Sponsor in-country care workers
Recruit displaced international care workers already in the South East and receive up to
£1,500 per worker, with full support from SESCA.
The most viable route to sponsor care workers under current immigration rules.
Displaced Care Workers
If you have lost sponsorship, you can access support to find new opportunities here.
Sponsored Care Workers
We can only support workers who have lost sponsorship. Access general support and guidance here.
2026/27 Grant Processing
View our latest update on 2026/27
2026/27 GRANT PROCESSING UPDATE
500+ displaced workers placed into employment – join our success story!
Our latest video shares real experiences from care workers and providers, with insights from SESCA Chair Erica Lockhart MBE on supporting sponsorship of displaced care workers.
How the scheme works
Receive up to £1,500 per care worker
Up to 6 workers per CQC-registered location
Eligibility criteria
To participate in the scheme, providers must:
- Be CQC-registered and not rated Inadequate
- Be located in the South East of England
- Hold an A-rated UKVI Sponsor Licence (no suspension or revocation in past two years)
- Follow DHSC Code of Practice and Modern Slavery Act 2015
- Comply fully with UK employment law, offering clear and fair contracts
- No zero-hours contracts for sponsored workers
- Provide appropriate pastoral and practical support (induction, transport, housing assistance, etc.)
Additional grant conditions
- Employer must have paid for worker’s visa
- Employer must confirm eligible costs incurred
- Worker must confirm employment
Eligible costs include: UKVI fees, legal and compliance support, specialist training, and enhanced induction or mentoring support
Not covered: standard recruitment costs or any costs passed to the worker
Providers should not pay to use priority visa services — SESCA can support expedited applications at no cost.
For full grant scheme terms & conditions, click here.
Our success so far
April 2026
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Providers Passed Assurance Checks
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Displaced Workers in New Sponsored Employment
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Displaced Workers Available for Introduction
How we match workers with providers
Identifying displaced workers
When a sponsor licence is revoked, UKVI contacts affected workers and directs them to SESCA. Workers complete a short form and attend a virtual triage interview to assess their experience, preferences and location.
Introducing suitable candidates
Our Regional Hubs work with local providers who pass our assurance checks. Suitable pre-screened candidates are introduced for interview.
Supporting sponsorship
Once a job offer is made, SESCA can support expedited allocation of a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), including obtaining a DASS letter from the relevant local authority where required.
Meet our regional hubs
Our Supported Sponsorship Scheme is delivered through four dedicated regional hubs, each led by an expert team supporting local providers to recruit displaced overseas care workers.
PLEASE NOTE: The regional hubs cannot provide direct support to care workers. All care worker enquiries must be sent to our central team at workforce@sesca.org.uk (include full name, address, contact details, and name of previous sponsor).
Hampshire hub
Overseen by Hampshire Care Association, this hub supports care providers in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Surrey.
- Nicki Rogers (nicki.ir@hampshirecare.org) is responsible for taking care providers through the project assurance process and is on hand to answer questions about the scheme.
- Bariah Anjum (bariah.ir@hampshirecare.org) works with our assured providers to support them to find the right workers from the displaced worker pool. She also manages the hampshire hub grant scheme.
- Robin Hall (robin.ir@hampshirecare.org): is our link to the central SESCA team and, having worked in a nursing setting and seen UKVI processes from the user perspective, can offer support to providers grappling with their compliance responsibilities.
Oxfordshire hub
Led by the Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers, this hub serves Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire.
- Lisa Leah (lisa.leah@oacp.org.uk): Lisa oversees both the assurance and grant schemes, ensuring providers have the support they need to access funding and meet compliance standards.
Sussex hub
Led by East Sussex Partners in Care (ESPIC), this hub serves East Sussex, West Sussex, and Brighton & Hove, supporting care providers and displaced workers across the region.
- Elizabeth Mackie (elizabeth@espic.co.uk): As CEO of East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, Elizabeth oversees governance, operational processes, and grant administration for the Sussex Hub. Providers meet Elizabeth during the grant application stage.
- Jazmin Hackworth: Jazmin manages all International Recruitment administration in Sussex, processing expressions of interest and provider applications while handling communications and website updates.
- Phil Hale: A retired CQC Manager, Phil ensures that providers meet assurance standards and regularly engages with applicants to guide them through the process.
- Denise Smith: A Development Manager with West Sussex Partners in Care, Denise supports the assurance framework and brings a wealth of experience as a former “Outstanding” rated home care provider.
Kent hub
Overseen by Kent Integrated Care Alliance (KiCA), this hub supports displaced workers and care providers in Kent and Medway.
- Louise Faulkner (louise.faulkner@kica.care): As Chief Operating Officer of KiCA, Louise oversees governance and operational processes for Kent & Medway providers.
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Lucy Luff (lucy.luff@kica.care): Lucy supports the provider assurance process, helping ensure all sponsors meet the scheme’s compliance requirements.
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Molly Holt (recruitment@kica.care): Molly is KiCA’s Recruitment Officer and leads on matching candidates to providers and managing grant-related processes.
Specialist support
Sue Windsor works across all four hubs to support assured providers in filling their vacancies. Sue helps providers match with displaced care workers who are a strong fit for their organisation. Her support is free of charge to all approved participants in the scheme.