Are you a care assistant; pre-registered nurse or a registered nurse? Perhaps you don’t have a qualification as a nurse, but you need care assistant jobs with sponsorship in Scotland, and you are wondering if this is possible.
Alright, yes, it is possible, and this article will give you a guide on how to go about it, plus getting a visa sponsorship from your employer or agency to work in Scotland, as this gives them a competitive edge in the market when recruiting highly qualified candidates based on their requirements.
Who is a Care Assistant?
A care assistant also known as a healthcare assistant (HCA) is an important figure in patient care. Working under the supervision of healthcare professionals, HCAs provide essential support, including personal care, medication management, and emotional assistance, enhancing patients’ quality of life.
Scotland’s Growing Need for Care Assistants
Amid healthcare workforce shortages in Europe, the demand for healthcare assistants (HCAs) is on the rise. However, HCAs’ skills and education remain unexplored.
With an ageing population, Scotland anticipates requiring 627,000 more care staff by 2030/31. A recruitment crisis in care homes, with 75% reporting job vacancies, further emphasises the urgent demand. Social care workers in Scotland are even transitioning to higher-paying supermarket roles.
The vacancy rate for nursing and midwifery has surged from 4.5% in March 2017 to 9% in September 2022.
Let’s look at these key findings from the Scottish Government on the need for care assistants.
Key Insights on Adult Social Care in Scotland
• In 2020, adult social care employment in Scotland reached 134,640, a 5.7% increase since 2011, largely influenced by housing support and care at home.
• 80% of adult social care workers were female in 2020, with 44% aged 45 and above. They averaged 31 weekly hours, and 86% held permanent positions.
• Brexit and COVID-19 impacted the workforce.
• The sector faced a high 43% vacancy rate in 2020, compared to 11% across all sectors. Care at home, housing support, and care homes for older adults struggled to fill vacancies, revealing a qualifications gap with only 52% having suitable qualifications
• Private sector employers comprised 44% of the workforce. Housing support and care at home and care homes for adults were the largest sub-sectors, employing 56% and 39%, respectively.
• Future projections anticipate a growing elderly population and fewer younger individuals by mid-2045, impacting the supply and demand for adult social care.
Care Assistant Salary Insight in Scotland
Care assistants typically work an average of 37.5 hours per week, often involving shift work, including nights, early mornings, evenings, and weekends. If employed by the NHS, they follow the Agenda for Change (Afc) pay system, starting at Afc Band 2.
With training, advancement to Bands 3 or 4 (as an assistant practitioner) is possible. Terms and conditions differ for those outside the NHS. Currently, the NHS healthcare assistant’s salary ranges from approximately £15,000 to £23,000 per year.
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How to Pursue a Career in Caregiving
If you aspire to work as a care assistant in Scotland, securing a visa requires employment with a Scotland Home Office-approved employer. If you lack caregiving experience, numerous pathways can lead you into the care industry.
We recommend gaining several months to a year of caregiving experience in your home country before seeking positions in Scotland, greatly enhancing your job prospects.
Additionally, you can access free, accredited training in social care in Scotland. Completion of this training provides qualifications and certificates that bolster your job applications in Scotland.
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Care Assistant Qualifications and Training
There are no specific qualifications that are mandatory to become a care assistant, irrespective of the setting. If you’re applying for a care assistant position without formal training, employers generally provide an introductory period for skill development.
Training methods vary, with some offering in-house programmes while others collaborate with colleges or offer apprenticeships. In all cases, appropriate training for your role is essential.
Essential Skills and Requirements for Care Assistant Jobs
According to Jennah Dearden, a nursing recruitment consultant at Clayton Recruitment, formal qualifications are not obligatory for becoming a care assistant; personal initiative plays a significant role in advancement.
On-the-job HCA training covers fundamental nursing skills and leads to the acquisition of the Care Certificate, introduced in 2015 and jointly developed by Skills for Care, Skills for Health, and Health Education England.
Career Advancement Opportunities for Care Assistants
Care assistants, or healthcare assistants (HCAs), can explore diverse pathways for career growth. Some HCAs opt to become health practitioner members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), benefiting from training events and networking opportunities to enhance their skills and advance their healthcare careers.
For those seeking professional development, roles like assistant practitioner and foundation degree programs are available. Experienced HCAs operating at a senior level may secure secondments for university pre-registration programs.
HCAs can also consider formal routes to nursing or midwifery or explore the vast array of allied healthcare professions, including art therapy, dietetics, radiography, speech and language therapy, and more.
By pursuing further studies or foundation degrees, HCAs often progress into various healthcare roles, such as senior healthcare assistants, or transition into different sectors, like education.
How to Secure a Care Assistant Job with Sponsorship in Scotland
Here’s a practical guide to obtaining visa sponsorship in Scotland:
To qualify for a care assistant or HCA visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Hold qualifications as a doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional.
- Work in a health or social care role is eligible for sponsorship.
- Be employed by a Scotland Home Office-approved employer.
- Possess a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer detailing your Scottish job offer. Check out some tips for a successful visa application.
Types of Companies and Organisations Hiring Care Assistants
A diverse array of companies and organisations hire care assistants, spanning care agencies, nursing homes, GP surgeries, private clinics, medical healthcare centres, and the broader NHS.
Websites to Find Jobs in Scotland for Foreigners with Visa Sponsorship
1. Fasthire: Fasthire is a career and education company that helps professionals and students get the best out of their career pursuits. You can order services ranging from abroad job vacancies, CV writing, personal statement review, visa statement writing etc. Fasthire prides itself on delivering quality service to its clients.
Other great websites for finding jobs in Scotland with visa sponsorship include;
2. LinkedIn Scotland
3. Glassdoor
4. Indeed
5. Reeds
6. Careerjet
7. Scotcareers
8. Myjobscotland
9. Scotland jobs
10. Totaljobs
Scotland’s Top Job Agencies
Looking for temporary employment opportunities in Scotland? Here are some reputable job agencies to consider:
- Firstsource Careers (Edinburgh)
- Global Highland (Inverness)
- Reed
- Manpower
- Search
- Stafffinders
- Agency Central
Conclusion
Are you a pre-registered nurse or someone interested in becoming a care assistant in Scotland? This article covers how to secure a visa sponsorship from your employer or agency, offering valuable insights for aspiring care assistants. Discover the demand for care assistants in Scotland, qualifications, salary insights, training options, and the pathway to a successful caregiving career. Explore companies hiring care assistants, websites for job seekers, and the top job agencies in Scotland for visa sponsorships.
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