Support for displaced international recruits

Displaced recruits

We provide help for displaced care workers who are looking for a new sponsor in Adult Social Care.

Our help is available to those people who have lost work with a previous employer because the international recruitment sponsorship licence was removed by the UK Visa and Immigration. We can also offer support to those who have been affected by poor working conditions.

To access our job matching support, you may have been contacted by the UK Visa and Immigration Service (UKVI) and informed that your current employer has lost their licence. We will need to see a copy of the email/ letter that UKVI sent to help further with your enquiry. If you have not received this, please confirm the reason you're requesting our support.

This page provides information and advice to support you in this situation.

Available support

If you need further information after you receive your letter, you can call the UKVI Contact Centre on 0300 790 6268 and choose option 2.

Lines are open:

  • Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4.45pm
  • Friday (excluding bank holidays), 9am to 4.30pm

There is guidance from the Department for Health and Social Care to help international recruits looking for jobs in the UK's social care sector.

This guidance includes information on:

  • how to avoid scams (being taken advantage of)
  • signs of exploitation
  • funding further support
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Help understanding your rights

Citizens Advice can provide free, independent, legal advice, you can also call their Adviceline (England) on 0800 144 8848.

They have developed the Citizens Advice guidance and advice for those on a Health and Care Visa, which includes advice on when a carer loses their job.

Law Centres are also able to provide free legal advice.

GOV.UK's Adviser Finder has a list of regulated immigration advisers, it includes details of advisers who do not charge fees.

Care workers can also access support from trade unions and Diaspora groups or associations for advice and help. There is a list of organisations to support you during your employment on GOV.UK.

Justice and Care are a charity working with victims of slavery and human trafficking. View the Justcie and Care guidance for international workers in the care sector for details of employment rights, information on labour exploitation, and how to report concerns.

Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) have developed a page about your rights as a worker that are protected by UK law.

You can also find a breakdown of your employee rights and what to expect from the employer in this guide developed by Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Lancashire County Council and the Pan-Lancashire Anti-Slavery Partnership:

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Employment rights

You may want to raise concerns if you feel you:

  • have been underpaid or not received money for hours worked
  • had money taken away from your pay
  • have a contractual repayment cause in your contract

ACAS provides free, impartial advice to employees on workplace rights and rules. They can also help with dispute resolution. You can get advice from the ACAS website or call their helpline on 0300 123 1100. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Care workers can join a trade union. Unions provide advice on employment rights and support with grievances or concerns with employers. There is a list of trade union organisations on GOV.UK.

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Support to access to benefits

A person with no recourse to public funds may be able to access some benefits if they meet qualifying requirements.

The No Recourse to Public Funds Network have developed a tool to help work out when further housing and financial support is available.

Local councils have welfare schemes to help with food, clothes, and bills. Each scheme has its own rules about who can get help. Contact your local council to check if you're eligible.

A list of food banks is available through the Trussell Trust.

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Accommodation

If your previous employer or sponsor provided your accommodation and you now do not have any accommodation you can raise concerns.

Seek advice on your rights and tenancy agreement from Citizens Advice or Shelter.

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Computer and WiFi access in libraries

Our libraries offer use of computers up to 2 hours a day but may be restricted at peak periods like school holidays. At quiet times you may be able to use a computer without booking, but you might need to book a slot in advance.

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Abuse and labour exploitation

There is support available if you feel you have suffered abuse.

Your employer could have taken advantage of you if you:

  • had your wages withheld, excessive deductions from wages, received pay below National Living Wage, or were underpaid for hours worked
  • worked excessively long hours
  • were made to pay excessive fees or excessive repayment clauses
  • received threats to your immigration status if you failed to comply or refused to work extra hours
  • suffered physical abuse, harassment, or violence

If you're a victim of labour exploitation, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or file a report online on the Unseen charity website.

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Leaving the UK

If you want to leave the UK, you may choose to leave the UK voluntarily. If you don't have the means to do this, you may be eligible for support from the Home Office to leave the UK.

If you're considering whether to return to your country of origin, get legal advice from an immigration adviser so you're clear about the implications. Contact your local council who will help you.

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CV and interview support

Our Refugee Integration Team have now expanded an 'International Recruitment' offer that is free to access, if you have lost work with a previous employer because the international recruitment sponsorship licence was removed by UKVI or those who have been affected by poor working conditions. The training/skills support on offer:

  • CV writing and reviewing
  • cover letter writing and reviewing
  • interview techniques
  • practice interview sessions
  • 'how to apply for a job' support

Some group sessions that are also on offer:

  • English language support in Care Work
  • cultural awareness workshop
  • local accents and dialects in Lancashire workshop
  • driving theory ESOL course

There are charity and volunteer organisations across England who can support with clothing for interviews, as well as help to prepare for interviews. Support available in each area will vary. You may need a referral from your local council or agency as well as proof of an interview.

The National Careers Service have online resources to support with writing CVs, preparing cover letters, completing applications, and preparing for interviews.

Smart works work across England to support women prepare for interviews with clothing and interview preparation support

Suited & booted offer interview training, support and smart wear for unemployed or low-income workers. See Suited & Booted for support for men and Dress for Success for support for women.

Suited for success offer interview clothing and one-to-one job coaching support.

Timpson offer a free dry-cleaning service for those attending interviews. The service is available across all 500 stores.

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Modern slavery

Modern slavery refers to situations where individuals are exploited and unable to leave due to threats, violence, coercion, deception, or abuse of power. It encompasses various forms of exploitation such as human trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, and child labour.

Signs of modern slavery

Recognising the signs of modern slavery is crucial for identifying and helping victims. Some common indicators include:

  • physical appearance: malnourished, tired, or showing signs of physical abuse
  • lack of autonomy: under control of someone else, reluctant to interact with others
  • restricted movement: confined living conditions, limited freedom to move
  • inappropriate attire: wearing unsuitable clothing for work or weather conditions
  • social withdrawal: Reluctant to engage with others, showing signs of psychological trauma
  • excessive labour: Long working hours, often in poor conditions
  • health neglect: Untreated injuries or illnesses
  • financial exploitation: debt bondage, limited access to earnings
  • identity issues: lack of personal identification documents

How to report modern slavery

If you suspect someone is a victim of modern slavery, it's important to report it to the appropriate authorities. Here are some ways to do so

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Contact International Recruitment Team

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