Hiring and Sponsoring Social workers (SOC Code 2461)

Social Workers, classified under SOC Code 2461, are essential professionals in the health and social care sector, dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals and communities at risk. Their role encompasses a wide range of duties, including:

• Liaising with Other Professionals: Collaborating with other health and social care agencies to identify individuals in need of support within the local community.
• Conducting Assessments: Interviewing individuals and groups to evaluate and review their difficulties, ensuring a thorough understanding of their circumstances.
• Documentation and Reporting: Undertaking and writing up assessments to specified standards, maintaining detailed case records, and preparing reports for relevant stakeholders.
• Arranging Support Services: Identifying appropriate counselling services or assistance, including financial or material help, to address the needs of service users.
• Developing Care Plans: Organising and structuring support tailored to service users’ requirements, ensuring comprehensive care programs are established.
• Court Participation: Providing evidence in court when necessary, contributing to legal proceedings related to social work cases.
• Team Collaboration: Actively participating in team meetings, training, and supervision to enhance professional development and service delivery.

With an increasing demand for qualified social workers in the UK, many organizations are seeking skilled individuals, including those from abroad. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in navigating the challenges of hiring and sponsoring social workers under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Social workers?

SOC Code 2461 refers to social workers who provide support and assistance to individuals and groups in need within the community. Their responsibilities can include:

• Liaising with professionals: Collaborating with health and social care professionals and agencies to identify individuals at risk or in need of support.
• Conducting interviews: Assessing individuals and groups to review their challenges and needs.
• Writing assessments: Undertaking and documenting assessments that meet specified standards.
• Arranging assistance: Coordinating further counselling or financial/material help for those in need.
• Organising support: Developing care plans tailored to the specific needs of service users.
• Maintaining records: Keeping detailed case records, preparing reports, and actively participating in team meetings.
• Providing court evidence: Testifying in court as needed to support cases related to service users.
• Participating in training: Engaging in ongoing training and supervision to enhance skills and knowledge.

Social workers play a vital role in promoting the well-being of individuals and families, advocating for social justice, and fostering community resilience.

Eligibility to Hire Social workers (SOC Code 3411)

Job Description for Social Workers (SOC Code 2461)

1. Job Requirements

Social workers must possess specific qualifications, skills, and experience necessary to effectively support individuals and communities. These requirements may include:

• Education: A degree in social work or a related field is often required; a master's degree in social work (MSW) can be advantageous.
• Licensure: Must be licensed or registered as a social worker in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Experience: Relevant experience in social services, counseling, or community support roles, demonstrating the ability to work with diverse populations.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interview individuals, document cases, and prepare reports.
• Assessment Skills: Proficiency in conducting assessments to evaluate individuals' needs and develop appropriate care plans.
• Collaboration: Ability to liaise with other health and social care professionals and agencies to coordinate support services for clients.
• Crisis Intervention: Experience in crisis management and the capacity to provide immediate support to individuals in urgent need.
• Record Keeping: Competence in maintaining accurate case records and documentation in compliance with agency policies and legal requirements.
• Court Preparedness: Familiarity with legal processes and the ability to give evidence in court when required.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 2461 and that the social worker's 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 Social workers: 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 Social workers under SOC Code 2461.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

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

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Social workers 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 Social workers’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 Social workers 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 Social workers

Before the Social workers 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 Social workers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Social workers 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 Social workers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Social workers’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 Social workerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Social workers

Sponsoring Social workers under SOC Code 2461 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 Social workers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Social workers under SOC Code 2461 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.