Welcome to the West Midlands Social Care

International Recruitment Hub

Connecting Care Providers and International Care Workers for a Better Future

Your go-to resource for international recruitment in the adult social care sector, across the West Midlands.

This Hub provides information, advice, and guidance tailored for:

  • Care providers
  • Local councils
  • International care workers

Developed by West Midlands ADASS, this Programme represents the 14 directors running adult social care services for local authorities across the region, working in partnership with care providers and local councils.

The Programme is being funded via the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC)  International Recruitment Fund. to help address the unique challenges of international recruitment in adult social care.

Our Aim:

The Programme, launched in 2023, aimed to:

  • Help care providers tackle recruitment challenges.
  • Strengthen safeguards to protect care workers from exploitation.

In 2024-25, our focus has expanded to support international care workers affected by unethical practices or employer sponsorship revocations.

NEW Immigration Regulations – July 2025

The Home Office published its Statement of Changes HC 997, on the 1st July 2025, confirming major reforms to the Health and Care Worker visa route.

From the 22nd July 2025, UK care providers can no longer recruit care workers or senior care workers from overseas. Sponsorship is now restricted to eligible international care workers already in the UK under specific visa categories.

What We Do

The Programme is designed to address the needs of key groups in the adult social care sector:

For Care Providers

CQC-registered care providers operating in the West Midlands, especially those with licensed sponsorships, will benefit from support and resources including:

  • Compliance support to navigate regulations.
  • HR and legal guidance.
  • Access to a pool of qualified, work-ready international care workers.

For International Care Workers

International care workers in the West Midlands impacted by sponsorship issues or unethical practices will have access to vital services including:

  • Job placement services.
  • Visa and sponsorship guidance.
  • Platforms to report unethical practices and seek resolution.

Enhanced Local International Recruitment Support

Through the Small Grants Programme, eight councils across the West Midlands offer tailored support to care providers and international care workers.

west midlands region map

How we can help…

International Care Workers

Explore resources tailored for international adult care workers in the West Midlands. Access job placement support, visa guidance, and a platform to report unethical practices.

Care Providers

Discover support for CQC-registered care providers, including HR & legal advice and access to a pool of qualified international care workers.

Local Authorities

Access resources to support Care Providers and International Care Workers, including webinars, HR support, and shared best practice.

Our latest news, blogs and updates about the West Midlands International Recruitment Programme.

Key learnings from phase 1 of the WM-ADASS IR programme

We evaluated use of the Department of Health and Social Care International Recruitment Fund in 2023-24 in our May 2024 report, Creating a sustainable adult social care workforce: international recruitment in West Midlands learning & evaluation.

Key learnings from phase