The rising prison population in the UK and the ethnic and cultural diversity of offenders has created a demand for qualified and experienced probation officers to work with offenders and young offenders who have a higher risk of re-offending.
Vacancies for probation officers are also spiralling, with around 400 vacancies in London alone filled by agency staff.
The need to recruit suitably qualified and skilled non-EEA probation officers to meet the skills shortage and diversity of the prison population can, however, be challenged by current Tier 2 restrictions.
Duncan Lewis business immigration solicitors can advise public and private employers on the international recruitment of probation officers, who are eligible to work in the UK under the regulations covering occupations skilled to NQF Level 6.
Duncan Lewis business immigration lawyers frequently advise on Tier 2 applications – as well as advising on recruiting recent overseas graduates who have qualified in the UK.
Any Tier 2 applicants can be sponsored for jobs in certain occupations – and the government has drawn up a list of eligible occupations for probation officers wishing to apply for a Tier 2 visa to take up a position in the UK.
UK Visas & Immigration regulations set out in the Codes of Practice for Skilled Workers such as probation officers.
Under the regulations, the sort of roles within a company that would be eligible for a Tier 2 visa application include:
UK Visas & Immigration rules also set out the types of duties a probation officer role might involve to qualify for a Tier 2 visa, including:
The current minimum salary range for a probation officer applying for a Tier 2 UK visa would be £24,600 for an experienced member of staff – and £20,500 for a new entrant, or £12,500 for applicants who entered Tier 2 under the Rules in place before 6 April 2011 and are not subject to the experienced worker rate.
Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2013.
Applying for a Tier 2 visa for a probation officer joining your UK operation requires expert legal advice on the preparation of the visa application to ensure no delays occur – any delays in the Tier 2 visa application process might potentially jeopardise the timely take up of a probation officer appointment.
Duncan Lewis immigration experts are one of the UK’s leading specialist immigration and business immigration solicitors, with a highly successful track record in advising companies and professionals on business immigration and the UK visa application process.
Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers have offices nationwide and in most major cities – and our national and London immigration lawyers regularly advise on the recruitment of high-calibre, non-EEA staff, including:
Duncan Lewis business immigration experts are also able to advise on visa appeals for probation officers wishing to take up appointments in the UK.
As immigration specialists, Duncan Lewis is ranked by Legal 500 2015 for its business immigration services.
For further information on UK visa applications for Probation Officers, call Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409 for a FREE initial consultation.