International recruitment into adult social care

On arrival you should be greeted by a representative of your new employer, this could be someone from Human Resources, Business Support, or your new line manager. Or it could be a colleague or perhaps someone assigned to be your mentor during those first few weeks and months.

Your employer should supply you with a paper or electronic copy of your employment contract (most paperwork should be completed within the first week).  Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you are unsure of.  You will also need to supply your new employer with your emergency contacts and instructions for accidents or emergencies. 

Further Actions and Discussions: 

• When collecting your Biometric Residence Card (BRC) or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) remember to attend the post office allocated to you upon receipt of your visa.
• There is an option for your BRC/BRP to be collected by a representative. Government guidance can be found here. Please note that on 31 December 2024 all BRCs and BRPs will be replaced by an eVisa. Further information is available at Online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
• You may be introduced to your Buddy, to help you ‘find your way around’ at work and outside of work if required and/or a Mentor (supports your professional/work-related development); the Mentor can also support with personal challenges that impact on work. 
• Discuss your personal and professional development as well as plans for training and induction. 
• Ask about access to work-related digital devices, roster etc. following training. 

Remember to keep the lines of communication open so that if you have any additional questions, access to information won't be a challenge! 

Finding a place to live is one of the anxieties that can come with starting a new job.  Fortunately, there are lots of places to look for information to help you with this including The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and the Welcome pack for new Scots.  The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 promotes equal opportunity, which ensures that all people eligible to live and work in Scotland, have access to housing and housing services.

If you have claimed asylum, you may have been accessing Home Office accommodation and financial support.  However, if you are starting paid employment then you may lose this support as you will no longer be classed as destitute. This means you may have to move out of the accommodation that was provided for you and move into privately rented accommodation.  If this applies to you and you want more advice, contact a legal advisor or Migrant Help.

If you have refugee status, you will have the same housing rights as UK citizens.  This means you can access all housing options including social housing.  For more guidance look at Pre-Employment and Induction Guide for Overseas Workers.

You may begin to identify available and affordable accommodation within easy proximity of your work. These are some of the factors to consider prior to committing to a property:

• Where to look
• What is available in your preferred area
• Deposit requirement
• Ongoing monthly rental fees
• Notice periods for renting
• Council tax payments
• If there are strong protections in place for privately rented tenancies

 There are several types of accommodation you may wish to consider including:

• House of multiple occupancy
• Air BnB
• Existing staff with a spare room
• Nearby key worker accommodation

NHS Scotland has also produced a Step-by-Step Guide to Renting Property in Scotland.

It can be helpful to seek your employer’s support when looking for accommodation within the first 12 months of your employment. Landlords and letting agents may require some form of evidence (letter of employment, salary sacrifice loans for upfront costs) of financial buoyancy to build trust. This may be due to a lack of credit or financial history which must be built over time. Citizens Advice Scotland provides further information on how to build credit.