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Employment

This page contains the latest local information on employment support for Ukrainians arriving in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Whether you are planning to settle in the UK or return to Ukraine when it is safe to do so, seeking employment in the UK can enhance independence, open up new opportunities, and help establish meaningful connections in the local community.

If you have any questions or require further advice on any topic, please contact the relevant support services in the sections below, or email us on HFUTeam@Gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Modern Slavery
As a refugee or asylum seeker, you may face unique challenges during your journey and resettlement. Unfortunately, some people may try to take advantage of your situation. This is called modern slavery and it includes; forced labour, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation.
Your rights as a worker are clearly defined by UK law. Please be aware of the following warning signs that may indicate exploitation:
•    Being forced to work or provide services against your will
•    Your employer is controlling your personal finances
•    You are being paid less than the national minimum wage
•    Receiving threats, violence, or pressure from others
•    Someone keeping your passport or ID documents
•    Not being paid fairly or at all
•    Being isolated or unable to leave your home or workplace
If you are in danger or feel unsafe, please tell a trusted officer or caseworker, contact us on HFUTeam@gloucestershire.gov.uk, or call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or the police on 101.
Support is free, confidential, and available regardless of your immigration status.

People arriving under the Homes for Ukraine scheme are entitled to live and work in the UK for the duration of their visa, and can claim the full range of health benefits, social security benefits and employment support. These rights are extended for a further 18 months through the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.

Please see the following webpages to familiarize yourself with your basic rights as a worker in the UK:

Workers' rights Leaflet - English Version

Workers’ Rights Leaflet – Ukrainian version


Minimum Wage

If you work in a permanent job on a short-term contract or work for an agency, you must receive at least the national minimum wage or the national subsistence minimum, depending on your age.

If you receive a salary from production (for the number of items assembled, packed or assembled), you must still receive at least the corresponding minimum wage per hour.

There are a few exceptions, including self-employed individuals and volunteers. Please see the following webpage for more information:

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage

Universal Credit and Benefits

To claim benefits including Jobseekers Allowance, Universal Credit, and Pension Credits, please book an appointment at your local Job Center Plus.

You can also claim Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. For more information or to make a claim, please see Child Benefit: How it works.

People arriving under the Homes for Ukraine scheme are entitled to live and work in the UK for the duration of their visa, and can claim the full range of health benefits, social security benefits and employment support. These rights are extended for a further 18 months through the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.

Please see the following webpages to familiarize yourself with your basic rights as a worker in the UK:

Workers' rights Leaflet - English Version

Workers’ Rights Leaflet – Ukrainian version


Minimum Wage

If you work in a permanent job on a short-term contract or work for an agency, you must receive at least the national minimum wage or the national subsistence minimum, depending on your age.

If you receive a salary from production (for the number of items assembled, packed or assembled), you must still receive at least the corresponding minimum wage per hour.

There are a few exceptions, including self-employed individuals and volunteers. Please see the following webpage for more information:

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage

Universal Credit and Benefits

To claim benefits including Jobseekers Allowance, Universal Credit, and Pension Credits, please book an appointment at your local Job Center Plus.

You can also claim Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. For more information or to make a claim, please see Child Benefit: How it works.

So long as you have submitted your application for the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme on time, you will be granted ‘3C leave’. This extends your Homes for Ukraine permissions until a UPE decision is made.

Should a prospective employer have any concerns over your right to work in the UK during this period, please refer them to the following webpage:

3C Leave Explainer for Employers

So long as you have submitted your application for the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme on time, you will be granted ‘3C leave’. This extends your Homes for Ukraine permissions until a UPE decision is made.

Should a prospective employer have any concerns over your right to work in the UK during this period, please refer them to the following webpage:

3C Leave Explainer for Employers

Job Centre Plus

Your primary point of contact for support while seeking a job is Job Centre Plus, run by the UK government’s Department of Work and Pensions. Please use the following link to find your nearest branch and book an appointment:

Contact Jobcentre Plus - Find your nearest office

Employment and Skills Hub

Gloucestershire County Council also runs the Employment and Skills Hub; a central source of information around skills and employment, including access to specialist employment advisers who will work with you to identify the best sources of employment support.

The Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support team (RASS) is an integral part of the Employment and Skills hub, and they can;

  • Offer volunteering opportunities for asylum seekers and refugees to build confidence, gain employability skills, and become more work-ready while waiting for their leave to remain.
  • Help refugees find, secure, and stay in work, and support them as they progress in their careers.
  • Increase the number of employers in the county who are open to hiring refugees.

You can make contact with the RASS team by filling out a referral form.

GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers)

You can request career advice by attending one of the regular drop-in sessions run by
GARAS.


Breaking Barriers

Breaking Barriers offers one-to-one advice focused on so every refugee can access meaningful employment and build a new life:

Refugee Support - Helping refugees find meaningful employment

Job Centre Plus

Your primary point of contact for support while seeking a job is Job Centre Plus, run by the UK government’s Department of Work and Pensions. Please use the following link to find your nearest branch and book an appointment:

Contact Jobcentre Plus - Find your nearest office

Employment and Skills Hub

Gloucestershire County Council also runs the Employment and Skills Hub; a central source of information around skills and employment, including access to specialist employment advisers who will work with you to identify the best sources of employment support.

The Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support team (RASS) is an integral part of the Employment and Skills hub, and they can;

  • Offer volunteering opportunities for asylum seekers and refugees to build confidence, gain employability skills, and become more work-ready while waiting for their leave to remain.
  • Help refugees find, secure, and stay in work, and support them as they progress in their careers.
  • Increase the number of employers in the county who are open to hiring refugees.

You can make contact with the RASS team by filling out a referral form.

GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers)

You can request career advice by attending one of the regular drop-in sessions run by
GARAS.


Breaking Barriers

Breaking Barriers offers one-to-one advice focused on so every refugee can access meaningful employment and build a new life:

Refugee Support - Helping refugees find meaningful employment

Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, build experience and references, integrate into your local community, and meet new people. It is also a great opportunity to improve your language skills should you need to.

Go Volunteer Glos and Get Volunteering Gloucestershire can help you find opportunities in your area.

Other organisations who are keen to welcome volunteers include your local charity shops, youth groups, the National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

Please also see the Employment Support Services section above, as these services can also assist with volunteering opportunities.

Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, build experience and references, integrate into your local community, and meet new people. It is also a great opportunity to improve your language skills should you need to.

Go Volunteer Glos and Get Volunteering Gloucestershire can help you find opportunities in your area.

Other organisations who are keen to welcome volunteers include your local charity shops, youth groups, the National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

Please also see the Employment Support Services section above, as these services can also assist with volunteering opportunities.

Paying Tax

If you are in employment you will need to pay Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions. The following link explains more about the income tax you will need to pay if you are working:

Paying tax: Homes for Ukraine

National Insurance

To work in the UK you will also need to apply for a National Insurance number (NIN).

If you have an eVisa you might have a National Insurance number already. You can find it by creating or logging into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to view you eVisa.

If you do not have a National Insurance number, you must apply for one if you plan to work. You can only apply when you’re in the UK.

Paying Tax

If you are in employment you will need to pay Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions. The following link explains more about the income tax you will need to pay if you are working:

Paying tax: Homes for Ukraine

National Insurance

To work in the UK you will also need to apply for a National Insurance number (NIN).

If you have an eVisa you might have a National Insurance number already. You can find it by creating or logging into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to view you eVisa.

If you do not have a National Insurance number, you must apply for one if you plan to work. You can only apply when you’re in the UK.

Ukrainians Welcome – Your safe stay in the UK is a new website bringing together resources for Ukrainian nationals displaced to the UK which gives the option in English or Ukrainian. It is part of an initiative from anti-slavery groups aimed at keeping Ukrainian refugees safe from trafficking and helping them to safely navigate life in the UK.

Careers - BBC Bitesize is a great resource for young people to explore pathways to careers and read about others’ experiences.

Ukrainians Welcome – Your safe stay in the UK is a new website bringing together resources for Ukrainian nationals displaced to the UK which gives the option in English or Ukrainian. It is part of an initiative from anti-slavery groups aimed at keeping Ukrainian refugees safe from trafficking and helping them to safely navigate life in the UK.

Careers - BBC Bitesize is a great resource for young people to explore pathways to careers and read about others’ experiences.

For more information on improving your professional English skills, please see our ESOL page.