The Adult Social Care Displaced Worker Scheme reopened on 31 July.
The relaunch includes important changes that workers have been calling for, including a stronger focus on supporting displaced social care workers already living and working in Scotland.
Over the past year, workers involved with Worker Support Centre have shared the challenges they face when losing sponsorship. Together, they raised concerns about gaps in support with the Scottish Government, which helped inform some of the improvements in the new scheme.
While there is still more work to do, these changes show the power of workers coming together to speak up and influence the decisions that affect their lives.
What is the Adult Social Care Displaced Worker Scheme?
The scheme is designed to help social care workers who have lost their job because their employer has lost their licence.
It provides funding and support to help social care employers in Scotland recruit displaced international workers, removing barriers for employers so workers can find a new sponsored job and continue living and working in Scotland.
What’s changed?
One of the biggest changes is that the scheme will now focus on supporting displaced workers who are already living and working in Scotland.
Also, for jobs in remote and rural parts of Scotland, employers can get up to £1,000 per worker to help pay for relocation costs.
The Scottish Government will also work with the Home Office to alert them of employers participating in the scheme to fast track the allocation of Certificates of Sponsorship for affected workers.
Looking for work?
Ethical recruitment agencies can help connect displaced workers with employers, at no cost to workers.
We encourage you to register with all three agencies to increase your chances of finding a new role:
Need support?
If you have questions about your rights or finding new employment, Worker Support Centre is here to help. We know this can be a stressful time, but you do not have to navigate it alone.
You can contact us via email at support@workersupportcentre.org.uk.
We speak Russian, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Kurdish Kurmanji, Kazakh, Shona, Ndebele, Spanish, Italian, French and English or can provide an interpreter.