Hiring and Sponsoring Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists (SOC Code 2224)

Psychotherapists and Cognitive Behaviour Therapists, classified under SOC Code 2224, are essential healthcare professionals who play a vital role in the mental health sector. Their responsibilities include:

• Assessment and Treatment: They assess and provide treatment for individuals dealing with mental illnesses, stress, and emotional and relationship challenges.
• Patient Interaction: Engaging in meaningful dialogue with patients about their emotions, relationships, and personal histories to establish a therapeutic rapport.
• Analysis: Carefully analysing events, behaviours, and habits to gain insights into a patient’s thought processes and feelings.
• Coping Strategies: Assisting individuals in developing new coping mechanisms and transforming negative thinking patterns into healthier perspectives.

In the context of the growing awareness of mental health issues, the demand for qualified psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists continues to rise. Many healthcare facilities and mental health services are actively looking to recruit skilled professionals from both domestic and international pools. This guide will assist HR professionals in understanding the procedures for hiring and sponsoring psychotherapists under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists?

SOC Code 2224 refers to psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists who assess and provide treatment for individuals facing mental illness, stress, and emotional or relationship challenges. Their responsibilities can include:

• Assessing patients: Evaluating individuals to diagnose mental health conditions and understand their emotional state.
• Providing treatment: Offering therapeutic interventions to address mental health issues and improve emotional well-being.
• Conducting talks: Engaging in discussions with patients about their emotions, relationships, and personal history.
• Analysing behaviours: Observing and interpreting events, behaviours, and habits to gain insights into patients' thoughts and feelings.
• Developing coping strategies: Assisting individuals in devising effective methods to cope with their problems and altering negative thought patterns.

Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists play an essential role in supporting mental health, fostering resilience, and enhancing the quality of life for their clients.

Eligibility to Hire Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists must possess the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience to effectively support individuals facing mental health issues. The requirements include:

• Education: A master's degree or higher in psychology, social work, or a related field; relevant licensure or certification is essential.
• Clinical experience: Experience in a clinical setting providing therapy or counseling to individuals with various mental health disorders.
• Therapeutic skills: Proficient in therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based interventions.
• Communication abilities: Strong verbal and written communication skills to facilitate discussions and document therapeutic progress.
• Empathy and interpersonal skills: Ability to establish rapport with clients and exhibit compassion and understanding towards their experiences.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 2224 and that the therapist’s qualifications and experience meet the expectations for the role.

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

Sponsoring Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists: 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 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists under SOC Code 2224.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists 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 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists 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 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists’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 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists 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 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists

Before the Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists 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 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists 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 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists’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 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapistss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists

Sponsoring Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists under SOC Code 2224 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 Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists under SOC Code 2224 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.