The United Kingdom is one of the world’s largest economies and offers many attractive recruitment options for expats looking for a career change.
You may have secured a job prior to arriving in the United Kingdom, or you may need to seek work once you have settled. It may even be that you want to start your own business.
South Africans living in the United Kingdom have often been praised as being dedicated and hard working.
There are many various jobs in the United Kingdom, and these range from unskilled to skilled jobs. If at first, you cannot find your ideal job, try other options which will also give you experience in other areas.
If you have immigrated from South Africa, your new employer will ask you to prove your right to work in the United Kingdom.
You are eligible to work in the UK, and therefore don’t need to obtain a work permit, if You are a British citizen.
Skilled workers visa
We have had many posts on our Facebook group about the Health and Care visa, especially since “6145: care workers and home carers” was added to list.
To apply for this occupation code or any occupation on the Skilled Workers visa list:
- You need to have a job offer from an approved employer
- The employer needs to be on the Government’s register of licensed sponsors.
- The employer will check that you meet the eligibility requirements.
- They’ll give you a “certificate of sponsorship” to prove this
When people have posted on our Facebook group asking for advice on this we have seen many comments where people have been recommending various care companies which don’t currently offer sponsorship. While these may be useful to people already living in the U.K. it’s not beneficial for those needing a Skilled Workers visa to work in the U.K., and may give people false hope.
When looking for companies that provide sponsorship, there aren’t many offering sponsorship for the new care workers occupation code. This maybe because it takes a company up to 8 weeks to become an approved sponsor and the new occupation code is still new.
The Government site does provide a register of worker and temporary worker licensed sponsors
There is a website that could be useful in helping people searching for companies that offer sponsorship. A number of people have realised that the Government list is not very easy to use and they have put together some useful information and tools to help you search for a sponsor.
After having a brief look at some of the links on the site, which does offer easier searching for sponsorship jobs, it seems there isn’t much with regards to the new carer occupation code.
However still a useful site for other occupations.
It may be worth taking a look at this site.
Health and Care Worker visa
A Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.
- Overview
- Your job
- If you’ll need to meet different salary requirements
- Knowledge of English
- How much it costs
- Documents you’ll need to apply
- Apply from outside the UK
- Your partner and children
- Extend your visa
- Update your visa if you change job or employer
- Switch to this visa
- Taking on additional work
Health and care companies
Please note some of these companies may offer sponsorship and some may not offer sponsorship. Those that don’t offer sponsorship may be beneficial to those who already have the right to work in the United Kingdom and are looking for health and care work.
Home Care Jobs in the UK & Nursing Agency Jobs in the UK
Homecare agencies
- Amber Home Carers
- Ena
- Brightcare
- SweetTree Homecare
- Blossom Homecare
- Eclipse Homecare
- Christies Care
- The Care Company UK
- Helping Hands
- Consultus Care
- Care Match
- Caring Crew
National Insurance number
Firstly if you are going to work in the UK, you will need a National Insurance number. Applying for an NI number is fairly easy. All you need to do is book an appointment at your local jobcentre and they will arrange it for you.
The National Insurance number is a number used in the United Kingdom in the administration of the National Insurance or social security system. It is also used for some purposes in the UK tax system. The number is sometimes referred to as an NI number.
Once you have received your letter from the HMRC with your NI number, you will then provide a copy to your employer or company’s (HR) department. This will mean that you pay the correct amount of tax and NI while you are working in the UK.
Shortly before a person’s 16th birthday, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) notifies them of their NI number.
The format of the number is two prefix letters, six digits and one suffix letter. An example is AA123456C.
The National Insurance number is used as a reference number in the Pay As You Earn system, and also by the self-employed.
Your National Insurance contribution is taken from your gross salary when you are paid. So while you are working in the UK, you will be required to pay NI, unless you do not meet the tax threshold.
Employee
An employee is someone who works under an employment contract.
Employees who work under an employment contract, have the following rights:
- Statutory sick pay
- Getting the national minimum wage
- The statutory minimum level of paid holiday
- Deductions from wages
- The statutory minimum length of rest breaks
- To not work more than 48 hours on average per week, or to opt out of this right if they choose.
- Protection against unlawful discrimination
- Protection for ‘whistleblowing’ – reporting wrongdoing in the workplace
- Statutory maternity and paternity leave
- Minimum notice periods
- Protection against unfair dismissal
- The right to request flexible working
- Time off for emergencies
- Statutory redundancy pay
Contracts of employment and working hours
Working time in the United Kingdom is regulated in UK labour law in respect of holidays, daily breaks, night work and the maximum working day. The United Kingdom has minimum statutory rights for every individual at work.
Employment contracts are the norm when working in the UK and every employee has the right to ask for a written contract. The contract contains the terms and conditions of your employment.
The U.K. has a diverse, multicultural workforce. There are legal and structural systems in place to make sure that discrimination can be tackled effectively, and expats shouldn’t expect to find themselves at a disadvantage.
The most controversial and widely known provisions in the working time laws, however, concern the maximum working week. Under the Directive, this is 48 hours. The maximum does not apply to anyone who is self-employed or who can set their own hours of work, as it is aimed to protect workers who possess less bargaining power and autonomy over the way they do their jobs. Nevertheless, all UK workers may “opt out” of the 48-hour week by individually signing an opt out form
- Contract types and employer responsibilities
- Employer relocation your rights
- Employers: preventing discrimination
- Employment contracts
- Fixed-term employment contracts
- Holiday entitlement
- Overtime: your rights
- Part-time workers’ rights
- Rest breaks at work
- Sunday working
- Recruitment and disabled people
- Smoking at work: the law
Understanding your pay
- Overview
- Working out your pay
- Pay calculations if you work shifts or get bonuses
- Performance-related pay
- Deductions from your pay
Problems at work
- Find out what you can do if you’ve got a complaint at work – outlines steps you can take
- Making a settlement agreement with your employer
- Find out how to make a claim to an employment tribunal
- Dealing with grievances at work
- Letter to raise a grievance at work
- Complaint about a problem at work – grievance letter checklist
- Dealing with disciplinary action at work
- You may have received a letter from your employer asking you to go to a disciplinary meeting
- Check when you can make a claim for detriment
Income tax and related information
- Check your tax code – you may be owed money
- You may be able to transfer unused allowance to your spouse
- Read about reducing tax if you wear/wore a uniform
Income Tax Calculator
Please note this is only a ready reckoner that makes standard assumptions to estimate your tax breakdown. There are many other possible variables, for a definitive source check your tax code and speak to the tax office. This calculator assumes you’re employed, as self-employed national insurance rates are different.
Leaving a job
Dismissal
- Check if your dismissal is unfair
- Check if your employer’s dismissal process is unfair
- Challenge your dismissal
- Claiming constructive dismissal
- Your notice period during dismissal
- After you’ve been dismissed
- If your employer wants to dismiss you because of long term sickness
Redundancy
- Check if your redundancy is fair
- Check how much redundancy pay you can get
- Your notice period during redundancy
- Your options if your employer offers you another job
- Challenge your redundancy
- Preparing for after redundancy
- Choosing voluntary redundancy
- Being laid off or put on short-time working
Resigning
- Deciding whether to resign
- Your notice period when resigning
- If your employer says you can’t work for a competitor
- If your employer says you’ve resigned
- If your employer says you owe them money
- Solving property disputes when you leave a job
After leaving your job
- Getting a job reference
- Getting paid when you leave a job
Interviews
Interviews usually take place face-to-face and in person but the parties may instead be separated geographically, as in videoconferencing, or telephone interviews. Interviews almost always involve spoken conversation between two or more parties.
The traditional two-person interview format, sometimes called a one-on-one interview, permits direct questions and follow-ups, which enables an interviewer to better gauge the accuracy and relevance of responses. It is a flexible arrangement in the sense that subsequent questions can be tailored to clarify earlier answers.
Face to face interviewing helps both parties to interact and form a connection, and understand the other. Further, face to face interview sessions can be more enjoyable.
In an interview, you’ll be asked a number of specific questions about the job and general questions about you.
Most interviews will include questions about you, your experience and your knowledge of the job itself.
Don’t rush through your interview, take time answering and think about what you are saying.
Let the interviewer know why you are better than other candidates by supporting every answer with a relevant example from previous jobs.
Choose four or five key things about yourself that are relevant to the job such as specific skills, qualifications, experience, or passion for your area of expertise.
Research the organisation, their products, services.
Webinar
If you would like to watch a recording of the webinar on the skilled worker visa, please visit our webinar page.
- Skilled workers visa
- Sponsorship licences
- Global talent visa
Interview tips to improve interview performance
- Practice good nonverbal communication
- Do your research on the company
- Be polite with everyone
- Be prepared for your interview
- Dress for the job or company
- Listen
- Use appropriate language
- Be punctual at your interview.
- Think about the questions being asked and put thought into your answers
- Sit up straight
- Smile
Some helpful links about interviews
- Top ten interview questions.
- National Careers interview advice
- Body language at interviews
- Skills assessment
ACAS
Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.
They also offer training and help to resolve disputes.
Agencies and job vacancies
The U.K. has a wide range of job-hunting websites. These may offer listings for a range of jobs, or they may offer specialist listings for particular employers or sectors such as the government or health care. Many of these sites also allow you to upload your CV, so you can manage the whole process online.
- Indeed
- Reed
- Glassdoor
- Gov UK job search
- Jobserve
- Adecco
- Monster
- Randstad
- Jac recruitment
- CV-Library
- Social care jobs
- Teaching jobs
- Army jobs
- Police jobs
- NHS jobs
- Hays
- Trac jobs
- Michael Page
- Recruit UK
- Benjamin Edwards
- Robert Walters
- Love Recruitment
- Robert Half
- HRGO
- Aldi Recruitment
- Amazon Jobs
- Lidl careers
- Sainsbury
- Morrisons Supermarkets
- Argos Careers
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you’ll be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay. work alongside experienced staff. Get time for training and study related to your role.
Free courses for jobs
Details of the free courses and qualifications for adults (19+) available through the government’s Plan for Jobs including eligibility criteria and how to apply.
New free online learning platform to boost workplace skills
- The Skills Toolkit
- Find more free online learning courses
- Ways to develop your skills
- Getting the most out of online learning
Explore careers
Set up a business as a sole trader
Benefits and financial support
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to qualify for benefits and financial support if you are looking for work
- Benefits calculators
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- Apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment
- Benefits and financial support if you’re on a low income
A handy tip for those in the process of looking for work
While you have the spare time, offer to work in a charity shop. (Most charity shops are always looking for extra help)
Although this is not an income, firstly you will be helping people in need, secondly, you will be gaining experience in working with the public and many other areas, thirdly it is something to add to your cv.
This shows that you have determination and are prepared to go the extra mile.
Some helpful files that you can download
- 30 Second Commercial (Career Planning)
- UK CV template
- ‘T’ Style Response to an Advert (Job Search)
- Standard response to an advert(Job search)
- Job Sites – Flexible Working (Job Search)
- Example Correspondence – Direct Approach(Job search)
- Tips for completing competence-based application forms (Personal branding)
- Social Media Terminology – General (Personal branding)
- LinkedIn® Tips for a Powerful Profile (Personal branding)
- Summarising Your Key Strengths (Personal branding)
- Example Achievement Statements (Personal branding)
- Do’s and Don’ts of Online / Social Networking(Personal branding)
- Action Words for CVs (Personal Branding)
- Secured a New Role? LinkedIn Tips
- Interview Follow Up Correspondence
- Tips for success in competence-based Interviews (Close the deal)
- Salary Questions – Deflecting Responses(close the deal)
- Salary Information (Close the deal)
- Questions You Can Ask (Close the Deal)
- Assessing and Evaluating Job Offers Checklist(Close the deal)
- Common Interview Questions (Close the Deal)
