A welcome pack serves as a crucial resource to provide essential information to incoming overseas care workers. This checklist has been adapted from a template developed by the NHS South East region.
Welcome pack
Pre-Arrival
- Employment contract
- Reasonable adjustments and how to request them
- Salary deductions – income tax (including emergency tax), national insurance
- Payroll information – pay date, frequency of payments, etc.
- Pension scheme
- Maternity benefits and pregnancy guidance
- Working in the UK Adult Social Care sector, the regulatory context (CQC), career progression – see our Careers section for stories about care career journeys
- Information on subsidised accommodation provided – address, type of accommodation, etc.
- Information on what will be provided regarding food provision on arrival
- What to bring for arrival (towels, toiletries, clothing, shoes, electrical adaptors etc.)
- Welcome letter, include a named person and contact details
- Pre-arrival meetings to go through departure and arrival information. Perhaps invite previous cohorts to meetings to help build connections.
- Information on keeping in touch methods (Group online video calls, WhatsApp/Facebook groups, etc)
- Airport pick-up and transport arrangements
- Important documents to bring in hand luggage
- Itinerary of first few days in the UK
- Time system (GMT)
- Electrical devices – voltage and plugs required
- Drinking water
- Living in the UK – including the four seasons, temperatures and weather
- Legal system and age limits
- Idioms and colloquialisms
- Telecomms (4G/5G etc)
- National currency – guide around notes and coins, cash machines, use of chip and pin cards, difference between debit and credit cards
- Cost of living information including average rental/house prices, transport costs, food, nursery fees, utility bills, TV licence, broadband, etc.
- Information on how utility bills work and are paid in the UK
- Mobile phone – monthly, pay as you go, including costs
- General overview – social life, diversity, history, tourist destinations
- Schools and nurseries in the local area
- Where to buy culturally specific food
- International social groups
- International hairdressers
- Local religious institutions
Arrival and Beyond
- Organisation overview (history, mission, values, etc.)
- Organisation structure – meet the team
- Equality, diversity and inclusion policy
- Buddying and peer support information
- Map of site(s) including full address, website links, etc.
- Employment contract & staff handbook (annual leave, other leave, sickness policy, overtime, dress code, benefits, etc.)
- Mandatory and statutory training
- Training and how to access
- Progression opportunities
- Information on how things work in new accommodation (e.g. gas/water/electricity meters, heating system, smoke/security alarms, doors/windows, etc.)
- Support for finding accommodation – loan system (if applicable), guarantor information, rental agencies, how the rental system works, what a house of multiple occupancy means
- Home ownership in the UK – information on buying your own property
- Advice for advising landlords on visa process for dependents
- Information on where to buy household items, including local charities
- Bank account – chip and pin, contactless etc.
- Expenses process, how to make a claim and what is generally covered
- Information regarding the prevention against fraud and scams
- GP, dentists, pharmacists, hospitals, urgent care centres, emergency services, sexual health services (including addresses, maps, how to register, prescription charges and costs)
- Homesickness support
- Talking therapies, wellbeing apps/websites, etc.
- Covid information (if applicable)
- Clothing sizes in the UK and comparison of sizes
- Postal service in the UK, including approximate costs
- Public transport – options available including payment, links to apps, timetables etc.
- Driving – Highway Code, British licence application process, driving lessons, insurance information
- Vehicle access (if relevant)
- Cycle, e-scooters hiring (if relevant)
- Embassy information
- Information on Citizens Advice Bureau
- Where to get support – see our Support for overseas workers section
- How to apply for a biometric residence permit
- Bringing family/dependents to the UK
- Visa extension process and costs
- Visa restrictions – no recourse to public funds, working time directive, secondary employment, etc.