Supporting Your International Care Workers in the West Midlands
The 2024-25 International Recruitment Programme provides a dedicated space to support international care workers in the adult social care sector across the West Midlands.
Tailored regional-wide support and resources include:
Supporting Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) Applications
Local Authorities can support care provider’s CoS applications in a bid to try and quickly secure sponsorship for displaced international care workers.
How Local Authorities Can Help with COS Applications
- Assess CoS applications from providers using the provided UKVI checklist, which includes verifying contracts and ensuring that CoS requests are reasonable.
- Submit a letter of support to UKVI once satisfied with the provider’s application.
Please note, the letter of support to help speed up CoS applications is optional and is not an endorsement, nor does it guarantee UKVI will accept the application. DASSs can decline to provide a letter of support if they do not have sufficient information, or if they cannot assure themselves that the number of CoS applied for is reasonable.
Support for Care Workers Affected by Sponsorship License Revocation
If UKVI has informed an international care worker based in the West Midlands that their employer’s sponsorship license has been revoked, we help signpost them to regional support.
They are asked to Visit www.revoked.support to enter details and will then receive tailored guidance.
Legal & HR Helpline for Displaced Workers
Displaced international adult social care workers, living in the West Midlands, can access a FREE 30-minute consultation with a legal or HR specialist for advice on sponsorship or employment issues (please note this service cannot provide support for employment disputes or tribunals).
They need to register at www.revoked.support and request HR & Legal Support during the process.
Self-Serve Support Platform: My UK Life
International Care Workers, based in the West Midlands, can enhance their skills and connect with their community through our platform.
- Features include CV tips, virtual coach, training, sign posting to job opportunities, and community-building resources.
- They can access this by registering at https://ai.myuk.life/wm/
- Local Authorities and Care Providers, across the West Midlands, can promote My UK Life with ready-to-use posters designed to inform care workers about the platform and its benefits:
Safeguarding Concerns
We have created a guide to help international care workers to secure the right role. This includes:
- A checklist of questions for potential employers.
- Guidance on contracts and ethical practices.
- Tips to avoid exploitation.
Download the guide here.
Essential Guide: What to Ask a New Employer?
If we identify a potential safeguarding concern during our interactions with international care workers, we will ensure it is promptly forwarded to the relevant local authority safeguarding channel. This ensures that all concerns are addressed appropriately and in line with established protocols to protect workers and maintain ethical standards.
