Hiring and Sponsoring Senior Care Workers (SOC Code 6136)

Senior care workers, classified under SOC Code 6136, play a crucial role in managing care services and providing direct support to individuals in residential care homes, nursing homes, and domiciliary care settings. With the rising demand for senior care professionals in the UK, many care organisations are looking to hire and sponsor non-UK workers to fill these vital roles. This guide will help HR professionals understand the process of hiring and sponsoring senior care workers under the UK immigration system.

What is SOC Code 6136 for Senior Care Workers?

SOC Code 6136 refers to senior care workers responsible for supervising care teams and providing direct care to individuals in need of assistance due to age, illness, or disability. Their key duties include:

• Supervising care staff: Leading and managing a team of care workers.
• Assisting with personal care: Helping residents with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
• Administering medication: Dispensing prescribed medication and ensuring adherence to care plans.
• Health monitoring: Observing and reporting changes in residents’ health conditions.
• Liaising with families: Communicating with residents' families about care plans and any concerns.

Senior care workers are essential for maintaining the quality of care provided in nursing homes and other care facilities, making them invaluable assets to the healthcare sector.

Eligibility to Hire Senior Care Workers (SOC Code 6136)

Hiring senior care workers from outside the UK requires meeting specific criteria under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

1. Job Requirements

Senior care workers must have specific qualifications and experience to qualify for sponsorship. Key requirements include:

• Relevant qualifications: A Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care or equivalent.
• Experience: Proven experience in a care environment, ideally in a supervisory role.
• Skills: Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Regulatory compliance: Understanding of UK care regulations, safeguarding, and health and safety protocols.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 6136 and that the candidate meets the role’s requirements.

2. Salary Thresholds

To sponsor a senior care worker under the Skilled Worker Visa, the job must meet the minimum salary threshold set by the UK Home Office. The general minimum salary threshold is £26,200 per year or the "going rate" for the role—whichever is higher.

However, senior care workers are listed on the Immigration Salary List, which reduces the minimum salary threshold to £20,960 per year. This reduction reflects the high demand for senior care workers across the UK.

You can use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

3. Immigration Salary List

Being on the Immigration Salary List simplifies the sponsorship process for senior care workers. This offers several benefits:

• Lower salary thresholds: As mentioned, the salary requirement is reduced to 80% of the standard threshold.
• Reduced visa fees: Workers applying for roles on the Immigration Salary List benefit from lower visa application fees.

For more information, refer to the immigration salary list.

Sponsoring Senior Care Workers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility criteria, follow these steps to sponsor senior care workers under SOC Code 6136.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK workers, your organisation must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence allows you to legally sponsor overseas workers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: You will need to provide documentation that proves your business is legitimate and that there is a genuine vacancy. For detailed guidance, visit the sponsor licence application guide.
• Sponsor Licence Fees: The fees depend on the size of your organisation. Small businesses typically pay £536, while larger organisations pay £1,476. For more details, see sponsor licence fees.
• Processing Time: Applications take up to 8 weeks, but you can expedite the process using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service, reducing the wait time to about 10 working days.

Once approved, you'll receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to prospective hires.

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the senior care worker. This digital document contains essential information about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for workers applying from outside the UK and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. More details can be found in Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship.
• Required Documents: You’ll need to provide the worker’s passport details, job offer, and salary information. For a full list of required documents, refer to the Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS has been issued, the candidate can apply for their Skilled Worker Visa. The application process includes submitting the visa application, paying the visa fees, and covering the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

• Visa Fees: Fees vary based on the duration of the visa and the role. Use the visa fees calculator to calculate costs.
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are responsible for paying the Immigration Skills Charge, which is separate from the visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Senior Care Workers

Once the worker has received their visa and is ready to start working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure that they are legally permitted to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: This involves checking the worker’s original documents, such as their passport and visa.
• Online Right to Work Check: If the worker holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right to work.

For more information on conducting a right to work check, visit the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

After hiring senior care workers, maintaining compliance with UK immigration laws is critical to keeping your sponsor licence in good standing.

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting

• Record-Keeping: HR teams must maintain accurate records of all sponsored workers, including employment details, salary, and contact information.
• Reporting Changes: Any significant changes in the worker’s employment, such as promotions or salary adjustments, must be reported via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).

2. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance

Complying with your sponsor licence duties is essential to avoid penalties or sponsor licence revocation, which could impact your ability to sponsor workers in the future.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Senior Care Workers

Navigating the process of hiring and sponsoring senior care workers under SOC Code 6136 can be challenging, but Borderless is here to assist you every step of the way.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

We offer comprehensive services, including:

• Sponsor Licence Application Assistance: We help you complete the application process and ensure all required documents are submitted.
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Our platform simplifies the CoS assignment process, allowing you to hire skilled workers with ease.
• Compliance Management: We help you manage your sponsor licence compliance, reducing the risk of penalties or licence revocation.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring senior care workers, get in touch for personalised advice.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring senior care workers under SOC Code 6136 requires following a structured process that includes obtaining a sponsor licence, assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship, and ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws. By following the steps outlined in this guide, your organisation can successfully sponsor senior care workers and meet the growing demand for skilled care professionals.

For additional support, Borderless is here to help. Contact us for expert guidance on managing your sponsorship needs.