Notes of OISC Regional Roundtable Event held at London Bridge 14.30-16.00, June 23, 2008
Chairman: Stephen Seymour, Director of Operations, OISC
OISC Website
The chairman informed advisers that the OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) website had been compromised and apologised for the delay in getting it back to full fitness. This was an opportunity to re-design the entire website and make it more user-friendly for advisors. However, core documents were still available to download.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Scheme
Advisers raised a number of issues regarding the OISC's CPD scheme. An adviser queried the scope of the scheme compared to that of the Law Society. The Chairman said CPD was currently at its pilot stages and the OISC would be developing it further. The relative sizes of the organisations meant the OISC would not be offering a programme of comparative scale. However, attendance at Law Society events is counted towards OISC CPD.
The OISC was asked if access could be negotiated to the Law Society Library to assist them in their work and studies. The chairman said the query would be put to the Law Society.
An adviser asked what the consequences for someone would be who failed to achieve their required CPD Level. The chairman said there are good business and professional reasons why advisers should keep themselves up to date, and that meeting the required CPD hours is mandatory to ensure compliance with the OISC Code of Standards. However, if an adviser refuses to comply with their CPD requirement, ultimately their authorisation to provide immigration advice could be removed.
Continued Registration
Advisers said they had mixed experiences in terms of how they felt the OISC dealt with the process of applications. Some claimed they were asked to produce supporting materials for applications by caseworkers within short timescales, but then sometimes did not hear back from the caseworker for weeks. Others said they were asked for documents which had already been supplied. But other advisers said their continued registration applications went through quickly and efficiently. The chairman said the OISC strives to meet published time targets. However, the chairman apologised for delays and said the OISC was constantly seeking to improve the application process.
Points Based System (PBS)
The chairman informed advisers that the UKBA (United Kingdom Border Agency) had provided new rollout dates aimed at employers (sponsors) and educational establishments. Educational establishments were expected to be able to apply to the UKBA to become a sponsor from the end of July 2008.
One adviser was concerned that PBS requires sponsors and their representatives to monitor the migrant and possibly break client confidentiality, which is at the heart of the OISC's Code of Standards. He was concerned that the Code will become unworkable. The Chairman said UKBA has not detailed how monitoring will be implemented and that the OISC will be keeping an eye on the situation.
