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This issue majors on International Recruitment Support, with important information to ensure this activity complies with the both the law and ethical good practice.
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International Recruitment Support Update: Compliance Support
In May 2024, the government announced the international recruitment fund for the adult social care sector 2024-25. This is funding a range of activities by the Devon Alliance for International Recruitment, which have been well-publicised in this newsletter.
A rise in Non-Compliance
Over the past year, alongside an increase in international recruitment of care staff which has had a positive influence on care sector capacity, unfortunately there has also been a rise in reports of noncompliance with regulatory frameworks and updates and/or unethical employment practices. This has led to suspensions or revocations of a number of providers’ licenses. In such situations international recruits become highly vulnerable and continuity of service is threatened.
The Devon system experience has largely been positive, and the Devon Alliance aim is to respond in a supportive way to the increase in reports of suspensions and revocations of recruitment licences in your area. We will have a focus on preventative work with providers; supporting providers in understanding statutory and regulatory requirements and how to comply with the same. We will also offer targeted support to them and international recruits in the sector. This includes links to existing training and resources.
The Devon Alliance for International Recruitment will act as a ‘redeployment hub’, facilitating, signposting of existing (already in county with a valid CoS) overseas recruits who have been displaced (‘Redeployees’), owing to international recruitment licences being revoked.
During the period of approx. 60 days, displaced individuals will have the ability to work with regional partnerships via the redeployment hub to find alternative employment within the sector with a trusted sponsor.
Please send vacancies to the Alliance
For signposting to work effectively, providers will need to supply vacancy details to devonalliance@nhs.net on a regular basis. In turn, the ‘redeployment hub’ will advertise to providers the details of redeployees for their consideration. It is stressed that in this capacity the Devon Alliance will not be acting as an Employment Agency but will work within the confines of regulations detailed below. The Redeployment Hub will be reaching out to providers over the coming days.
Consequences of Non-compliance
If a sponsor loses their licence, individual Certificates of Sponsorship are cancelled. International Recruit (IR) visa is limited to 60 days (or however long IR has left on the visa if it’s less than 60 days).
On licence revocation the IR must leave their job and leave the UK unless they make a new visa application within that time. The proposed solution will be a single point of support from multiple points of access for entry to detailed support process (Health & Care Workers applying from inside UK “Undefined CoS”).
Providers (individually or as a consortium) cannot place people in employment unless they follow the legislation on recruitment which effectively means they become a recruitment agency, and this requires them to meet the relevant legislation Regulation 19 Health and Care Act.
Any job signposting activity must be compliant with Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the associated regulations The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses 2003.
Local queries
As well as using the online resources, if you have and queries about the support available locally, please email: adultsc.qualitycontract-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Falls Awareness Week Events from 16- 20 September
Falls Awareness Week runs from 16-20 September and tere are two events which may be of interest to those seeking to prevent falls.
Positive Risk Taking in Falls Management (reducing deconditioning) Care Homes Webinar on 18 September from 2- 2.30pm
A brief overview to encourage activity in residents, taking a positive risk attitude to include residents in everyday life in the home
Aims to raise awareness of the:
- Meaning of deconditioning
- Effects of deconditioning
- Strategies to reduce deconditioning
- Positive risk taking and deconditioning
Presented by Jane Reddaway, Anita Sharland and Liz Eyres (TSDFT Community Falls Lead/Occupational Therapists).
Bookable via the Hive (for those who have access) which will include the link
Adult Social Care Network: ‘Preventing falls’ online event on 19 September from 10am-12.30pm
This event is designed to explore the ways in which adult social care can support the NHS to prevent/reduce avoidable admissions, improve the transfer of care, improve the patient flow, support reducing the length of stay in hospital and look at how research, innovation and tests of change can support long-term improvements and impact on patient experience.
Adult Social Care Network - Preventing Falls - Health Innovation South West
Camphill's fund raising Sleep Out - Good News Story
Camphill Devon Community Limited resident’s did a sponsored camp out to raise the funds for some silent disco equipment. There was a “go fund me” page on our Facebook page and generous staff agreed to sponsor the individuals who camped out for the whole night. It was a great experience for the people who took part. Many thanks to the legends Kelly and Maria for organising the evening and for volunteering to “sleep out” with the residents. They raised £1134!
Home Page - Camphill Devon
Remember to share your good news stories in this newsletter
Has your support helped transform someone’s life? Have you got innovative practice to share? Send us your celebratory photos and words and we will help share good practice.
Revisit previous good news stories
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