Applying for a job in the UK Adult Care Sector

An introduction to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

The GLAA is a UK government agency. Our role is to protect workers from exploitation through prevention, regulation and enforcement.

We investigate forced and compulsory labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and unlicensed activity throughout the UK. We raise awareness of labour exploitation and promote workers’ rights.

We have helped multiple workers in the care sector who have been exploited at work, ensuring they receive the pay and conditions they are entitled to.

Before you travel to the UK

If you are thinking of working in the UK it is important to understand the recruitment process and your employment rights so you do not become a victim of labour exploitation.

There are several things you must check before you travel to the UK.

Do you have a certificate of sponsorship?

Your sponsor will need to apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before you can apply for a visa to work in the UK. This is a record of your details and the job you will be doing.

They will need a licence to apply for a CoS, you can check who has a licence on GOV.UK: Register of licensed sponsors: workers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Your sponsor is responsible for checking you are eligible to work in the UK, so they will need to make sure you meet all the criteria first. They can help you apply for a visa but any advice must be free of charge, you should not pay for any help or services you receive.

Does the job exist?

Before travelling check that the job exists. Contact the company you will be working for by phone or online.

Do you have a UK Health and Care Worker visa?

You can apply online at www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa, where you’ll find all the information you need including:

how to check your job is eligible
how much the visa will cost
what documents you will need to apply

Have you paid any fees to get the job?

You do not need to pay a fee for employment within the UK. It is against UK law for an agency to charge you a work finding fee.

Your employment rights

Your conditions of employment will be set out in the ‘principal statement’ you receive on your first day at work.

You must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage - check the latest rates on GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates.

You should receive a payslip when you are paid which shows your wages and any deductions you have agreed to.

Your wages should be paid into your bank account, on the agreed date.

Check the rest breaks you are entitled to on GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work.

Check your holiday and sick pay entitlements on GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/browse/working/time-off.

Your accommodation should be a good standard and you should not be charged too much for it, or for utility bills.

Your employer is responsible for your health and safety at work. You should have training before starting your job, which you must be paid for, and be given any protective equipment that you need

Your employer cannot

restrict your movements
keep your identification or passport
force you to work extra hours without payment
withhold your wages
deport you.

You will find all this information in our leaflet, 'Applying for a job in the UK adult care sector'. If you would like a version that you can print with crop and bleed marks please contact the Communications team: communications@gla.gov.uk

Additional resources

Our Workers' Rights leaflets are available in 21 languages and explain your rights as a worker in the UK. This includes information about the National Minimum Wage, your payslip, hours of work, deductions from wages and terms and conditions.

Joining a trade union

A trade union is an organisation with members who are usually workers or employees. It looks after your interests at work by doing things like:
• Providing you with advice regarding concerns at work
• Going with you to disciplinary and grievance meetings, should they happen
• Negotiating pay and working conditions with the employer

Anyone, including international workers, can join a union for a small monthly fee. You can search for a care worker union using a search engine on the internet. It is better to join a union before a problem arises, but you can join at any time.

What happens if your employer has their sponsorship licence suspended?

If your employer's sponsorship licence is suspended you can keep working and your rights are unaffected unless the licence is then later revoked.

If your employer has their licence revoked your CoS is cancelled. You have 60 days from the cancellation date to find a new sponsor and make a new visa application to stay in the UK. If you do not make a new visa application then unfortunately you will be asked to leave.

Finding Alternative Sponsorship

If your CoS is cancelled, to remain in the UK you must find new sponsorship or regularise your stay through other immigration routes.

Visit GOV.UK to find a list of alternative sponsors:

Visit GOV.UK to find a list of different types of UK work visas:
https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

Spot the Signs of Labour Exploitation

Modern slavery is a global problem and an international crime, affecting millions of people worldwide, including many victims within the UK. Men, women and children of
all ages and backgrounds can fall victim to labour exploitation, forced to work for little or no pay.

Labour exploitation can be an element of the criminal offences of forced labour or human trafficking, which constitute modern slavery. Our Spot the Signs guide explains how to spot labour exploitation.

There are several ways you can report concerns in the Health and Care sector

Call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline: 08000 121 700 or report concerns online.

Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

Call the GLAA contact centre: 0800 432 0804 or email: Contact@gla.gov.uk

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