Building on the achievements and learning of the West Midlands International Recruitment Programme, the 2026/27 Local Innovation Fund is supporting eight locally led projects.
The Fund builds on previous work supporting international care workers through pastoral care, employment matching, training and practical advice, while developing innovative approaches to wider workforce challenges.
Projects include:
- Coffee and Care (Coventry): Delivered by St Francis and Tulia, bringing care workers, employers and communities together through informal events to improve connections and employment opportunities.
- Care Worker Driver Safety (Shropshire/Regional): Delivered by West Midlands Care Association and Partners in Care, providing webinars, e-learning and practical guidance to improve driving safety and awareness of legal responsibilities.
- Support for Displaced Care Workers (Walsall/Black Country): Delivered by Wellbeing Empowered CIC, providing immigration, employment rights and wellbeing support, including community sessions and individual casework.
- Advice First Aid (Telford & Wrekin): Delivered by Partners in Care and Citizens Advice, helping care providers and international care workers access specialist advice, guidance and support during times of crisis.
- Inclusive Care Training (Solihull): Providing specialist training to strengthen inclusive care for LGBTQ+ community.
- Care Counts (Regional): Delivered by West Midlands ADASS, developing workforce intelligence and data tools to support future planning and preserve learning from the International Recruitment Programme.
By investing in local partnerships and practical innovation, the Fund aims to turn learning from international recruitment into sustainable improvements across the West Midlands.
