The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that the International Recruitment Regional Fund for the adult social care sector will continue for 2026/27.
The government is making up to £7.5 million available in the 2026 to 2027 financial year. This is to continue to fund 15 regional partnerships to support international care workers impacted by sponsor licence revocations into new ethical employment as quickly as possible.
The main objectives of the fund in 2026 to 2027 are for regional partnerships to:
- Support international care workers impacted by sponsor licence revocations (displaced workers) into new ethical employment as quickly as possible
- Proactively engage with adult social care providers to encourage recruitment of displaced workers and promote ethical recruitment practices
The new GOV.UK guidance sets out the objectives of the fund and the funding arrangements for regional partnerships for the year ahead.
The fund is intended to support regional collaboration across the adult social care sector, helping areas respond to workforce pressures and strengthen ethical international recruitment activity.
