Source: Gov.uk
With an estimated two million EU Nationals working in the UK, the most significant effects on the UK care sector is preparing for any potential disruptions to the adult social care if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Planning for a no-deal Brexit: Information for the health and care sector
The government has collated guidance for industry and organisations involved in health and care about plans for a no-deal Brexit. It includes guidance on medicines and medical products, health and care services, Brexit operational readiness guidance for the health and care system and much more.
» Click here to read the no-deal Brexit guidance
Applying for EU Settlement Status
It is free to apply to this scheme.
If policies restrict the UK care labour supply or the services provided by that labour, it will present problems to a considerable number of employers. UK employers will need to consider what their future care workforce will look like if work arrangements significantly reduce the number of workers available to them.
Furthermore, if Britain crashes out of the EU with a No Deal Brexit, it casts further uncertainty on the future of EU citizens living and working in the UK.
The processing times are an indication of how long it will take to receive your decision on an application to the EU Settlement Scheme based on current performance.
Expected processing times
It usually takes around 5 working days for applications to be processed, but it can take longer.
Your application is likely to take longer to process if:
- there is a need to request more information from you
- you’re applying as a minor and your application is not linked to an adult
- you submit a paper application
- you have a relevant criminal record
- you’re a non-EEA or non-Swiss citizen and are applying based on a relationship you haven’t relied on in a previous application to the Home Office
When your application’s processing time starts
If you apply using the EU Exit: ID Document Check app, the processing time starts when you submit your online application.
If you post your identity document, the processing time starts when your identity documents are received.
If you need to provide fingerprint biometrics as part of your application, the processing time starts once your fingerprint scans have been received.
Time taken to return documents
If you post your identity document, it is usually returned within 3 days of being received. This does not include the time your document is in transit. You should allow 10 days from sending your document.
If you plan to travel soon, you should wait until you return before sending any documents you require for travel.
» For more information, click here
We, therefore, strongly urge all providers to ensure that they are supporting the EU citizens they employ by completing the EU Settlement Application as early as possible.
The deadline for applying is 30th June 2021; or 31st December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
» Applying for EU Settlement Status
Settlement Fee Scrapped
If you paid a fee when you applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll get a refund.
The Government has announced on the 22nd January 2019 that the planned fee to apply for ‘Settled Status’ via the EU Settlement Scheme has been scrapped.
The Home Office EU Settlement Scheme provides EU citizens and their families with a route to living and working in the UK beyond 31 December 2020.
The Home Office has published a short step-by-step guide to help people to navigate the Settlement Scheme process.
They have also developed an employer toolkit, which provides you with a range of tools and information to help you support your EU staff and their families to apply to the scheme.
At HCPA, we have also developed a step-by-step guide for you and your employees to understand this and follow the process through.
» View HCPA’s step-by-step guide
Resources to Prepare Businesses for Brexit
It is vital that providers in the health and care system are prepared to respond to disruptions that affect the future of the EU nationals they employ, which may arise when Britain leaves the EU, with or without a deal.
» Prepare your business for Brexit (Source: gov.uk)
HCPA’s Strategic Partner Support
As a member of HCPA, you are entitled to one advice session free over the telephone with Peninsula Business Services. You are welcome to call them on 0800 028 242 and quote HCPA001.
» View Peninsula’s downloadable Brexit guide
Stay up-to-date
The Government regularly updates it’s guidance for social care providers and sets out the actions you should take before and after the 31st of October 2019 Brexit deadline.
Guidance for healthcare providers is available in the Planning for a no-deal Brexit: information for the health and care sector collection.