Displaced Worker Recruitment

Prioritising displaced in-country overseas care workers

From 9 April, care providers who want to recruit from overseas must first prove that they have attempted to recruit a care worker from within England who needs new sponsorship (a “displaced” overseas care worker). SESCA is administering this scheme as the regional partnership for the South East.

Providers in the South East can apply to sponsor a displaced care worker and may be eligible for up to £5,000 in funding.

displaced worker sponsorship application form

Background & Government action

As we crack down on shameful rogue operators exploiting overseas workers here in the UK, we must do all we can to get the victims back into rewarding careers in adult social care.

Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care

International recruitment in adult social care has surged in recent years, bringing vital staff into the sector. However, concerns over worker exploitation have grown. In response:

The Home Office has revoked over 470 sponsor licences since July 2022.
More than 39,000 care workers have been affected.

Many of these workers lost their jobs through no fault of their own and urgently need new employment with a licensed sponsor.

Why this change?

The new rule aims to:

Ensure displaced international care workers are prioritised for new roles.
Reduce reliance on new overseas recruitment.
Protect workers from unethical employment practices.

How to recruit a displaced care worker in the South East

SESCA is the regional partnership for the South East.

We are currently offering adult social care providers with funding of up to £5,000 per displaced worker they sponsor (terms & conditions apply).

Care providers can apply to sponsor a displaced care worker by completing a form using the link below:

APPLY TO OBTAIN DETAILS OF DISPLACED CARE WORKERS IN THE SOUTH EAST

For a full list of regional partnerships across England, click here.

Find out more in our sponsorship support section

Are you a displaced overseas care worker, living in the Southeast, and require support to find a new sponsor?

If you need support, including help finding a new sponsor, please email us at workforce@sesca.org.uk with the following details:

Your full name
Your current residential address
Contact details (email and phone)
The name of your previous sponsoring provider

A member of the SESCA support team will respond as soon as possible.

Our support is available entirely by email

Please do not visit SESCA’s registered office or regional hub locations in person.

We understand the urgency of your situation and are here to help — however, our offices are not open to the public and we are unable to support walk-in enquiries.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
– The SESCA Team

CONTACT OUR DISPLACED WORKER SUPPORT TEAM