We have conducted extensive research to identify the support available to overseas workers in the South East.
Support for overseas workers
Educational Video
Know Your Rights as an International Care Worker in the UK
A powerful new educational video from Justice and Care and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) shares real-life stories and practical guidance to help protect international care workers from exploitation.
Watch now in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam.
View the video here
Resource directory
Use the resources listed below to help connect overseas care workers with appropriate information, advice, and support.
The Trades Union Congress, which represents all major UK trades unions, has an easy-access guide to Working in the UK. It also runs the Worksmart website which includes questions and answers on issues about working conditions.
The UK Government website has a section offering advice on working, jobs and pensions, which includes guidance on the National Minimum Wage.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
The government department which collects and administers taxes and pays tax credits and child benefits. The HMRC website has pages for migrant workers explaining taxes, national insurance, self-employment, tax credits and the National Minimum Wage which they enforce.
The Health and Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Executive, which enforces health and safety at work legislation has pages for migrant workers.
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority regulates gangmasters (agents employing workers) in certain industries and has an advice page for workers.
Justice & Care are a charity dedicated to raising awareness and helping victims of modern slavery.
FLEX has been dedicated to ending labour exploitation since it was founded in 2013. Over the past 10 years, we have been at the forefront of working to prevent labour abuses, protect the rights of exploited and at-risk workers, and promote best practice responses to labour exploitation in the context of a challenging political environment.
The Care Workers Charity supports care workers, including those from overseas, who are facing financial hardship or other challenges. They provide financial assistance, emotional support, and practical advice to care workers in need, helping them navigate difficult situations and improve their well-being.
The Work Rights Centre is a registered charity organisation that provides free and confidential legal advice on employment rights and immigration matters. You can get in touch by completing a contact form on their website or emailing contact@workrightscentre.org. The organisation also has a number of guides on their website, including this one for migrant care workers.
The Department for Work and Pensions administers welfare benefits (for the unemployed and those unable to work) in the UK. The UK Government website includes comprehensive information about benefits.
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group has a section of its website which covers benefits and tax issues for migrants.
You can search for solicitor near you who can give advice under the legal aid scheme using the search tool for England and Wales. The tool allows you search by location (postcode, town or city) and by subject matter (e.g. immigration, housing and welfare benefits).
The IAA (formerly the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner – OISC) gives information on finding a qualified immigration advisor in your area. They investigate complaints about immigration advisers and can prosecute those who operate illegally.
The Right to Remain Toolkit is a guide to the UK immigration and asylum system. It gives an overview of the legal system and procedures, with detailed information on rights and options at key stages, and actions you can take in support of your claim, or to help someone else.
The Work Rights CentreThe Work Rights Centre is a registered charity organisation that provides free and confidential legal advice on employment rights and immigration matters. You can get in touch by completing a contact form on their website or emailing contact@workrightscentre.org. The organisation also has a number of guides on their website, including this one for migrant care workers.
NHS entitlements: migrant health guide
This guide on the www.gov.uk website provides comprehensive information on healthcare entitlements for migrants in England. It covers topics such accessing NHS primary and secondary care, dental treatment and immunization, together with specific information relating vulnerable migrant groups.
The Open University offer Free English Language courses.
Migrant Help have compiled a collection of online learning resources.
The Housing Rights website has been put together by The Chartered Institute of Housing and BME National. The site gives recent arrivals up-to-date information about their housing rights.
Shelter’s website offers advice on private renting, deposits, problems with landlords, etc. Search for housing advice by area, and get the contact details of Shelter’s local offices, which offer free advice and help with all types of housing problems, together with a free helpline for urgent problems.
The Homeless Link website provides information about services for anyone facing homelessness, including a directory of services.
The Citizens Advice website provides advice to help you find your local Citizens Advice Bureau for face-to-face advice and help. The site includes information about benefits, immigration, housing and other useful topics. It has separate sections for the different parts of the UK.
ARHAG has a free national benefits and housing advice line available to all BME women or girls in the UK who require help or advice with a housing or benefit issue, such as universal credit, maximising benefits, support dealing with overpayments, and maximising benefits through grants and other options.
Crisis has a Help to Rent Database on this page where you can find out about schemes that may be able to help with deposits and rent in advance.
BME National is a collective of housing associations that work in diverse neighbourhoods. We work with policyholders and decision-makers to improve people’s lives through tackling housing inequality.
Project 17 are a national group with particular emphasis on the South East, working to end destitution among migrant families with no recourse to public funds. They work with families experiencing exceptional poverty to improve their access to local authority support.
There’s an advice/support form for professionals, and one for individuals, as well as a resources page which is very useful.
Top Ten Transport Tips for Staff Who Do Not Drive
These practical solutions were compiled following an open discussion session with home care providers, where we explored ways to overcome the challenge of sponsoring non-drivers.
- Pair Non-Drivers with Drivers: to cover more service users efficiently.
- Proximity-Based Rostering: assign non-drivers to nearby service users within walking / cycling distance.
- Public Transport Route Planning: Focus on clients near public transport hubs and provide staff with travel cards or passes.
- Route Planning Software: Invest in software to optimize travel routes and reduce reliance on drivers.
- Real-Time Transport Updates: Equip staff with apps for real-time public transport tracking.
- Driving Lesson Sponsorship: Offer intensive lessons and test preparation support to help staff gain UK driving licences
- Company Car-Pools: Create a shared vehicle pool for staff who have obtained licences.
- Minibus Drop-Off Service: Provide a scheduled minibus service to drop staff off in key local areas.
- Bike and E-Scooter Loan Schemes: Offer loans or subsidies for bicycles—including electric bikes for longer routes—and explore electric scooter loan schemes where legally permitted (e.g., Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton).
- Travel Allowances: Offer financial support for public transport fares or bike maintenance costs.
About Immigration – Driving in the UK
The About Immigration website contains free, impartial information on each stage of UK immigration, including a comprehensive overview on Driving in the UK.
Migrant Help is a national charity operating from 10 offices across the UK. Although the charity is focused on helping asylum seekers and refugees, the website contains a wealth of advice, information and support to overcome the challenges of integration to life in the UK.
The charity supports access to local healthcare and education services, English lessons, specialist counselling, managing budgets and becoming work ready. Migrant Help also supports victims of modern-day slavery.
Equality Advisory Support Service
The Equality Advisory Support Service provides information advice and support on discrimination and human rights issues to individuals in England, Scotland and Wales.
The Migrant Rights Network is a UK-based organisation that works to promote and protect the rights of migrants. They offer support to care workers by providing information on their rights, connecting them with relevant services, and advocating for fair treatment and better working conditions.
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
We work toward this vision of a better Britain by:
- Challenging unjust laws and practices that restrict rights and lead to discrimination.
- Influencing the debate on migration and fighting against the politics of hate and fear.
- Supporting vulnerable individuals & families with reliable, high-quality legal advice.
- Improving the quality of advice elsewhere through training and capacity building.
- Building and supporting progressive movements at the grassroots and at the national level.
Southeast Strategic Partnership for Migration
The Southeast Strategic Partnership for Migration (SESPM) provides leadership, coordination, and advisory function for migration in the Southeast. It is hosted by Southeast Councils and our support covers all 70 South East local authority areas.
Pan African Worker’ Association
PAWA is a national association supporting African workers in the UK, with a strong focus on care workers. Affiliated with the IWW trade union, they connect migrant workers with trade unions, empowering them to assert their rights.
They provide advice through WhatsApp groups (2,000+ members), trained reps for workplace issues, and awareness on workers’ rights. Open to all, they offer pastoral support, social events, training, and solidarity.
Voice4Change England is a national advocacy organisation that works to strengthen the voice and influence of the UK’s Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. They support overseas care workers by addressing issues of inequality, discrimination, and exploitation. Voice4Change England aims to empower care workers and ensure their rights are protected.
Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC)
Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC) is a community organisation for and by migrants, refugees, and people seeking asylum from Southeast and East Asia and people of these heritages living in the UK. We provide essential community support services on issues around welfare, immigration, employment, healthcare access, racism and discrimination, mental health, as well as gender-based violence and exploitation. Based on our experiences as a user-led grassroots organisation, we also deliver advocacy and campaigning work to address intersectional challenges faced by marginalised and under-represented groups of the communities, such as precarious migrant workers, asylum seekers, survivors of trafficking and labour exploitation, women and people of marginalised genders.
Supporting South Asian Women in the UK
We can advise and advocate on your behalf to help manage key areas such as health, housing, education, employment, legal, finance and personal development such as how to write a CV, interview skills, help to complete benefit forms, access to counselling and advocacy, and much more.
Although we do not provide refuge provision or financial aid, we are able to make referrals to our partners, who are better placed to assist you without being passed on to endless organisations.
Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA)
We work with Afghans and Central Asians living away from their homeland, providing them with support, skills and knowledge to live and prosper in the UK.
Our wide range of services includes English language classes, employment workshops, a women’s support group, a Saturday school and homework club, youth and family support services, drop-in and telephone advice, volunteer placements, and cultural and social events. We provide outreach and visits to individuals and families in detention.
The Refugee Council provides essential support, advice, and advocacy for refugees and asylum seekers, assisting them in rebuilding their lives and integrating into society.
Refugee Action offers practical support, advice, and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers, helping them access vital services, find accommodation, and navigate the asylum process.
The British Red Cross provides a range of support services to refugees and asylum seekers, including emergency relief, health and wellbeing support, and assistance with accessing essential services.
Migrant Help offers advice, support, and guidance to refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants. They assist individuals in understanding their rights, accessing accommodation, and navigating the asylum process.
Sanctuary Hosting matches individuals in need of accommodation with volunteer hosts who provide a safe and welcoming place to stay for refugees and asylum seekers facing homelessness.
Praxis Community Projects is based in London and offers a telephone and drop-in advice service to all vulnerable migrants, including rejected asylum seekers and people with no recourse to public funds and other immigration problems.
Doctors of the World run a London clinic and advocacy programme based at Praxis, for anyone who has difficulty accessing mainstream healthcare.
NACCOM is the UK national No Accommodation network which provides a list and map of all projects offering accommodation to migrants with no recourse to public funds.
Project 17 offers advice to people with children who need to apply to social services for accommodation.
Bail for Immigration Detainees is an independent charity that exists to challenge immigration detention in the UK.
Additional Resources
Guidance From Justice & Care
Justice & Care are a charity dedicated to raising awareness and helping victims of modern slavery. They have produced this vital guidance to provide international care workers with essential information regarding their employment rights and entitlements while working in the UK.
Key highlights include:
- Overview of employment rights and entitlements
- Insights into sponsorship obligations, including visa application fees and employer responsibilities
- Guidance on finding alternative sponsorship
- Information on accessing support services, such as the National Referral Mechanism and the Modern Slavery Helpline
We encourage all providers to ensure their international workers are familiar with this important resource.
Welcome – A Guide for New Refugees
Although primarily for new refugees, this Home Office publication provides invaluable guidance on how to access public services and make the most of opportunities in the UK. There are sections on benefits, housing, education, legal rights, and healthcare, together with useful contacts and links to further information.
