Care Providers Should Encourage Staff And Service Users To Apply To Eu Settlement Scheme
Most EU citizens need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to ensure they are able to continue to live, work and access funding and services in the UK after 30 June 2021. EU citizens are important to care providers both as staff and clients.
While recent data indicates a high level of applications to the Scheme, the Care Provider Alliance (CPA) is calling on all social care organisations to ensure their staff and people who use their services are aware of the EUSS and how to apply.
The CPA, which represents the ten leading care provider trade associations in England, has today (24 July 2020) published guidance for adult social care providers on the EUSS.
Speaking about the launch for the guidance, CPA Chair, Lisa Lenton said:
“EU care workers, people who use services and families are a vital part of the care sector. We need them to feel secure and confident in remaining in the UK after the transition period ends on 31 December 2020.
“While care providers are not legally obliged to check if people have applied to the scheme, the CPA strongly recommends that they direct people to information on the EU Settlement Scheme, and encourage them to apply where appropriate. COVID-19 has resulted in some delays to applications, so again, it is better to apply as soon as possible. Our new guidance provides all the details needed, and we will be updating our information on a regular basis.”
The guidance is available on the CPA website at https://careprovideralliance.org.uk/euss-guidance-for-care-providers
The CPA recommends that care providers:
- review their business continuity plans to ensure it covers the EU Settlement Scheme and implications for their workforce and people who use their services.
- assess how many members of staff and people who use their service might be affected by the EU Settlement Scheme. They will need to understand if they’re likely to leave the UK before 30 June 2021 or if they might need extra support to apply to the scheme, and what actions care providers can take to manage the implications and reduce any risks.
- ensure relevant staff, people using services and their next-of-kin or advocates, are aware of the EU Settlement Scheme and how to apply.
- encourage and support staff and others to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021.
- provide information and reassurance to staff, those using services and their family or friends.
- ensure staff can direct people using services and carers to information about the EU Settlement Scheme, but ensure they don’t act as formal advisers on the issues or process.
- allocate staff time and resources to the issue. This will vary depending on the scale and type of the organisation. Staff with lead responsibility for workforce contingency planning and engagement with people who use services may be the most relevant leads on the EU Settlement Scheme.