I AM A SPONSORED CARE WORKER - HOW DO I ENGAGE WITH THE Jobs Base IN BNSSG?

You may have received a letter from the Home Office to say that your employer's licence has been revoked. Being informed that your employer has had their licence revoked will be a stressful and daunting situation, but there are people who can support you through this.

It is important that you contact the organisations detailed in your letter as soon as possible. You will have 60 days to find a new job and sponsor as well as complete the new visa process, after this time it could be that you will need to leave the UK.

Contact your regional partnership - for the South West this is:

commissioning.swadass@swcouncils.gov.uk

They will ask you to complete the following MS Form with your details to register on the Jobs Base:

https://forms.office.com/e/iZ76MuiRgQ

The Jobs Base is where care providers in BNSSG will share the roles they are looking to fill. We have asked the care providers to only add roles to the Jobs Base if they already have a sponsor licence.

Once you have submitted your details to the Jobs Base you will be given a reference number and information about available roles in your area which you could apply for. You should hear from your local authority team within five working days.

Unfortunately, the South West displaced worker pool is only open to those who live in the South West. If you live in another part of England, Scotland or Wales you will need to refer to your local regional partnership. Click here to find your local partnership.

Where else can I find care worker vacancies?

You can also use the following websites to find care worker roles in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire:

• Proud to Care South Gloucestershire: https://proudtocaresouthglos.org.uk

• Proud to Care North Somerset: https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/jobs-training/proud-care-north-somerset

• Bristol City Council Careers in Social Work and Care: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/jobs-and-training/careers-in-social-work-and-care

If you are looking for a new job nationally you could try the following government job sites: 

• Department of Health & Social Care job search

• Department of Work and Pensions website

Apps - Sponsor Switch from Lifted Talent https://www.sponsorswitch.com/find-a-job is an app you can use to find care providers who are looking for new care workers and who can sponsor.

Recruitment Agencies - You could also use a Recruitment agency. Recruitment agencies are not allowed to charge you fees for finding or attempting to find you a job. Please check out this list of ethical recruiters: Ethical Recruiters List

Read this document  from the UK Government - “Advice to help you stay safe when searching for a health or social care job in the UK” 

When you find a job you would like to apply for,  you can then check if they have a sponsor licence on the Autonomy website: Search database of care providers with Sponsored Licences

Where else can I get help?

Here are some organisations who can help if you find yourself needing a new sponsor:

Care Workers Charity - https://www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk

Citizen's Advice: They have lots of information to support you, and they also operate local offices where you can make an appointment, or drop-in to speak to an adviser.

• https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/health-and-care-worker-visas/problems-with-work-if-you-have-a-health-and-care-worker-visa/

• https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/health-and-care-worker-visas/losing-your-job-if-you-have-a-health-and-care-worker-visa/ 

What if you think that you may be a victim of modern slavery?

If you think that you, or someone you know, is a victim of exploitation or modern slavery please contact the Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 or you can report it online on the Unseen website: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/report

What happens if you have overstayed your visa?

The Home Office will not remind you if your visa is about to expire, and if you continue to live in the UK after your visa has expired you will be considered to be living here illegally. Please seek help if you are in this situation. You can talk to a regulated immigration adviser.

The JCWI (joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants) may also be able to help as they may be able to provide free and confidential advice: www.jcwi.org.uk.

The Citizen's Advice also have information that could support you in this situation. You can read more about deportation and living in the UK Illegally on the citizen’s advice website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/deportation-and-living-in-the-uk-illegally/

What if you want to return home?

It may be that on notification that your sponsor has lost their licence that you would like to return home, but need help to do that. The UK government may be able to support you to return home. You can call their helpline 0300 004 0202 (Mon-Fri 9-5) to find out more.

Or you can read more about the support available to help you to return home on the UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/return-home-voluntarily

Have you downloaded our app?

If you have not yet downloaded our Sponsored Care Worker app please do so. Click here to view more information about the app and how to download it.