Live-in Work Opportunities in the U.K.

If you are not British or English is not your first language please read this page before you apply for work.

Important: we cannot offer you work until after you have obtained a visa or other right to work in the UK.

Are you eager to spend an enriching and memorable year abroad?

Do you want to experience authentic British life?

Would you like to make lifelong friends in the U.K.?

Britain has it all: the beautiful countryside of the South Downs and the Yorkshire Dales; quaint villages full of history and legend; the breathtaking scenery of Scotland and the Lake District; the excitement of some of the world’s most vibrant cities - and all within easy reach of the continent! Take the ferry from England to France, Ireland or Spain; a high-speed train from London to Paris; or a 2-hour plane trip to the Alps, the Mediterranean or Germany’s infamous Oktoberfest.

Live-in care work with Consultus offers a great opportunity to do all these things while earning good money to pay for it all.

With Consultus you choose the time when you are available to work.

While you can come to Britain and work for Consultus at any time you may be placed more quickly and enjoy more choice if you can start work before the British wintertime. This way you should have made enough money to enjoy Europe’s summer too!

What we first need from you

You will need to prove to us that you have the right to work in the UK before we can begin to look for work on your behalf. Therefore, if you are from another country and thinking of finding work in Britain please ensure you meet all the necessary requirements before you apply and that you prepare fully before you leave your home country.

The main requirement for all foreign applicants who do not speak English as their first language is that they can speak and understand English very well (if you have trouble understanding this page you probably do not have enough fluency to pass an interview with Consultus). This is particularly true for nurses and carers who live with and work for clients in their own homes. Our clients are usually elderly and often confused, hard of hearing or disabled with complicated needs. Sometimes they live a long way from their families and their nurse or carer is their only regular link with the world. It is important that our clients can hold a conversation and interrelate with the person who is living in their home.

Before you apply it will also help to have a valid EU, UK, International or other valid driving licence; and a valid UK work permit/visa (if applicable). Room and board is provided when you are working but bear in mind that you will need somewhere to stay between assignments.

European Union, EEA* and Switzerland

There is free movement of people between the EU nations and any citizen of a European Union member state has an unrestricted right to live and work in the UK. Citizens of other countries that have become part of the larger European Economic Area share many of the same rights, as do Swiss nationals. However you will need to prove that you are from one of these countries before we find you work. You must therefore produce your EU identity card or passport at your interview.

Citizens of the eight new eastern European EU countries should note that because our live-in care positions are self-employed (you make your own arrangements to pay tax from your earnings to the U.K. government) you do not need to register for work with the Home Office.

South Africa

Applicants will be pleased to know that they can be interviewed and allocated care work before they leave for the UK. Please click here for our contact details.

Nurses

In order to work as a nurse in the UK you need to register with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). Registration may take a few months so you are advised to start this process well before your visit. Non-registered nurses may work as carers. Consultus does not offer NMC adaptation training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in the UK?

You have an automatic right to work in the UK if you have a valid UK, EU, EEA* or Swiss passport. You may also work if you have an appropriate visa or other permission to work:

Visas

You can apply for a visa at your nearest British Mission (British High Commission, Embassy or Consulate). For more information, a list of British missions and to find out if you need a visa visit The Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Work Permits

Work Permits UK usually issues work permits only for jobs requiring people with degree level professional qualifications, people who work at a senior level, or for areas in which there is a particular skills shortage. Work permit applications can only be made by a UK employer who has a specific ‘permanent’ job to offer a named person. Consultus offers only temporary nursing work and self-employed care assignments. We regret that this work will not entitle people to get a work permit who do not otherwise have the right to work in this country.

* EEA countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK. Switzerland nationals also receive the same rights in this regard.

I am a nurse in my own country. Can you help me get a NMC adaptation course?

You need to be registered with the NMC in order to work as a qualified nurse in the UK. However, because we do not offer permanent employment we cannot help you apply for adaptation.

Can I have an interview in South Africa?

We have our own recruitment consultants in Cape Town and Pretoria, who can interview you, process your application and perhaps arrange work for you before you leave for England. However any job offer will be provisional on obtaining a U.K. criminal records check on arrival in Britain.

Do I need to have a police check?

You should, if possible, provide us with a police check from your home country. You are also legally obliged to apply for a UK criminal records “CRB” check, even if you have never been to the UK before. You cannot apply for your “CRB” now, we will help you to obtain this when you visit our office in England (the government’s standard fee will need to be paid).

Where will I live when I am not on assignment?

You have to have somewhere to stay when you are not working. See our Links page for hostel and bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

How do I open a bank account in the UK?

We strongly suggest that you arrange to open a UK bank account before you leave your home country. Your own bank may be able to help. Alternatively visit 1st Contact for information on their services for overseas travellers.

How quickly will I get work after I arrive in the UK?

We will find you work as soon as possible after your interview. It may speed your application if your referees are aware beforehand that a reference will be requested from them, however any offers of work will be dependent on a British Criminal Records check which should only take a few days to be provisionally cleared. Please call us to confirm interview or CRB arrangements as soon as you arrive in the UK.

Do you have any more information for me?

The rest of this website should give you most of the information you need, further questions will be answered by emailing one of our South Africa representatives. Additional information about Consultus can be found on our main U.K. website by clicking here.