Getting started with international recruitment
Guidance for employers
Recruiting international staff brings real benefits to care providers in adult social care. However, all care providers know that recruiting internationally can feel challenging at first. That's why we have assembled the following information to help.
Code of Practice: Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
In the first instance, it is important that anyone exploring international recruitment is familiar with the DHSC's Code of Practice. The Code of Practice aims to promote:
- High standards of ethical international recruitment
- Health and social care system sustainability, through agreed international co-operation
Overseas recruitment guide: Local Government Association (LGA)
The LGA's overseas recruitment bite-size guide for social care providers in England, is a step-by-step guide for independent care providers.
Ethical recruitment guidance
Ethical recruitment is the basis for successful staff recruitment and retention. It also assures a high-quality care provision.
Skills for Care's international recruitment guidance documents help employers explore and maximise opportunities that overseas recruitment offers.
The guidance includes videos on points-based immigration in social care, ethical recruitment and how to apply for a sponsor. There is also a help sheet called 'Becoming a visa sponsor for adult social care providers'. It includes how to recruit an adult social care worker from outside the UK and what is needed.
Ethical recruitment tools
As a result of collaborative consultation, International Recruitment East has commissioned support for care providers in the Eastern Region from BA Healthcare. All the following resources are free:
- You can watch 6 recorded webinars on ethical recruitment
- Read our FAQs document on ethical international recruitment
- Access our ethical recruitment tool
Countries that can be recruited from
There is a restricted list of countries that can be actively recruited from. This list is based upon the World Health Organisation Workforce Support and Safeguard List 2023. It is being continually updated.
Ethical recruiters list
The ethical recruiters list is a comprehensive list of recruitment organisations, agencies and collaborations that operate in accordance with the Code of Practice. All social care providers are asked to only use agencies included on the ethical recruiters list.
Recruiting workers impacted by a care provider's sponsorship licence being revoked
Local authorities have formed partnerships and created mailboxes to support international recruits impacted by their employer having their sponsorship licence revoked. This is as a result of 2024/25 DHSC funding,
To look into recruiting an impacted international recruit, find the area relevant to you and use the mailbox for enquiries.
Providers in Essex, Suffolk, Southend, Thurrock and Hertfordshire
Mailbox: EssexSuffolkHertsIR@essex.gov.uk
Providers in Cambridgeshire
Mailbox: irsupportcambs@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Providers in Norfolk
Mailbox: internationalsupport@norfolkcareassociation.org.uk
Providers in Milton Keynes
Mailbox: IWSupport@worksforus.org.uk
Providers in Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough and Luton
Mailbox: IR.DISPLACEDWORKERSUPPORT@BLCB.CO.UK
Providers in Peterborough
Mailbox: IRSupport@peterborough.gov.uk
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