Code of Practice for International Recruitment
About Us
What we stand for
The UK is committed to ensuring ethical recruitment practices operate within the UK’s public and private health and social care sectors through adherence to the Code of Practice for international recruitment.
On the 2nd of August 2022, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHCS) published a revised Code of Practice for the international recruitment of health and social care staff in England.
The new Code is based on the principles set out in the World Health Organisation’s (WHOs) global code of practice which will ensure effective, fair and ethical treatment of workers which should be embedded across every part of the health and social care systems.
The Code sets out responsibilities for recruiters, employers, and the government on how to maintain ethical recruitment on an ongoing basis.
Guiding Principles
- International migration of health and social care personnel can make a contribution to the development and strengthening of health and social care systems to both countries of origin and destination countries if recruitment is managed properly
- Opportunities exist for individuals, organisations and the health and care systems to train and educate and enhance their clinical practice
- There must be no active international recruitment from countries on the red list, unless there is an explicit government-to-government agreement to support managed recruitment activities that are undertaken strictly in compliance with the terms of that agreement
- Recruitment of international health and social care personnel is closely monitored and reported on to the Cross Whitehall International Recruitment Steering Group and the WHO
- International health and social care personnel will have the same legal rights and responsibilities as domestically trained staff in all terms of employment and conditions of work. They will have the same access to further education and training and continuous professional development
Best practice benchmarks
- There is no active recruitment of health and social care personnel from countries on the red country list
- All international recruitment by health and social care employers, agencies, recruitment organisations, recruitment collaborations and contracting bodies will follow good recruitment practice and demonstrate a sound ethical approach
- International health and social care personnel will not be charged fees for recruitment services in relation to gaining employment in the UK
- All international health and social care personnel will have the appropriate level of English language to enable them to undertake their role effectively and to meet registration requirements of the appropriate regulatory body
- All appointed international health and social care personnel must be registered with the appropriate UK regulatory body
- All international health and social care personnel required to undertake supervised practice, by a regulatory body, should be fully supported in this process
- All international health and social care personnel will undergo the normal occupational health assessment prior to commencing employment
- All international health and social care personnel will have appropriate preemployment checks including those for any criminal convictions or cautions as required by UK legislation
- All international health and social care personnel offered a post will have a valid visa before entry to the UK
- Appropriate information about the post being applied for will be made available to a candidate at an early stage so international health and social care personnel can make an informed decision on whether to accept a job offer
- Recruiters, contracting bodies and employers must observe fair and just contractual practices in the employment of international health and care personnel
- Any repayment clause included in an employment contract must abide by the 4 principles of transparency, proportionate costs, timing and flexibility
- All newly appointed international health and social care personnel will be offered appropriate support and induction. As part of this employers and contracting bodies should undertake pre-employment/placement preparation activity to ensure a respectful working environment for all
- Health and social care employers and contracting bodies should respond appropriately to applications from international health and social care personnel who are a direct application
- Health and social care employers, recruitment organisations, agencies, collaborations and contracting bodies should record international recruitment activities. This will support the UK to monitor and measure the impact of international recruitment flows on the health and social care sector in both the country of origin and the UK