The scheme offers targeted funding to adult social care employers based in Scotland to recruit displaced adult social care workers who are already in the UK. Employers should access the scheme, not displaced workers.
Minimum requirements to apply for this funding are that employers must:
- Hold a Sponsorship license
- Registered with the Care Inspectorate
- Have an existing, legitimate vacancy that is suitable for displaced workers on a Health and Social Care Visa
Eligible employers can apply for funding to support the employment of up to three displaced workers.
Scottish Government now invites Adult Social Care employers who are eligible, and wish to apply for targeted funding, to submit an expression of interest. Further information can be found at www.gov.scot/publications/adult-social-care-displaced-worker-scheme
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.
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 immigration lawyers.
New ‘Sponsor Licence’ filter on myjobscotland, helping displaced workers quickly and easily find a job vacancy.
Scottish Government funding allows Adult Social Care employers to post job vacancies for free on myjobscotland.
To help connect displaced workers with appropriate sponsors, there is now a filter in myjobscotland that allows employers to indicate if they hold a Sponsor Licence, making it simpler for a migrant or displaced worker to filter their job search and identify a potential employer quickly.
To tick the Sponsor Licence box when uploading a role, you must:
- hold a Sponsor Licence and are able to legally employ a displaced worker (following the requirements as set by the Home Office)
- have an existing vacancy that is suitable for displaced workers on a Health and Social Care Visa.
These posts will still appear in the main search page, and therefore will remain open to all applicants (as per post qualifying criteria), however by ticking this box, the post advertised will also appear in a specific filter that will allow displaced workers to more easily find and apply for posts with employers who hold a sponsorship license.
For a guide on how to use the Displaced Worker filter, please visit Displaced workers sponsor - How to advertise. Should you require further support please contact advertising@cosla.gov.uk
Closing date for applications
If you're eligible, please submit an expression of interest as soon as possible. The closing date for applications is 31 December 2025.