Work for Applicants
Frequently asked Questions
Below is a list of the questions that we are asked most often. If your question isn’t on the list, don’t hesitate to email us on General Enquiries and we’ll be happy to answer your query.
- What’s it like in the UK?
- When you come from overseas, there are always lots of questions about what
life is like here. You might want to contact your local British Embassy and ask
them if they have any information or guidelines about living or working in the
UK, equally your own embassy based here in the UK may be able to provide you
with some information. Get in touch with them and see what they can do – it’s
always useful to know about things such as how to register with a
doctor/dentist, where to go to renew documents etc. Or you could visit
www.1stcontact.co.uk for lots of useful information.
[top] - I have a student visa - can I work for you?
- Student visas limit you to working a maximum of 40 hours per week in the UK,
which unfortunately would not allow you to work for us (our positions require
more than 40 hours per week). You are probably best contacting agencies that
provide daily work as this is more likely to fit in with your visa. For more
information go to: www.ukvisas.gov.uk.
[top] - Can you arrange visas?
- No we can’t. You need to contact your local embassy to find out whether you
are entitled to a visa, and are responsible for applying yourself. The most we
can do is provide a letter of support for an Ancestry visa, although this is at
our discretion and is not given to everyone - we take into account the number of
applicants we have at any particular time before saying whether we can issue a
letter. For more information go to:
www.ukvisas.gov.uk.
[top] - What kind of experience do I need?
- Trained nurses will have the necessary experience. Other people might have
worked for care agencies before or in a residential or nursing home or
equivalent. Or you might have done some voluntary work with local charities,
involving disabled or elderly people. If you have no experience in a caring
capacity then we recommend that you gain some before applying because most of
our work involves providing some personal care. Part-time work in a nursing home
is invaluable and you might also consider doing some relevant training.
[top] - Is there an age Limit?
- Our retirement age is set at 68. This means that we are not able to
accept applications for work from people aged 68 or over.
[top] - How soon can I start work after arriving in the UK?
- We need to see you for an interview here in Oxford, and cannot discuss
positions until we have received three satisfactory references. You will also
need to complete our four day induction training before you can be placed in a
position. Induction training takes place every other week from Tuesday until
Friday and you will need to contact us BEFORE you book you flight over so that
we can book you a place.
[top] - When do you hold interviews?
- We hold interviews on most days here in the UK. Interviews begin at 10am and
last for a couple of hours. You can book an interview several weeks in advance. We also hold interviews in New Zealand at various locations and times. Look at
New Zealand Contact Details for more details.
[top] - How long do I need to work for?
- At present we ask that applicants are available for a minimum of 12 weeks. You do not have to work the 12 weeks all in one go. Shorter periods of work are
sometimes available for Registered Nurses.
[top] - Do I need a driving licence?
- Most of the positions on offer require drivers, and as such we very rarely
take on people without a clean valid licence. If you are a non-driver, then you
are likely to have more success with agencies based in London, as the public
transport there makes a driving licence less essential.
[top] - Can you guarantee that there will be work for me?
- It would be dishonest of us to give you an absolute guarantee of work. So
much depends on your aptitude, your skills and your personal preferences, and
the positions on offer at the time you are available to work. What we do say is
that, subject to satisfactory interview and references, we do our absolute
utmost to find you the position you want as quickly as possible. Your first
position needs to be right for you so you need to bring sufficient funds to
cover you for two or three weeks. Most agencies have a lot of staff looking for
work in our summer months. We welcome experienced carers and nurses at any time
of the year but we are often very short of staff in our autumn and winter months
– October, November, December, January February and March. Double rates are paid
for public holidays over Christmas and New Year.
[top] - Can you guarantee earnings for me?
- You can earn between £4,620 and £6,258 PLUS holiday pay for 12 weeks work.
Higher rates are paid from time to time for specialist placements.
[top] - How do I open a bank account in the UK?
- It can be very difficult for someone newly arrived from overseas
to open a bank account in the UK. You are strongly advised to open a UK bank
account before you leave home. You can usually arrange this through your own
bank at home or through your travel agent. However, currently HSBC Bank in
the UK is offering a passport account to overseas workers. For further
information go to
www.hsbc.co.uk/passport.
[top] - Do I need a police check?
- Yes. You must bring a police check from home dated within 8 weeks of your
arrival in the UK. You will also need to complete an enhanced UK police check when you
arrive. See Police Checks.
[top] - Is there a good time to apply for work?
- We always need to recruit experienced carers and nurses. We are particularly
keen to recruit people for October, November December and/or January, February
and March when we are usually short of experienced carers and nurses. There is
also a great demand for carers and nurses over Christmas and New Year. We pay
double rates for the public holidays over this festive period.
[top] - How do I find you in Oxford?
- Coming from Heathrow or Gatwick Airports, Oxford Bus Company run a 30 minute
service from Heathrow and an hourly service from Gatwick. Telephone +44 1865
785400 or website: www.oxfordbus.co.uk
for current timetables.
Coming from London, first find your way to Victoria Coach Station, and catch the Oxford City Link X90 to Oxford. There is a 15 minute service and it takes about one and three-quarter hours to reach Oxford, depending on the traffic.
Stay on the bus all the way until the last stop in Gloucester Green bus station, which is at the end of George Street in the centre of Oxford. From the bus station turn left into George Street and walk to the end, turning right at the National Westminster Bank into Cornmarket Street. Cross the road and continue past Boots the chemist. Our doorway is located between Republic Clothes Store on the left and the Pret a Manger sandwich shop on the right. Go up the first flight of stairs and turn left past the Tote Bookmakers! You’ll see our door signed Oxford Aunts. Carry on up the second flight of stairs and you’ve reached us!!
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