The care sector has faced close scrutiny from the Home Office, and a number of care providers have had their sponsor licence suspended or revoked following enforcement action. Unfortunately, where the organisation has had its licence revoked, this has meant that a number of workers have been displaced, through no fault of their own, and need to find new employment in the sector with another sponsor.
The Home Office have been working with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to support sponsors recruiting workers internationally. The Department funds 15 International Recruitment Regional Partnerships across England to support international recruitment in adult social care.
The Home Office are reaching out to sponsors to let them know that if they need to recruit workers, there is a pool of displaced workers available and that they should contact their regional lead. Contact details are provided in the email from the Home Office.
Advantages of sponsoring a displaced worker
It appears that the Home Office acknowledges the valuable role that international recruitment plays in the UK’s adult social care workforce, and they are offering additional benefits for sponsoring a displaced worker.
The Home Office have stated that:
“Applications for licences and certificates of sponsorship for international recruits can be expedited free of charge when employing a displaced worker.”
We often see significant processing delays with sponsor licence applications and requests for additional CoS within the care sector. In light of this recent development, it is certainly worth sponsors considering the pool of displaced workers when recruiting.
We are also starting to see that the Home Office are contacting individuals who are directly impacted by the revocation action, to let them know that they can contact their regional partners for support to help find a new sponsor.
This may not necessarily resolve all the issues and challenges the care sector faces, but it is refreshing to see some additional support being provided given the hard-line approach the Home Office have taken with the care sector.
How our Immigration Solicitors can help
We are experienced in advising both employers and individuals in relation to the sponsor licence process and the Skilled Worker route.
If your organisation requires legal assistance in relation to maintaining your sponsor licence, or resolving any existing compliance action, we would be more than happy to assist you. To speak with one of our immigration solicitors, please contact us or complete our enquiry form below.
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