care in UK care homes.
- Professional Development Opportunities: The presence of overseas professionals can create opportunities for knowledge-sharing and professional development among the entire care home staff. The exchange of skills and experiences contributes to a more dynamic and learning-oriented workplace environment.
- Enhanced Community Relationships: Care homes that actively engage with overseas professionals can build stronger ties with the broader community. This outreach not only contributes to a positive public perception but also fosters connections with families of residents who may appreciate the cultural diversity and global perspective brought by overseas staff.
- Contributing to the Economy: Overseas sponsorship can have positive economic implications for the UK. By filling critical healthcare roles with overseas talent, care homes contribute to the overall health and well-being of the population, supporting economic productivity and stability.
- Cultural Competence in Care: With a diverse workforce, care homes can better understand and cater to the cultural preferences and needs of residents. This cultural competence contributes to a more personalized and effective delivery of care services.
- Attraction of Global Talent: Actively offering overseas sponsorship can position care homes as attractive employers on a global scale. This can help them attract top-tier talent, creating a competitive edge in the recruitment of skilled professionals.
The process of applying for immigration for social professionals working abroad
The following is an estimated schedule for obtaining the required visa authorization in order to hire a foreign worker for a social care position:
- Establish the procedures and mechanisms required for sponsorship: one to four weeks
- Submit an application for a sponsor license and find out the outcome: eight weeks
- Applying for a Sponsorship Certificate Takes One Day
- It takes three weeks to apply for a skilled worker or health and care worker visa.
In case you require foreign social service providers to begin work immediately, you can pay an additional charge of £500 for your sponsor license application, which will be decided within 10 days, and £800 for your work visa application, which will be decided within 1 day or 5 days.
FAQs
Why do care homes in the UK offer overseas sponsorship?
Care homes are offering overseas sponsorship in UK to overcome staffing shortages, bring in professionals with diverse skills, enhance cultural competence in care delivery, and contribute to the overall improvement of healthcare services.
What qualifications are typically required for overseas candidates seeking sponsorship in UK care homes?
Overseas candidates are usually required to have relevant professional qualifications and experience in healthcare or a related field. Language proficiency, often demonstrated through tests like IELTS, may also be a requirement.
How does the sponsorship process work for overseas candidates?
The sponsorship process typically involves the care home assisting candidates in obtaining the necessary work visas and authorizations to legally work in the UK. This may include providing support with visa applications and ensuring compliance with immigration regulations.
What benefits do overseas professionals bring to UK care homes?
Overseas professionals bring benefits such as filling critical staff shortages, contributing to cultural diversity in the workforce, introducing global best practices, filling specialized roles, and promoting continuous professional development among the staff.
Are there language requirements for overseas candidates?
Yes, language proficiency in English is often a requirement. Candidates may need to demonstrate their English language skills through standardized tests like IELTS to ensure effective communication in the workplace.
