This section outlines opportunities for Southeast-based providers with sponsor licenses to sponsor “displaced” overseas care workers already in the UK, following the loss of their previous sponsor’s license.
Find out how to obtain up to £1,500 per worker you sponsor, together with recruitment, training, and onboarding support.
As part of the Department of Health and Social Care’s 2024-26 International Recruitment Project, SESCA is assisting “displaced overseas care workers” (those who have lost their sponsorship due to their employer having their licence revoked) in securing new sponsorship with reputable providers in the Southeast.
We are connecting displaced care workers with providers who meet specific criteria. And we are supporting these providers with funding and guidance to ensure they can offer the necessary support to help these displaced workers, many of whom may have had difficult experiences, settle into their new roles.
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.
April 2026
Grant Funding Overview (Last updated: May 2026)
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 They may be amended, suspended, or withdrawn in response to demand, available resources, or other factors.
Contribution Payments
The financial support offer to providers in 26-27 has now been agreed, and we are pleased to let you know that a contribution payment towards recruitment costs will be available on assignment of a CoS to a worker introduced to you by a member of our team.
The contribution of £1500 per worker is available for up to 6 workers per CQC registered location, regardless of how many workers you have recruited through the partnership in previous years.
To qualify for the contribution:
Applications are expected to open approximately Mid-June.
Available once a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) has been assigned.
Conditions:
Eligible Costs Include:
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.
Step 1: Employers submit an online application once the CoS is assigned.
Step 2: Regional Hub reviews and confirms eligibility.
Step 3: £1,500 is paid in the next payment run.
Grants are administered by our regional hubs:
Sussex
Hampshire, IOW, Portsmouth, Southampton, Surrey
Kent
Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire
Please see below for details of our Regional Hubs.
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.
To participate in the SESCA International Recruitment 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 with no suspension or revocation within the past two years
Follow the DHSC International Recruitment Code of Practice and the Modern Slavery Act 2015
Comply fully with UK employment law, offering clear, fair contracts (including pay, pension, and leave)
Avoid the use of zero-hours contracts for sponsored workers
Provide appropriate pastoral and practical support to international recruits (e.g. induction, buddy systems, transport or housing help)
To ensure ethical, compliant, and sustainable recruitment, SESCA’s Regional Hubs will verify each CQC-registered location through a structured assurance process:
Background Checks – Review of CQC registration, Companies House status, sponsor licence activity, and open-source information
Provider Interview – Discussion with a senior representative (e.g. Director or Registered Manager) to explore compliance, governance, and workforce planning
Board Review – Findings reviewed by the SESCA Provider Assurance Board for approval
Workforce Needs – Occupancy levels, vacancies, and funding sources
CQC & Safeguarding – Inspection history, improvement plans, and any safeguarding concerns
Sponsorship History – Past Skilled Worker recruitment, retention rates, and UKVI compliance record
Employment Conditions – Contract terms, pay rates, deductions, accommodation, induction, and ongoing support
Employment Security – Proof of sustainable contracts and full-time roles for sponsored workers
Commitment to Continuous Improvement – Evidence of governance, quality assurance, and responsiveness to inspection outcomes
Where possible, SESCA will streamline the process using existing compliance documentation to minimise the burden on providers.
For detailed requirements and guidance, see:
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.
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.
“This initiative has been invaluable in helping migrant care workers, who have been displaced due to their original employer losing their sponsorship license, find new opportunities.
The candidates are well-trained and well-prepared for the transition, both in skill set and adaptability. We’re grateful to be part of such an amazing scheme that supports both workers and care providers.”
Sussex-based provider who has successfully onboarded two international recruits through the scheme
“I write to express my gratitude to you and the organisation you represent for successfully placing me after I had tried and failed more times than I care to count. Thank you for the great job you are doing for so many of us who are in a tough place.”
Displaced Care Worker placed into new sponsored employment
Our Supported Sponsorship Scheme is delivered through four dedicated regional hubs, each led by an expert team supporting care providers across the South East to recruit displaced overseas care workers.
PLEASE NOTE: The regional hubs cannot provide support directly to care workers. All care worker enquiries must be sent to the central SESCA team at workforce@sesca.org.uk (including full name, current address, contact details, and the name of your previous sponsoring provider).
Overseen by Hampshire Care Association, this hub supports care providers in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Surrey.
Led by the Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers, this hub serves Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire.
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.
Overseen by Kent Integrated Care Alliance (KiCA), this hub supports displaced workers and care providers in Kent and Medway.
Lucy Luff (lucy.luff@kica.care): Lucy supports the provider assurance process, helping ensure all sponsors meet the scheme’s compliance requirements.
Molly Holt (recruitment@kica.care): Molly is KiCA’s Recruitment Officer and leads on matching candidates to providers and managing grant-related processes.
