International recruitment of health and social care personnel: code of practice - March 2023 (revised)

11. Annex D – Reporting concerns about the welfare and employment rights of health and social care personnel

11.1 All concerns relating to the welfare and employment rights of health and social care personnel must be reported to the appropriate authority as set out below.

11.2 The Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate regulates employment agencies and businesses and enforces minimum standards of conduct in the recruitment sector. Anyone can report concerns about the conduct of UK based agencies, including if they are charging work-finding fees or they, or someone they know, have not been paid for all hours worked, by:

• Telephone: BEIS Enquiries on 020 7215 5000 and ask to speak to an EAS Inspector
• Email: eas@beis.gov.uk
• Complete the online complaint form

11.3 EAS has a UK wide remit, however any concerns relating to fees or conduct of non-UK based agencies can also be reported to the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate using the contact details provided above.

11.4 Acas provides advice on the legal minimum wage, working hours and employment agencies. Any health or social care personnel who thinks that they might be being underpaid or their employer has unsafe working practices can report concerns in confidence by:

• Telephone: +44 (0)300 123 1100
• Complete the online form at: Complain about pay and work rights - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

11.5 The Care Inspectorate is the national regulator for care services in Scotland. Any concerns about a care service can be raised by:

• filling in an online form
• calling on 0345 600 9527 between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday
• emailing at concerns@careinspectorate.gov.scot

11.6 Health and social care personnel can also seek support from international diaspora associations. A full list of international nursing associations can be found on page 73 of the International Recruitment Toolkit.