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Terms & Conditions

HOW APPLICANTS QUALIFY AS PARTICIPANTS OF THE SAWS

Applicants MUST be aged 18 or over on the date of arrival in the UK. Note: there is no upper age limit. SAWS participation involves being away from home for a long period and also hard physical work; therefore applicants should carefully consider their suitability for overseas work. For some applicants, if still in full time education, deferring application for one year will enable them to better prepare for the demands they will face.

If applicants are not in full time education or have recently graduated from university they should supply at least one of the following documents:

• A copy of their Diploma/Degree/Masters Certificate
• A copy of the highest qualification awarded to date
• A copy of any other relevant qualification
  • Driving licence
  • Tractor driving licence
  • Mini bus driving licence (category D)
  • This list is not exhaustive

If applicants are full time students they should supply the following document:

• Full name and date of birth of the student.
• The name of the University/college attended and the name of the faculty issuing the document.
• The signature of an official from the University/college and the official stamp endorsing the document.
• Authorisation from the University/college for the applicant to be absent for the period of participation.
• The name of the course the student is undertaking.

Generally, there are no special skills, experience or attributes required by those undertaking the seasonal tasks on a farm. However, farmers and growers seek participants who have some experience of working within agriculture or horticulture and to be able to speak and understand the English language.

Farmers and growers employing the participants of the SAWS have a preference that the participants they employ have experience of, or are studying an agricultural or horticultural subject.

Applicants should be able and willing to stay and work in the UK for a period that the farmers have requested and that is stated on their work permit, a maximum period of 6 months.

Applicants should equip themselves with a suitable REPATRIATION AND / OR TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY before travelling to the UK. Most employers insist that applicants purchase the NFU Mutual Insurance as offered by HOPS as a condition of their employment. Please see attached details of the NFU Mutual Insurance summary of cover. For further details, please see point 21.

All Applicants should have an active email address; details of which should be given on the application form.

Applicants must answer all questions and sign the application form.

The In-Country Representative will give applicants a HOPS Pre-Employment Medical Questionnaire. All questions must be answered and the form signed by the applicant. Any written answers must be written in English or translated into English. If the ‘yes’ box to any of the questions is ticked, HOPS may require additional information from the applicants doctor to determine if the applicant can do the work they have applied to do. It does not necessarily mean that the applicant will not be able to work in the UK. It may simply be that the employer has to make special arrangements for the applicant, for instance, a diabetic may need facilities to safely store their insulin etc. and be given leave to treat themselves at appropriate times of day. Applicants must retain copies of the completed questionnaire to give to their employer in the UK when they arrive.

If applicants wish to be on a farm with their girlfriend/boyfriend/partner, please ensure that they apply to the same Operator of the SAWS program and that the application forms are fixed together before sending to the HOPS Office.

Do not copy the application form, or use a form that has been allocated to another person.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM, ONLY IF YOU MEET THE CRITERIA LISTED ABOVE AND ARE HAPPY WITH THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT.

If an application is NOT accepted, it will be for one (or more) of these reasons:

• Parts of the application form are not completed correctly.
• The details on the application form are not acceptable, for example if the applicant is not yet 18 years of age.
• The application form is not signed.
• Supporting paperwork has not been enclosed with the application.

If the application IS accepted the participant will receive an official invitation letter from HOPS, enclosing:

• Your SAWS Workcard. This is your Workcard and should NOT be given to the employer on arrival at the farm.
• Details and travel directions to the farm.
• Participants are advised NOT to buy any travel tickets unless they have received a Workcard. Once participants are in receipt of a Workcard, they must purchase an OPEN return ticket.

If participants wish to extend their stay in the UK (up to a maximum of 26 weeks) they must:

• Apply to HOPS for a new Workcard up to a maximum of six (6) months.

When participants enter the UK they will need:

• SAWS Workcard - this is a valuable document – DO NOT LOSE IT.
• Another copy of the Education Evidence or other supporting document, to give to your employer.
• Copy of the HOPS Pre-Employment medical questionnaire to give to your employer.
• All of the HOPS booklets and papers you were given with the application form and with the Workcard.
• The Welcome Letter from the farm and the pink documents as supplied by HOPS containing farm details and directions.
• A sleeping bag, warm clothes and boots to work in (including clothing suitable for cold or wet weather).
• MONEY for travel and food for the first 7 days, a sum of approx £75.00 - £100.00 Sterling is recommended.
• Participants should have a TETANUS injection before leaving for the UK. All workers on farms are advised to have this immunisation.

Applicants apply for jobs as offered by HOPS. Details of the type of work and the duration of the job will be provided for you to help with your choice. Do NOT apply for a job that you do NOT want to do or if you know that you will be unable to remain for the full term of the job. If you wish to extend your period of work in the UK, it may be possible for you to apply for a transfer. HOPS cannot guarantee to be able to find participants a further placement, in which case they MUST return home.