Hiring and Sponsoring Public services associate professionals (SOC Code 3560)

Public Services Associate Professionals, classified under SOC Code 3560, are key management figures within government operations, overseeing essential tasks that facilitate the smooth functioning of various public service departments. Their responsibilities encompass:

• Management of Government Office Staff: 
• • Assigns tasks and responsibilities.
  • Implements procedural changes to adapt to workload variations.
• Support for Senior Government Officers: 
• • Assists with policy-related work and external liaisons.
  • Performs general administrative functions critical to the operation.
• Supervision of Administrative Functions: 
• • Manages recruitment and training processes.
  • Negotiates and arranges contracts.
  • Oversees building and capital management.
  • Monitors and authorizes departmental expenditure.
• Resource Organization for Job Centres: 
• • Coordinates vacancy details and applicant selection.
  • Implements various Job Centre activities.
• Social Security Benefits Administration: 
• • Authorizes payments and assesses the financial circumstances of claimants.
  • Investigates any issues related to state insurance contributions.
• Supervisory Duties in Revenue and Customs: 
• • Manages operations in Revenue and Customs offices, Job Centres, and Benefits Agency offices.
• Public Advisory Roles: 
• • Advises the public and businesses on general tax issues.
  • Arranges for the issuance and examination of tax forms.
  • Computes PAYE codes, tax arrears, and rebates.
• Business Strategy Discussions: 
• • Collaborates with management on strategy, products, services, and client base to identify public relations needs.
• Public Relations Management: 
• • Writes, edits, and organizes the distribution of press releases and public relations materials.
  • Engages target groups through presentations, meetings, and media to enhance the organization’s public image.
  • Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of public relations efforts.

Given the increasing complexity of public service roles, the demand for skilled public services associate professionals is on the rise, prompting organizations to seek talent from diverse backgrounds. This guide is intended to assist HR professionals in navigating the hiring and sponsorship processes for public services associate professionals within the UK's immigration framework.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Public services associate professionals?

SOC Code 3560 refers to public services associate professionals who support government operations and manage various administrative functions. Their responsibilities can include:

• Managing staff activities: Directing the activities of government office staff, assigning tasks, and adjusting procedures based on workload variations.
• Assisting senior officials: Providing support to senior government officers with policy work, external liaison, and administrative tasks.
• Supervising administrative functions: Overseeing recruitment and training, negotiating and arranging contracts, managing building and capital projects, and monitoring department expenditure.
• Organizing resources: Coordinating processes for vacancy recording, selecting suitable applicants, and facilitating Job Centre activities.
• Authorising payments: Verifying social security benefit payments, assessing claimants' financial circumstances, and investigating state insurance contribution issues.
• Conducting supervisory duties: Performing specific tasks related to the operation of Revenue and Customs offices, Job Centres, Benefits Agency offices, and other local government offices.
• Advising on tax issues: Providing guidance to the public or businesses on tax matters, and managing the issuance, receipt, and examination of tax forms, including PAYE codes and tax arrears.
• Developing public relations strategies: Collaborating with management to define public relations requirements, and writing, editing, and distributing press releases and other materials.
• Enhancing public image: Engaging with target groups through meetings, presentations, and events to promote the organization's image, while also monitoring and evaluating the impact of public relations efforts.

Public services associate professionals are integral to the effective functioning of government services, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and positive public engagement.

Eligibility to Hire Public services associate professionals (SOC Code 3411)

Job Requirements

Public Services Associate Professionals must exhibit a distinct set of skills and qualifications to effectively manage government office operations and ensure smooth functioning. These requirements include:

• Supervisory experience: Proven ability to manage and motivate staff, as well as assign tasks and responsibilities.
• Administrative expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of administrative functions within government departments, including recruitment, training, and contract negotiation.
• Financial management skills: Experience in monitoring and authorizing expenditure, along with the ability to assess financial circumstances of claimants and handle social security benefits.
• Government operations knowledge: Familiarity with the functions of Revenue and Customs offices, Job Centres, and Benefits Agency offices.
• Public relations proficiency: Ability to write, edit, and distribute press releases and public relations materials, alongside experience in addressing target groups and enhancing the organization’s public image.
• Communication skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively liaise with senior government officers and the public regarding tax issues and other inquiries.
• Strategic thinking: Capacity to discuss business strategy with management to align public relations efforts with organizational goals.

Ensure that your experience and qualifications align with SOC Code 3560 and meet the expectations for this role.

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

Sponsoring Public services associate professionals: 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 Public services associate professionals under SOC Code 3560.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

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

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Public services associate professionals 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 Public services associate professionals’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 Public services associate professionals 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 Public services associate professionals

Before the Public services associate professionals 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 Public services associate professionals’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Public services associate professionals 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 Public services associate professionals’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Public services associate professionals’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 Public services associate professionalss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Public services associate professionals

Sponsoring Public services associate professionals under SOC Code 3560 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 Public services associate professionals, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Public services associate professionals under SOC Code 3560 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.