Understanding the International Recruitment Process

The International Recruitment process may at first seem daunting, but there is a growing wealth of information to support you.

There is some excellent advice from the NHS Employers Toolkit https://www.nhsemployers.org/publications/international-recruitment-toolkit .

An Addendum to the Toolkit for community nursing provider organisations is currently in development, giving advice and case studies that will be regularly updated. There is additional useful information in this article: https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/recruitment-overseas-nurses-and-midwives.

The NHS abides by the Ethical Recruitment – the Code of Practice, developed with NHS Employers: https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/code-practice-international-recruitment  The most recent version was launched in 2021 and conforms with the advice of the World Health Organization to promote fair, effective and sustainable recruitment practices. There are a number of countries that are excluded from international recruitment to the UK and this list is regularly reviewed. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-strengthen-its-ethical-approach-to-the-international-recruitment-of-health-and-care-workers

NHS Employers also publishes a list of approved recruitment agencies: https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/recruitment-agency-list

The CQC has published (2023) a Statement on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in healthcare: www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/transparency/our-statement-modern-slavery-and-human-trafficking

NHS England

For more information see: https://www.england.nhs.uk/nursingmidwifery/international-recruitment/#support-offer

Email the NHSI workforce inbox for details of Regional International Recruitment Leads who can support you for your Trust: nhsi.workforce@nhs.net .

Register with the NHS Futures Platform and join the international recruitment workspace where there is active discussion and sharing of ideas in this community of practice: https://future.nhs.uk/InternationalRecruitment/grouphome

Collaboration Examples

Stakeholder engagement and communication are absolutely key to success; never assume that other parties have all the information they need. Always review documentation to ensure that it is clear, concise, and avoids jargon and acronyms that may be misunderstood.

Work collaboratively with others (within your organisation, with other trusts, and local organisations) to share lessons learned and accelerate the pace of implementation. 

It is recommended to appoint dedicated staff within your organisation to co-ordinate the International Recruitment process. This investment enables staff to become specialised in this area and to stay updated on the latest guidance and legislation, and to share knowledge with others inside and outside the organisation.

Devon International Recruitment Hub – http://globalnhsjobsdevon.com/

London Capital Nurse Consortium – https://www.capitalnurselondon.co.uk/

Kent Community Health NHS FT and Sussex Community NHS FT

Norfolk and Waveney Health & Care Partnership

Herts and West Essex Integrated Care System