International Nursing Recruitment - Client Guide

PERMANENT

INTERNATIONAL

NURSE RECRUITMENT Proudly supporting the

V. 1.2

Regulated by

AWARDED FRAMEWORK SUPPLIER

Modern Slavery Statement This statement has been published pursuant to the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Introduction The Modern Slavery Act 2015 made it a legal requirement for companies like Avanta Care Ltd to be socially responsible and protect the human rights of workers. Alongside our legal obligations, our core corporate beliefs include a respect for the rule of law, promoting liberty, enterprise and democracy. To adhere to these beliefs and the law, we must take responsibility for individuals that work with and for us.

This statement sets out the action we have taken during 2020, aimed at ensuring that our business activities and suppliers/partners are free from modern slavery and human trafficking.

Our business and suppliers/partners Avanta Care Ltd is a healthcare organisation employing a workforce with a diverse set of skills. Its main business activities is supplying health care workers to hospitals, care and nursing homes throughout the UK. Avanta Care Ltd also has an online and in-house training centre and owns the website: www.avantacare.com.

We are based in the UK and work internationally. Our operations include training and preparation, sourcing and interviewing candidates, help with relocations, online training, recruitment, technology, marketing, advertising and customer services, including account management.

Policies and Processes We strive to maintain the highest standards of conduct and ethical behaviour from our employees, clients, partners and suppliers: • Policies: We have a variety of policies relating to modern slavery included in our Staff Handbook, which specify what behaviour is expected of our employees in respect of modern slavery • Monitoring: We are continually evaluating modern slavery and human trafficking risks for our suppliers and have identified those where there is a higher potential for modern slavery.

The areas of enhanced risk are monitored by our procurement and compliance teams. We have a procedure of writing to higher risk suppliers on an annual basis to remind them of our policies • Due Diligence: Suppliers must complete our due diligence process, including agreeing to our “Supplier Business Code of Conduct” before working with us. This sets out our requirements that Suppliers provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and act ethically and within the law in their use of labour. We undertake a higher level of due diligence, if there is a higher risk of modern slavery • Whistle-blowing: Our whistle-blowing policy encourages our employees, clients, partners and suppliers, to report any concerns, including any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking

Training and Awareness We highlight our modern slavery obligations as part of our induction training to both internal and external employees. We are planning to establish a programme which will require all staff to complete training on our responsibility to prevent modern slavery. As well as training our employees, we will be raising awareness of modern slavery issues generally and reiterating to our staff the importance of our Supplier Business Code of Conduct.

This statement has been approved by the organisation’s Board of Directors, who will review and update it annually.

We know that to tackle modern slavery, and promote our core beliefs it is essential to monitor and improve our procedures on an on-going basis.

N.Singh Nichola Singh Managing Director

* This statement was approved on Monday, 20th May 2020

Contents 2. About Us 3. Our methods 4-5. Frequently Asked Questions 6-7. Costs & Savings 8. Recruitment process 9. Interview Candidates 10-11. Feedback and reviews

0113 827 2347 | avantacare.com | recruitment@avantacare.com

A little about us...

We are Avanta Care - A healthcare company in the UK, with over 20 years’ recruitment experience.

We supply permanent healthcare professionals into NHS Trusts, PCTs, local authorities, GP surgeries and private care and nursing homes throughout the UK. We’re Leeds-based with operations in the European Union, India and the Philippines. Yet we’re proud to offer a local, agile approach to recruiting healthcare staff.

People say we’re quick to respond - whatever the challenge, and always with the same honest, friendly outlook.

Done well, our job is to match the right people with the right role - We do that with unrivalled screening and checking at the very start of the recruitment process.

We also believe in the power of honest expectations and milestones, as well as fair incentives for hard work.

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0113 827 2347 | avantacare.com | recruitment@avantacare.com

Avanta Care is a trusted supplier of nurses on the HealthTrust Europe framework (HTE). To achieve this status, we had to apply through a rigorous tender process.

HTE hold a strong and long-standing relationship with the NHS, and take a partnership approach to improve healthcare performance.

HTE and Avanta Care are both committed to developing and delivering solutions that support the needs of public sector healthcare providers, including acute hospitals and non-acute healthcare providers, to help achieve their strategic objectives.

Proudly supporting the

Tried and tested methods We bring clarity to international healthcare recruitment, with a step-by-step process for hiring international candidates with valuable knowledge and expertise.

One that builds on our tried-and-tested process for successfully resettling European nursing staff into UK care homes and the NHS for well over a decade.

International Nurse criteria: NURSING DIPLOMA

Nurses have a relevant qualiďŹ cation and work experience in their country of origin

Success is all about retention – given the complexity, time and effort required to recruit internationally.

LANGUAGE EXAMS

Nurses have passed either the IELTS or OET language exam

So respect for individuals committed to relocating their entire life abroad remains at the heart of our process.

Our aim is to support collaborative, elective and ethical international recruitment, which provides value for money, but more importantly improves the healthcare industry.

0113 827 2347 | avantacare.com | recruitment@avantacare.com

NMC COMPUTER BASED TEST

Nurses have passed/are prepared for the NMC computer based test (CBT) NMC

PREPARATION FOR NMC OSCE

Our team are on-hand to prepare and guide the nurse for the OSCE exam

Our team can also assist with:

VISA APPLICATION

ARRANGING TRAVEL TO UK

SOURCING ACCOMMODATION

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Frequently asked questions Why hire internationally?

International healthcare professionals make a huge contribution to the every day running of NHS hospitals and private nursing homes throughout the UK. The industry benefits greatly from this expertise and the different approaches they bring.

In return, they are provided a pathway to career progression, along with all the support they need to develop their skills and qualifications.

The Government has confirmed that the UK needs to increase its workforce to achieve the targets set out in the Long Term Plan and to meet the needs of the population.

How long does the recruitment process take?

In general, from initial enquiry to the nurse beginning work, the application process can take anywhere up to 6 months. However, due to the support our team gives each nurse, the time frame is reduced significantly.

At the point of you interviewing potential candidates, under our guidance the candidate will have already completed a large percentage of the process.

We also have a selection of nurses with NMC Pins who are ready for placement.

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0113 827 2347 | avantacare.com | recruitment@avantacare.com

Do I need a Sponsor Licence?

From 1 January 2021, a new ‘points-based’ immigration system will replace the current rules for workers from outside the UK. Under the new system, nurses will obtain enough points to guarantee a visa.

Employers will need to have a sponsor licence to recruit any worker from outside the UK, including EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. The fees, salary thresholds and skills requirements are also changing.

For more information about obtaining a sponsor licence visit: www.gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers

How thorough is the screening process?

As well as complying with standards set out by NHS frameworks, Avanta Care has many years’ experience vetting and verifying candidates. After well over a decade recruiting healthcare staff from Europe - and further afield in India and the Philippines, we have perfected our screening process.

We thoroughly check:

• People are who they say they are (Identity) • That each professional is registered and qualified to practice • Employment history and legitimacy of references • Right to work (Immigration & visas) • Work health and fitness assessments • Criminal records

Benefits of recruiting permanent international nurses: SAVING MONEY

Save a significant amount on agency costs, which can then be reinvested in other services

IMPROVE STAFF RETENTION

Non-EEA candidates tend to complete a minimum 5 year contract, whilst you have also the chance to extend the contract if desired

CONSISTENCY OF PATIENT CARE

By employing a nurse on a permanent basis, you ensure a consistency of care that cannot be guaranteed by temporary or bank staff

FILL ANY SKILLS GAPS

You can create a sustainable workforce that provides the clinical capabilities you need long-term

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What are the costs involved?

There is an initial cost of recruiting an international nurse on a permanent basis.

These costs, minus our fees and the Immigration Surcharge are reimbursed to the nurse once in the UK. Below is a typical breakdown of the costs involved: NMC Computer Based Test (CBT)

£90.00

NMC registration

£120.00

NMC Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OCSE)

£794.00

Flight to the UK

£500.00

Accommodation in the UK

£1,500.00

Skilled Worker Visa fees

£232.00

IELTS Language exam

£175.00

Transfer from airport to accommodation

£150.00

Total + Our fees: Typically around 12-15% of nurse annual salary

£3,561.00

£3,768.00

Immigration Employer Surcharge

£365.00 - £1,000.00

Sponsorship Licence Fee - Based on company size

£536.00 - £1,476.00

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) - Per application

£199.00

You may have to pay an additional charge for each foreign worker you employ.

This is payable to UK Visa and Immigration and is dependent on company size

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Nurse Reimbursed

per year

Reimbursements and our fees are only payable once the nurse arrives, ready to start work

Call us today to discuss a bespoke payment plan!

0113 827 2347

Fantastic savings year on year!

Although the upfront cost of recruiting a permanent international nurse can seem significant, the huge return on investment in the longer term means that it proves a more cost-effective alternative to employing bank nurses or agency workers.

On average, you can save over £20,000 per year hiring an international nurse, compared to an agency nurse - That could be a saving of over £100,000 for the duration of a 5 year visa Permanent international nurse salary vs. Agency nurse salary over 12 month period:

- No deposit - No upfront fees - No hidden costs - Flexible payment plans

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BANK NURSE (Based on agency rate of £30.00 per hour) AGENCY NURSE (Based on agency rate of £25.00 per hour)

PERMANENT INTERNATIONAL NURSE (Based on a salary of £15.00 per hour)

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Continue patient care 7

The full recruitment process NURSE OBTAINS PIN

Below is a breakdown of the recruitment process, from initial enquiry to placement: CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP

Once the candidate has received their NMC decision letter, you can issue a certificate of sponsorship for authorisation by UK Visas & Immigration

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TALENT INSIGHT Receive profiles of suitable candidates, based on your requirements

The candidate receives their NMC Pin

CANDIDATE RELOCATION Subject to visa approval, the candidate arrives in the UK

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OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT

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OSCE & NMC PIN

If you like a candidate, you will issue them with a conditional offer of employment, subject to their successful NMC registration and visa application

VIDEO INTERVIEW Schedule a video interview with your selected candidate, tailored to your own requirements

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Further information: www.nmc.org.uk /news/coronavirus /test-of-competence

Further information: www.gov.uk/uk-visasponsorship-employers /sponsorship-certificates

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Non-EEA applicants are required to sit the NMC OSCE test within 6 months of arrival.

Once passed, the NMC will issue their Pin

PAYMENT Following the candidate arriving, the relevant fees are payable to Avanta Care Ltd and the candidate reimbursement

0113 827 2347 | avantacare.com | recruitment@avantacare.com

Would you like to interview some nurses?

We have a large database of international nurses ready and available to interview.

Once we understand your needs and requirements, we will send over some profiles of nurses we feel are most suitable.

After you have selected the nurses you are interested in, we will arrange a video interview for a date and time convenient for you.

Video interviews can be conducted over Zoom, Skype, Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger.

Request profiles today!

If the interview is successful, our team will finalise the details, help complete the necessary paperwork and prepare the nurse for travel to the UK.

To request some nurse profiles, please send your requirements to recruitment@avantacare.com.

Once the nurse has arrived in the UK, your organisation will just need to arrange the NMC OSCE.

• How many nurses you may require

Useful Links: • NMC OSCE information: www.nmc.org.uk/news/coronavirus/test-of-competence • Sponsorship: www.gov.uk/uk-visa-sponsorship-employers/sponsorship-certificates

Please include the following:

• If you have a sponsor licence • Any preferences/requirements you may have

What our clients say...

The team takes time to appreciate our concerns, offering ideas and possible solutions. I’d say Avanta are very client focused and take time to understand the needs of our business

D Coleman

Nursing home Manager

Hospital Manager

We needed a nurse at short notice. I contacted Avanta Care after

a colleague had recommended them. The team were very helpful and arranged an interview with a nurse the same day!

I have always had excellent service from Avanta Care.

The team go out of their way to find excellent nurses for me

at short notice. Even when things have not gone quite to plan, Avanta Care have always taken a pro-active response 10

K Rockliff

T Skilvington Nursing home Manager

4.7

Reviews

I have always had a superb service - The team are friendly, helpful and always deliver for us

4.8 out of 5 People with dementia might need a carer who’s bubbly, yet patient like a family member, but still maintaining that professional distance. Avanta get this balance right every time

GOOD

4.5

Reviews

Serious company offering flexibility, payment on time and an amazing recruitment team!

4.3 Such a professional company, a smooth process from start to finish. I would highly recommend this company to anyone sourcing healthcare workers

To view more feedback, visit:

avantacare.com/about-us/testimonials 11

Avanta Care Ltd Junction House Waver Green Pudsey Leeds LS28 7BG

0113 827 2347 | recruitment@avantacare.com | avantacare.com