Hiring and Sponsoring Child and early years officers (SOC Code 3222)

Child and Early Years Officers, classified under SOC Code 3222, are dedicated professionals who specialize in addressing the challenges associated with children's education and welfare. Their work is vital in fostering positive outcomes for children and families facing difficulties, particularly in relation to issues of school attendance. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Addressing Poor Attendance: Focus on identifying and resolving issues related to school attendance, working directly with children and their families.
• Collaborative Support: Partnering with social workers to plan and deliver tailored support for families experiencing various challenges.
• Resource Guidance: Advising clients and their families on available resources and support systems to improve their circumstances.
• Documentation: Writing up detailed case notes, preparing reports, and maintaining up-to-date records on clients' progress and interventions.
• Referral Services: Making appropriate referrals to additional services such as social services and educational psychologists to ensure comprehensive support.
• Interdisciplinary Meetings: Attending meetings with colleagues and external agencies to discuss cases and share insights for better outcomes.

With the increasing recognition of the importance of early intervention and support, the demand for skilled Child and Early Years Officers continues to expand. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in effectively navigating the hiring and sponsorship process for these essential roles within the UK's immigration framework.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Child and early years officers?

SOC Code 3222 refers to Child and Early Years Officers who focus on addressing issues related to school attendance and supporting families in need. Their responsibilities can include:

• Addressing attendance issues: Assessing and responding to poor attendance at school.
• Collaboration with social workers: Working alongside social workers to identify, plan, and deliver appropriate support to families facing various challenges.
• Advising families: Providing guidance and resources to clients and their families regarding available support services.
• Documentation: Writing case notes, preparing reports, and maintaining up-to-date records on clients.
• Making referrals: Recommending clients to other agencies such as social services and educational psychologists when necessary.
• Participating in meetings: Attending meetings with colleagues and external agencies to discuss case management and collaborative efforts.

Child and Early Years Officers play a vital role in supporting children's welfare and educational success, fostering positive family relationships, and contributing to community well-being.

Eligibility to Hire Child and early years officers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Child and early years officers must possess specific qualifications and skills to effectively assist families and address issues concerning school attendance. The required criteria include:

• Educational Background: A degree in early childhood education, social work, or a related field is highly beneficial.
• Experience: Proven experience working with children and families in a supportive role, particularly in an educational or social services context.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities to advise clients, prepare reports, and document case notes accurately.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong relationship-building skills to foster trust and rapport with families, children, and colleagues.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify challenges faced by families and develop tailored strategies and resources for support.
• Collaboration Experience: Experience working alongside multi-disciplinary teams, including social workers and educational psychologists, to coordinate and deliver comprehensive support.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 3222 and that candidates’ experience and qualifications meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Child and early years officers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Child and early years officers under SOC Code 3222.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Child and early years officers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Child and early years officers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Child and early years officers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Child and early years officers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Child and early years officers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Child and early years officers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Child and early years officers

Before the Child and early years officers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Child and early years officers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Child and early years officers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Child and early years officers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Child and early years officers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Child and early years officerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Child and early years officers

Sponsoring Child and early years officers under SOC Code 3222 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Child and early years officers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Child and early years officers under SOC Code 3222 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.