Guide to Relocating to the UK as a Care Worker

Dami Orimogunje was promised a caregiver job with visa sponsorship in the UK for £10,000. He sold everything that had his name and travelled without telling his family. Unfortunately, the Nigerian company that promised him a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) ghosted him and left him in a difficult situation. 

Many Nigerians have suffered untold hardship from Nigerian companies and friends of friends who defrauded them with caregiver jobs in the United Kingdom. Do you want to relocate abroad as a caregiver? This guide has made it easier to understand what to do in Nigeria before you relocate.

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Who is a caregiver?

A “caretaker” or "caregiver" “refers to a person who takes care of another person. Caregivers support these people in need with things like:

·         Making meals

·         Bathing

·         House chores

·         Dressing

Different Caregiver Jobs in the UK

Some of the different caregiver jobs are:

Aides: They support people with tasks, especially those who are sick or old, and make sure they are okay.

Nannies: Nannies support families by caring for kids or senior family members.

Housemaids: They can do laundry, cook, or clean houses.

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How to Become a Caregiver in the UK

You need:

1.    A current passport and work visa

2.    To be 18 years or older

3.    Register with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS)

4.    Two years of experience helping sick or older adults ( International students undergo short training) 

5.    A valid address in the UK

6.    Pass a background check

Understanding Caregiver Roles and Responsibilities

In the UK, care workers are vital in offering emotional support, personalized care, and assistance to needy people. You can work as a home health aide, live-in caregiver, or personal care assistant to improve the well-being of the people you care for. 

As a result, every caregiver must have empathy, communication, patience, and problem-solving abilities.

Empathy:  A care worker must understand the challenges or needs of the people they support and offer a compassionate approach to helping. 

Patience:  Care workers need the patience to ensure consistency, navigate emotional demands, and stay attentive.

Communication: Effective communication helps caregivers connect with family members, care recipients, and other healthcare professionals to foster trust and understanding.

Problem-solving abilities: A caregiver should have the ability to address challenges within a short period.

The Visa Sponsorship for Caregivers

With a visa sponsorship for caregivers, these professionals enjoy privileges and legal rights like access to social benefits and work authorization. With a sponsorship, migrants find it easier to blend faster with the UK environment and system.

In addition, securing a caregiver job with visa sponsorship offers you a rewarding time in the UK. 

Application Process and Requirements

Here is a breakdown of what it takes to secure a caregiver job with visa sponsorship in the UK:

Research

You should research certifications and training programmes relevant to your role as a care worker. Many online platforms offer care worker education to help you secure a job faster. In addition, you should review the curriculum and ensure the training you want to undertake meets the UK

 requirements.

Gain Relevant Experience

You can work in a similar work environment before applying for a caregiver job or relocating abroad for this type of job. Many work as part-time caregivers or volunteers to gain valuable experience in local hospitals, community organizations, or nursing homes. 

Build a Network

 You can build a network by attending workshops, seminars, or conferences related to this field. Some people join social media groups or online forums focused on caregiving before they relocate. When you build a network, it can lead to referrals, valuable connections, and insights.

Tailor Cover Letters and Resumes 

You should customize your resume and cover letter to suit every caregiver job in UK. Learn. A potential care worker should highlight relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences, including showing problem-solving skills, communication abilities, empathy, and patience.

Prepare for Interviews

You may attend a series of interviews for a caregiver job. You should research your potential employers and what they need from you. Familiarize yourself with values, missions, and information related to employers. Practice interview questions online to help you boost your confidence. 

If you receive a job offer in Nigeria, you can work with your prospective employer for a visa sponsorship. The employer will support you to ensure you have the required documentation.

Caregiver Salary Range in the UK

Salary ranges depend on qualification, experience, and location. The average salary for a caregiver is £23,156 per year or £11.88 per hour. Entry-level positions start at £20,963 annually, while most experienced workers make up to £30,323 annually.

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How Many Hours Do Caregivers Work?

Full-time care workers can work at least 35 hours per week depending on the needs of the client and the type of care required.

How do you Land a Care Job in the UK from Nigeria?

Care Jobs is on the Shortage Occupation List, meaning employers can recruit employees from any country.via the Health and Care Visa 

Find a Caregiver Job 

You can apply for UK caregiver jobs on different job websites.

Customize CV to NHS Standard

The CV is the first contact with employers. You might not get a job offer if you don't have a CV optimized to the NHS standard.

Certifications

Many employers demand an NVQ3 Certification or its Diploma in Health and Social Care equivalent as a minimum requirement. 

Note: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is free. 

Proof of English Proficiency 

You may have to provide Level B1 on the common European framework of reference for language (CEFR) scale.

1.    Pass a UKVI IELTS test with a minimum 5 band average from an approved provider.

2.    Having a degree-level qualification taught in English. Candidate needs to apply for confirmation through UK NARIC that their qualification is equivalent to a UK educational degree. 

How to Apply for UK NARIC?

1.    Open an account with https://www.ecctis.com/Signup.aspx?option=1

2.    Fill in the credentials.

3.    Select option one and fill out the Form.

4.    Upload transcript, degree certificate, and MOI (medium of Instruction) Letter from school.

5.    Pay fees along with the postal package.

6.    Apply.

Right to work in the UK

The UK government requires employers to check their employees have the right to work in the country. The right to work as a carer includes:

• An international student with a study permit 
• A British citizen
• A certificate of registration or naturalization as a British Citizen, together with an official document showing their national insurance number
• UK Government Share Code, proving the right to work in the UK
• Frontier Worker Permit
• Right of Abode in the UK or a UK Ancestry visa due to grandparents, parents, or spouse being born in the UK
• EU pre-settled or Settled status
• If none of these apply, the employer must be licensed by the Home Office to sponsor a Skilled Worker Visa to work in the UK.
• A  UK bank account and a registered address or PO Box in the UK.

How do I find care jobs in the UK?

You can use the following job sites:

• CV Library
• Total jobs
• Indeed

Conclusion 

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