Recruitment, supervision and training

Our framework

Wesbridge Associates Limited (company number 16029047) operates a clear, documented framework for recruiting, inducting, supervising and training everyone who works on client matters. This page sets out how we meet each requirement of Section D of the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) Code of Standards.

D1 — Recruitment

Open, fair, role-based hiring.

• D1.1 Job description and person specification

  Every role has a written job description and person specification setting out duties, required knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience before recruitment begins.

• D1.2 Key responsibilities and objectives

  Each post-holder is given a clear written statement of their key responsibilities and objectives, reviewed at induction and at every performance review.

• D1.3 Non-discrimination as an employer

  We recruit, promote and manage staff in line with the Equality Act 2010. Decisions are made on merit; protected characteristics play no part in any hiring, promotion or disciplinary decision.

• D1.4 Open recruitment process

  Vacancies are advertised openly, candidates are shortlisted against the person specification, interviews follow a structured format, and the rationale for each appointment is recorded.

D2 — Induction, review and development

Onboarding, appraisal and ongoing learning.

• D2.1 Induction

  Every new starter completes a structured induction covering their role, our quality manual, anti-money laundering, data protection, file management, complaints handling and the IAA Code of Standards.

• D2.2 Performance review and feedback

  Staff receive a formal annual performance review and regular informal feedback from their supervisor, with documented objectives and outcomes.

• D2.3 Individual training and development plans

  Each member of staff has a written training and development plan agreed with their supervisor, refreshed annually and after each performance review.

• D2.4 Training records

  We keep a central training register recording CPD, qualifications, accreditations and internal training completed by each staff member.

D3 — Supervision

Named supervisors, skills and conditions.

• D3.1 Named category supervisor

  Each category of work we deliver has a named supervisor. The Principal, Danish Farooq, is the named supervisor across our IAA-regulated immigration categories.

• D3.2 Supervisory skills and competence

  Supervisors are IAA-authorised at the level of the work they supervise and demonstrate the casework, management and people skills required to supervise staff effectively.

• D3.3 Supervisors’ legal training

  Supervisors complete continuing professional development covering the Immigration Rules, case law and procedural updates, with evidence held in the training register.

• D3.4 Conditions for supervision

  Supervisors have sufficient time, authority and access to files, staff and systems to supervise properly. Supervisory capacity is considered before new cases or staff are accepted.

D4 — Casework supervision

Allocation, oversight, competence and resources.

• D4.1 Case allocation

  Cases are allocated against staff competence, IAA authorisation level, workload and any conflicts of interest, and recorded on the case management system.

• D4.2 Systems of supervision

  Day-to-day supervision combines four-eyes checks on substantive advice, regular one-to-ones, file reviews (see the Privacy page, Section E) and an open escalation route to the Principal.

• D4.3 Limits of individual competence and referral

  Staff are expected to recognise the limits of their competence and IAA authorisation. Matters outside our scope are referred to a suitably qualified provider with the client’s informed agreement.

• D4.4 Access to reference materials

  All staff have access to up-to-date legal reference materials: the Immigration Rules, Home Office guidance, IAA guidance, key case law and trusted commentary.

• D4.5 Updating legal information to staff

  Material changes to law, rules or Home Office guidance are circulated to staff promptly and discussed in team meetings, so advice given to clients reflects the current position.

D5 — Casework staff training

Qualifications and ongoing learning for caseworkers.

• D5.1 Training requirements for casework staff

  All casework staff complete annual CPD covering immigration law and practice, anti-money laundering, safeguarding and data protection, with attendance and outcomes recorded in the training register.

• D5.2 Legal qualification or minimum hours

  Authorised advisers hold IAA authorisation at the appropriate level. Staff without a recognised legal qualification meet the minimum annual training hours required by the IAA Code of Standards before working unsupervised on client matters.