Social care

Employment law can be complex and frustrating.  We simplify it and provide timely, commercial, straightforward and practical advice to social care providers.  We can advise on the full range of employment issues, including:

• attracting and recruiting the best candidates, complying with safer recruitment procedures where staff are working with children or vulnerable adults
• effectively handling workplace disputes, including where there have been allegations of abuse, and managing the leaving process
• the application of the Working Time Regulations to doctors, nurses and other shift workers
• the employment relationship with volunteers
• the application of and obligations under TUPE where, for example, there is a merger of care homes or the in or out-sourcing of services
• the immigration issues around the use of overseas workers

Employment solutions

• Helpline -  we offer a lifeline to social care providers who are looking for day-to-day advice on staffing issues.  Our expertise covers the complete spectrum of the employment relationship from recruitment to safely ending the employment relationship
• Representation - if an employment relationship turns sour, we can help social care providers through the process with flexible litigation packages
• Insurance - we offer a flexible employment solutions package combined with an insurance policy to give a risk free employment service under the support of experienced lawyers
• Training - we publish a free weekly e-zine with employment updates, but can also provide general, bespoke and interactive training sessions.  If you would like to receive our e-zine, please visit www.vwv.co.uk/site/briefings/ and fill in the request.
• HR consultancy - our dual trained CIPD and employment lawyer can provide workplace consultancy services
• Immigration - our specialist immigration lawyer can advise social care providers wishing to recruit overseas workers on this process.  We advise on the recruitment and employment of overseas workers, including sponsorship licence applications, and we assist with workers' applications to enter and to remain in the UK, including permanent residence and citizenship.  We also assist on preparing for UKBA inspections and advising on procedures that care homes are expected to have in place in order to comply with their duties under the sponsorship licence.