Working in the UK
About Kent
Often called the Garden of England, Kent's orchards of apples, pears and cherries make a delightful scene amongst the rolling chalk hills. The scene also includes picturesque villages and the distinct architecture of Oasts, the kilns where the hops were dried after harvesting.
Kent's proximity to London makes it an ideal place from which to commute and also for sight seeing. In the other direction lie the White Cliffs of Dover, with easy links to France and the beaches and resorts such as Broadstairs, the hidden jewel in Kent's coastline. Here are some useful links...
Finding Accommodation:
If you are arriving from overseas with no accommodation arranged, you will find plenty of letting agencies in the main towns who will be able to find you a flat or apartment to rent. Alternatively, if you are looking for a bedroom only in a shared house, you will frequently find these advertised in the local free press. Many letting agents will ask you to provide references and also run a credit check on you; if you are unsuccessful in this, you will be asked to pay your rent up front possibly 6 months rent. Rent can vary from £40 per week (for room in shared house) to £200 per week for a 2 bedroom apartment or small house. Additionally, you will ideally need the use of a car whilst working in Kent, especially if you are working on temporary assignments.
Criminal Records Bureau Check "CRB"
Every worker seeking employment within the care sector will be subject to a UK police check, known as an enhanced CRB check. These checks can take 3-6 weeks to come through, and you will not be able to work without one. The cost of your CRB will be £48. Find out more at crb.gov.uk
References:
You will be asked to provide names and contact details of a minimum of 2 referees covering the last 3 years of your employment, one of which MUST be from a relevant social care background. References must be received in English
Qualifications:
Qualifications must be verified and certified by an accredited translator and all original documents produced at interview. You can check if your qualification is recognised in the UK by contacting the GSCC (General Social Care Council). Any relevant training you may have had will also be verified at interview.
Working As A Qualified Social Worker in the UK and the Role of the General Social Care Council (GSCC)
The General Social Care Council regulates the social care workforce in England. It was set up in October 2001 under the Care Standards Act 2000 to register social care workers and to regulate their conduct and training. There are equivalent bodies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It is a legal requirement for qualified social workers and those training to be social workers to be registered with GSCC. The job title "job description" has been a protected title under section 61 of the Care Standards Act 2000, which means anyone not registered and using the title or carrying out the tasks of a social worker can be fined up to £5000.
Only those on the GSCC social care register can practise. Social workers must renew their registration every three years and pay a fee of £30. To renew a registration a social worker must be able to demonstrate that they have carried out 90 hours or 15 days post registration training and learning (PRTL). Apply for registration with the GSCC.
Post Registration Training
The GSCC places an emphasis on continuing professional development for social workers.
The following activities all count towards for 90 hours PRTL - however evidence will be required.
- attending conferences
- job shadowing a social worker colleague
- negotiating protected time to research the latest policy and good practice developments in your field of practice
- undertaking a piece of research related to your practice
Under GSCC rules every registered social worker must complete either 90 hours or 15 days of study, training courses, seminars, seminars, reading, teaching or other activities which could reasonably be expected to advance the social workers professional development or contribute to the development of the profession as a whole.
The GSCC expects training activities to:
- benefit your current employment
- benefit your career progression
- reflect your preferred learning style and make the most of the learning opportunities available to you to form part of your professional development.
Code of Conduct
When you register you have to abide by codes of practice - which applies both to the social worker and the employer. This works much in the same way as it does for doctors and nurses. The GSCC is responsible for investigating complaints from employers, service users and higher educational trainers.
Immigration:
All applicants, including those from the UK, will be asked to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK. This is done by production of a valid passport and supporting visa or other documents from the Home Office.
