In issue #2 of your welcome newsletters, you can find:
- Have you checked out our website?
- Pre-employment checks - are your checks up to date?
- DBS certificates - next steps
- Supported return to work - for postgraduate doctors and dentists
- International Medical Graduates (IMGs) - next steps
- Wellbeing Hub - we are more than just a HR service
 Welcome to Lead Employer...
By now, you've likely had a chance to explore our website, which contains all the essential information about us—your Lead Employer. Throughout the onboarding process and your entire training journey, our website will serve as a key resource for information, contacts, and applications.
Don’t forget to bookmark the site on your desktop so you can easily access details about who we are and what we offer. As you progress through onboarding, be sure to check out our social media pages (linked at the end of this newsletter), where we share important updates and highlight the experiences of fellow colleagues-in-training.
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Pre-employment checks
Have you processed all your pre-employment checks?
All pre-employment documents must be submitted within two weeks of receiving your offer letter.
Our Onboarding Team will be in contact with host organisations to inform them of colleagues who have successfully completed all required checks and are cleared to start on their scheduled dates. These communications will take place prior to your start date.
For August 2025 starters, host communications are scheduled to be sent on the following key dates:
Please note: If you're unable to provide all of your required documents, please inform your administrator as soon as possible so they can support you appropriately.
If you're currently based outside the UK, ensure that you have submitted all documents that can be processed while you are overseas. This includes qualifications, references, proof of English language competency, and international police checks. We understand that certain documents -such as proof of a UK address and your Visa Share Code - can only be provided after your arrival in the UK. Please keep your administrator updated on your travel plans.
We kindly ask for your patience as we process the high volume of documents and reports from the Identity Service provider (IDSP). We will contact you if any additional information is needed. In the meantime, please review the pre-employment checklist to make sure you’ve submitted all necessary documents.
We use the IDSP Verifile to process your Enhanced DBS certificate, as well as to verify your identity documents.
If you already have an Enhanced DBS Certificate that is registered with the DBS Update Service, please send a copy of your certificate to your administrator for processing.
As soon as you receive your certificate, you must email us the following via your TRAC email:
- A copy of your DBS Certificate
- A screenshot confirming your DBS Update Service registration
If you're not yet subscribed, you may wish to apply for the DBS Update Service. You can register while your DBS check is being processed or within 19 days of the certificate’s issue date.
For further information, please refer to the official government Applicant Guide to the DBS Update Service.
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North West colleagues-in-training
Are you a postgraduate doctor or dentist training in the North West who has had a break from clinical practice of three months or more?
NHSE’s North West SuppoRTT Course offers a valuable opportunity to refresh your knowledge and skills across a range of core themes.
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Day 1 will be delivered virtually via Zoom
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Day 2 will be a simulation-based session tailored to your specialty
For more details and dates to book your place, please visit the NW SuppoRTT Course webpage.
The NHS England NW SuppoRTT webpages contain extensive information about the programme, and If you have any questions, feel free to contact the NHSE NW SuppoRTT team.
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Not in the North West region?
Don't worry, each region has its own SuppoRTT pages and can be found via the national NHS England website.
 *Information in this section is for the attention of IMG new starters only.
Certificate of Sponsorship, Visa & Share Codes
Important information
As we prepare to welcome you from overseas, there are several applications and documents we will need to see evidence of before you arrive.
Please see below the list of requirements. If you have any queries on the below, please contact the Helpdesk Team at the below:
Have you applied for your Certificate of Sponsorship (COS)?
It's vitally important that you apply for your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and visa as soon as possible. You can find further information on the NHS England (NHSE) Overseas Sponsorship page. Be sure to check the sponsorship portal regularly for updates on your application progress.
If your current visa is not sponsored by NHS England (NHSE), then you will need to apply for a new skilled worker visa that is sponsored by NHSE before you can begin your training.
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Requesting your CoS from NHS England
Once you have been made an offer via Oriel, the NHSE National Overseas Sponsorship Team will be notified. They will then contact you via email to provide you with log in details to the overseas sponsorship portal, where you can complete all the necessary information required for NHSE to issue your CoS.
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What happens after you receive your CoS?
You should check ALL details on the CoS before making your application to the Home Office for your skilled worker visa, any errors need to be amended before making your application.
In particular please make sure to check:
- All personal details
- Work start and end dates
- Speciality under your job title
- Location (this will be the Local NHSE address not a Trust address)
Once you have confirmed all the details are correct, please send a copy of your CoS to Lead Employer as an email attachment to your Trac administrator.
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Your Visa Application
We recommend that you arrive in the UK at least 28 days before the start of your training programme. When applying for your skilled worker visa, we suggest setting your arrival date as 9th July 2025.
Please note: if you arrive after 16th July 2025, it may cause delays in completing your onboarding checks. The additional time is needed for the team to process your checks, which include the occupational health check (attendance at an appointment may be required), DBS enhanced checks, and identity checks.
Upon arrival, you will be required to open a bank account in the UK (high street bank ONLY) to support in providing UK proof of address, this evidence allows us to process your DBS application.
*Additionally, please forward your visa application evidence to your Trac administrator so we can keep your file up to date.
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Share code
A share code is now required alongside your ID and Proof of UK address to process a DBS application. A share code allows our team to perform an online check of your right to live and work here in the UK.
To obtain your share code you will be required to create a UKVI account. Follow the link and send through your share code alongside your D.O.B to your Trac administrator processing your pre-employment checks.
Further information regarding Lead Employer and pre-employment essentials can be found on our website.
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 "We are more than just a HR service."
Step inside Jubilee Court, our Lead Employer headquarters to see the compassionate care we strive to provide all our colleagues-in-training.
Professor Andrew Rowland, Medical Director, and Natalie Villegas, HR Business Partner, shared how Lead Employer is “much more than an HR service.” Professor Rowland highlights the breadth of support available - from bereavement and financial difficulties to tailored wellbeing services - with dedicated HR advisors always just a phone call away.
Natalie goes on to explain the close collaboration between Lead Employer, host organisations, and NHS England, ensuring every colleague-in-training feels valued and empowered on their training journey.
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