Adult Social Care Displaced Worker Scheme
- Published
- 3 December 2025
- Topic
- Health and social care
Information for Scottish adult social care employers and displaced international workers affected by UK government immigration policy changes.
About the scheme
The scheme is designed to assist in removing the barriers faced by Scottish adult social care employers in employing displaced international workers.
The international displaced worker must already be in the UK and have lost their previous employment through no fault of their own. For example, through their employer’s loss of their sponsorship licence.
A barrier to employing a displaced international worker is often financial cost, such as Home Office fees and additional costs associated with relocation.
The scheme offers targeted funding to help remove these barriers for eligible Scottish social care employers.
How to apply
Scottish social care employers can apply for funding to help remove barriers in employing up to 3 displaced international adult social care workers.
Employers who meet the criteria below are invited to request an application for funding.
Employers must:
-
hold a current health and care visa sponsor licence
-
have an existing, legitimate vacancy that they have not been able to fill
-
be registered with the Care Inspectorate
If you meet this criteria, you should email ascdisplacedworker@gov.scot to request an application form. The closing date for applications is 31 December 2025.
Additional support for employers
Scotland’s Migration Service offers guidance on hiring international workers. This includes access to free one-to-one advice sessions with independent immigration lawyers.
Immigration policy
Immigration matters are fully reserved to the UK Government, which manages the design and operation of the immigration system through the Home Office.
The UK Government closed the health and care visa route to new international social care worker applications in July 2025, as part of their immigration reforms.
Information for displaced workers
The Scottish Government funds the Centre for Workforce Supply (CWSS) who help to support ethical and sustainable international recruitment across the adult social care sector.
CWSS provides support for international care workers and social care employers.
Get more information at:
Contact
Email: ascdisplacedworker@gov.scot