Hiring and Sponsoring Youth and community workers (SOC Code 3221)

Youth and Community Workers, classified under SOC Code 3221, are dedicated professionals who play a crucial role in fostering community development and engagement. Their responsibilities encompass a variety of activities, including:

• Organising social, recreational, and educational activities within local community and youth groups.
• Managing the daily operations of community centres and providing supervision to part-time and voluntary workers.
• Collaborating with and supporting volunteers leading groups in diverse settings, such as village halls, churches, mosques, and other places of worship.
• Advising individuals with specific needs or challenges through informal discussions, individual counselling, or formal group discussions.
• Facilitating the establishment of credit unions, promoting the formation of playgroups, and partnering with other organizations to address shared concerns or issues.

With the ongoing emphasis on community building and social cohesion in the UK, the need for skilled youth and community workers is increasingly recognized. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in understanding the process of hiring and sponsoring youth and community workers under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Youth and community workers?

SOC Code 3221 refers to youth and community workers who organize social, recreational, and educational activities within local communities and youth groups. Their responsibilities can include:

• Organizing Activities: Planning and facilitating social, recreational, and educational programs in community settings.
• Community Centre Management: Overseeing the day-to-day operations of community centres, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Supervising Workers: Managing and supervising part-time staff and volunteers, ensuring effective execution of community programs.
• Liaison with Volunteers: Collaborating with voluntary workers to support and enhance group activities in various venues such as village halls, churches, and mosques.
• Providing Guidance: Advising individuals facing specific needs or challenges through informal discussions, one-on-one counselling, or formal group discussions.
• Community Development Initiatives: Assisting in the establishment of credit unions, encouraging parental involvement in playgroups, and collaborating with different groups to address common concerns.

Youth and community workers play an essential role in fostering community engagement and support, empowering individuals, and promoting social cohesion.

Eligibility to Hire Youth and community workers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Youth and community workers must demonstrate their ability to engage with and support diverse community members and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Relevant Experience: Previous experience in community service, youth work, or a related field, showcasing an understanding of community dynamics.
• Organizational Skills: Proven ability to organize and facilitate social, recreational, and educational activities within community settings.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication and relationship-building skills to effectively liaise and support voluntary workers and community members.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to address individual needs or problems through informal discussions and formal group discussions.
• Commitment to Community Engagement: Experience or involvement in setting up initiatives such as credit unions, playgroups, or collaborative community solutions.
• Education: While formal qualifications may not always be required, a degree or certification in social work, community development, or a related field can be advantageous.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 3221 and that the youth and community worker’s experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

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

Sponsoring Youth and community 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 Youth and community workers under SOC Code 3221.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

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

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Youth and community 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 Youth and community 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 Youth and community 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 Youth and community workers

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

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Youth and community workers

Sponsoring Youth and community workers under SOC Code 3221 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 Youth and community workers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Youth and community workers under SOC Code 3221 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.