Information for care workers

Yes, training is available for sponsored care workers, and those who have recently lost their sponsors and are looking for a new one via the BNSSG Sponsored care worker support scheme.

Employability Support Workshop:

This workshop will help you with finding employment in the Care Sector if you are currently looking for a new sponsor to employ you, feel confident with your CV, learn winning interview techniques and help to keep you motivated.

Webinar for Sponsored Care Workers

This FREE webinar with Lifted will give you the information and
support you need to be confident that you are up to date with the
latest sponsorship news as this is always changing. This session will
also be an opportunity to ask any questions you may have, as well
as speak to other sponsored workers.

Caring in the UK training

Caring in the UK training session is an all-day session which looks at all aspects of working in the UK care sector. Organised by Bristol City Council – these sessions are bookable via Eventbrite. Please select ‘Caring in the UK training’ for dates and booking details.

As part of the South Gloucestershire International Recruitment project, overseas workers have free access to resources and support via drop in sessions at our community hubs.

The community hubs are run by our partners to help support the community with information, advice and resources. There are five hubs within South Gloucestershire located at Thornbury, Yate, Stoke Gifford, Emersons Green and Kingswood.

These sessions have been designed to provide wellbeing advice, guidance and orientation to help you and your families to settle into your local community within South Gloucestershire.

You don’t need to make an appointment, or book in advance to come to the sessions. It’s easy – just arrive at the drop-in session to get face to face support and advice on lots of different subjects, as well as ask any questions you may have

The weekly sessions can give you: Housing advice, Information about health and wellbeing support, Employment support and help with benefits, Information about different services across South Gloucestershire, Help with English and language learning, Information on events, activities and community groups.

We are excited to announce the release of our new BNSSG Sponsored Care Worker app for sponsored care workers across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

The BNSSG Sponsored Care Worker app has lots of information across a wide range of topics to help you live and work in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

This includes how to register with a doctor, through to how to find somewhere to rent. Lots of information about shopping including where to find international or specialist food markets, or second-hand school uniform. There is also information about travel across the area, whether that is by bus, train or bicycle.

And importantly – there is information about where to find help and support if things in life and work don’t go according to plan.

Click here for information on how to download this FREE APP.

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.

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

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/

You can call their Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848

Have a look at their contact details here: Contact us – Citizens Advice

They also operate local offices where you can make an appointment, or drop-in to speak to an adviser 1-2-1.

• Bristol: Citizens Advice Bristol – free, independent, impartial and confidential advice
• North Somerset: Home – Citizens Advice North Somerset
• South Gloucestershire: Advice from Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire

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

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/

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