Right to Work Checks: What Health and Social Care Employers Need to Know

A Legal Requirement, Not a Formality

Right to work checks are a legal requirement for all employers in the UK. In health and social care, where workforce compliance is closely scrutinised, conducting these checks correctly and consistently is essential. Failure to do so can result in civil penalties and reputational damage.

What the Check Involves

A right to work check involves reviewing and copying acceptable documentation that proves a candidate's right to work in the UK. The specific documents required depend on the individual's nationality and immigration status. Employers must conduct checks before employment begins and retain copies for the duration of employment plus a specified period afterwards.

Working With a Compliant Recruitment Partner

When working with a recruitment partner, right to work checks should be part of their structured compliance process. A partner like Azile™, with a dedicated onboarding and compliance platform, ensures these checks are completed consistently and documented properly, giving organisations confidence in their workforce compliance.

Azile Medical — clinician-founded health and social care recruitment insight. Written by the Azile Medical team.