Hiring and Sponsoring Youth work professionals (SOC Code 2464)

Youth Work Professionals, classified under SOC Code 2464, are dedicated individuals who play a crucial role in the development and well-being of young people in their communities. 

• Primary Responsibilities:
  • Develop activities to help young people reach their full potential both individually and as active community members. 
  • Build relationships with young people to provide support and guidance throughout various life challenges. 
  • Advise and support those experiencing stress or crises, ensuring they have access to appropriate resources. 
  • Mentor and counsel youth facing mental health issues, helping them navigate their challenges and promoting positive mental health. 
  • Manage volunteers and part-time workers, creating a collaborative environment that supports youth engagement. 
  • Liaise with other professionals to create a holistic support system for young people in need.
  • Maintain records and control budgets, ensuring the effective delivery of youth programs and activities.

With an increasing emphasis on mental health and community support, the demand for skilled youth work professionals is rising. This guide is designed to assist HR professionals in understanding the process of hiring and sponsoring youth work professionals under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Youth work professionals?

SOC Code 2464 refers to youth work professionals who provide activities and support to assist young people in developing and fulfilling their potential. Their responsibilities can include:

• Providing activities: Organizing events and programs that promote personal and social development for young individuals.
• Building relationships: Establishing trust and rapport with young people to create a safe and supportive environment.
• Offering guidance: Advising and supporting young people who are experiencing stress, crises, or personal challenges.
• Mentoring and counseling: Providing mentorship and emotional support to youth facing mental health issues or difficulties.
• Managing teams: Coordinating and overseeing volunteers and part-time workers, ensuring effective collaboration.
• Collaborating with professionals: Liaising with educators, social workers, and other relevant professionals to support youth initiatives.
• Record-keeping and budgeting: Maintaining accurate records of activities and managing budgets to ensure the sustainability of youth programs.

Youth work professionals play a vital role in empowering young people, fostering resilience, and contributing to the overall well-being of communities.

Eligibility to Hire Youth work professionals (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Youth work professionals seeking employment must demonstrate a comprehensive skill set and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Relevant experience: Proven background in youth work, including previous positions or internships in similar environments.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to build relationships, provide guidance, and communicate effectively with young people.
• Mentoring and counseling skills: Experience in mentoring or counseling youth, particularly those facing mental health challenges or crises.
• Education: A degree in social work, psychology, youth studies, or a related field is often preferred.
• Teamwork and Leadership: Experience in managing volunteers and part-time workers while collaborating with other professionals in youth services.
• Budget management: Demonstrated ability to maintain records and control budgets effectively.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 2464 and that the youth work professional’s experience and capabilities 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 work 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 Youth work professionals under SOC Code 2464.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

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

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Youth work 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 Youth work 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 Youth work 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 Youth work professionals

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

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Youth work professionals

Sponsoring Youth work professionals under SOC Code 2464 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 work professionals, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Youth work professionals under SOC Code 2464 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.