Funding & support to sponsor in-country migrant care workers

Our latest video showcases the inspiring stories and firsthand experiences of care workers and providers engaged in international recruitment across the Southeast. Alongside these stories, Erica Lockhart, Chair of SESCA, shares insights into the support we’re offering providers to sponsor displaced migrant care workers.

Financial support for sponsors

Grant Funding Overview (Last updated: July 2025)
Funding arrangements are correct at the time of publication and are subject to ongoing review. They may be amended, suspended, or withdrawn in response to demand, available resources, or other factors.

Receive up to £6,000 per care worker

In recognition of the financial pressures faced by care providers, grant funding of up to £6,000 per international care worker is now available through the Displaced Worker Recruitment Support Scheme. This support is designed to help employers offset the costs of recruiting displaced international workers.

For full details of the grant scheme, including terms and conditions, click here.

Grants are limited to up to 6 workers per CQC-registered location and are available in two parts:

Part 1: Initial Grant – £3,000 per Worker

Available once a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) has been assigned.

Conditions:

• The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must be assigned to a worker recruited through the scheme.
• The employer must confirm to SESCA that a successful match has been made through the scheme (i.e. they have offered sponsored employment to a displaced worker introduced via the scheme) before assigning the CoS to the worker.
• The CoS must specify the relevant CQC-registered work location.
• No recruitment-related costs may be passed on to the worker under any circumstances.

Part 2: Additional Grant – Up to £3,000 per Worker

Available 8 weeks after the worker has started employment.

Conditions:

• The employer must have paid for the worker’s visa (either directly or by reimbursing the worker).
• The employer must declare that eligible costs have been incurred.
• The worker must confirm they are still employed.

Eligible Costs Include:

• • UKVI Fees (e.g., Immigration Skills Charge, CoS costs).
  • Legal and Compliance Costs (e.g., solicitor fees, compliance platform fees).
  • Specialist Training (e.g., English language courses, cultural adaptation).
  • Payments to Workers for Additional Training beyond standard induction
  • Enhanced Induction Support (e.g., buddying or mentoring costs).

Ineligible Costs: include standard recruitment costs (e.g., uniforms, DBS checks) and expenses passed on to the worker.

Note: Priority visa services should not be paid for. SESCA can support expedited visa applications without additional cost.

How to Apply for Funding

Step 1: Employers submit an online application once the CoS is assigned.

Step 2: Regional Hub reviews and confirms eligibility.

Step 3: £3,000 is paid in the next payment run.

Step 4: After the worker has been employed for 8 weeks, SESCA will contact the provider to invite them to apply for additional funding. Confirmation from the worker will be requested to verify continued employment and visa cost payment by the employer

Step 5: Once verfication checks are completed, funding of up to £3,000 is paid in the next payment run.

Regional Hubs

Grants are administered by our regional hubs:

• Sussex

• Hampshire, IOW, Portsmouth, Southampton, Surrey

• Kent

• Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Maidenhead, Wokingham

Please see below for details of our Regional Hubs.

For full details of the grant scheme, click here.

Key benefits

This initiative streamlines the recruitment process, reducing costs and enabling you to secure skilled, ready-to-work care professionals quickly and efficiently. With funding provided for onboarding and priority access to our free training, it ensures your new hires are fully prepared and supported to excel in their roles.

• Fast-Tracked Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Accelerated processing for quicker starts – CoS issued within days.
• Hire Experienced Care Workers: Sponsor pre-screened migrant care workers already living in the South-East and ready to start immediately.
• Lower Recruitment Costs: Streamlined process—just interview and onboard.
• No Relocation Costs: Workers are already based locally in the South-East.
• Financial Support: Receive up to £6,000 per recruit to assist with onboarding and training expenses (terms apply).
• Exclusive Free Training Access: Priority enrollment in courses, such as Everyday English, Wellbeing, and Buddy Support.

Process

Reaching Out to Displaced Workers

When an employer’s sponsorship license is revoked (following an appeal period), UKVI writes to the affected displaced workers advising them to email SESCA via our dedicated inbox.

We then ask these workers to complete a form with their details and arrange a triage interview. These interviews are conducted virtually by our team, including staff from our local care hubs, to assess the experience, interest, and preferred location for work of the displaced workers.

Sourcing Providers

At the same time, our Regional Hubs have been liaising with employers who have expressed interest in recruiting displaced workers. The Hubs will assess all providers to ensure they meet the scheme’s requirements (see “Eligibility criteria for providers” above). Regionally, we will introduce employers to suitable, pre-screened recruits. Employers will then follow their standard interview process.

When a job offer is made through our regional team, we can help expedite the allocation of a CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) by approaching the relevant local authority to obtain a “DASS letter” (from the Director of Adult Social Services), which will then be sent to UKVI in support of the CoS application.

If you are interested in sponsoring a displaced worker, please complete our application form here.