NHS Professional logo


Page banner showing three pairs of international social care workers with patients.

Cheshire and Merseyside International Social Care Recruitment

Commissioned by the nine Local Authorities in Cheshire and Merseyside, NHS Professionals International has developed a comprehensive, FREE recruitment support service for over 1,000 care providers.

This includes a user-friendly web portal (accessible below), a bookable consultation service, and in-depth training, all completely free of charge.

With our expert support, domiciliary and residential care providers of all sizes can confidently recruit and retain two key groups: internationally relocated care workers and displaced care workers – experienced individuals already in the UK whose previous sponsorship has ended, often due to their employer losing a sponsor licence. Many are now seeking new, stable roles in adult social care.

We also support providers with existing sponsored staff, helping them stay compliant with ongoing Home Office responsibilities, including what to expect during a potential audit. This ensures the continued delivery of safe, high-quality care across the region.

Not part of Cheshire and Merseyside? Find out how your Local Authority or ICB can commission our solution, with the potential to use your 2025–2026 International Recruitment Regional Fund for Adult Social Care. Contact us at cmsocialcare@nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk

 

Book our consultation service

Need extra support? Our dedicated team is here to help. Book a consultation session, available Monday to Friday, 10:00–16:00, for tailored guidance on any questions you may have as an employer.

Book consultation

 

Further information on the support service

To help you make the most of this service, we’ve arranged a series of comprehensive training sessions. We offer:

  • Lunch and Learn (30 minutes): A concise session covering key topics.
  • In-Depth Training (1 hour 30 minutes): A detailed exploration of the process.

What the training covers:

  • Visa Types – Overview of different visa categories for employment.
  • Sponsorship Management System (SMS) – Best practices for managing sponsorship duties.
  • E-Visa, Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), and Right to Work – Understanding verification processes.
  • Displaced Sponsored Workers – Who they are and how to recruit them.
  • Home Office Audit – Key steps to ensure compliance.
  • Working Hours – Guidelines on additional 20-hour work allowances.
  • English Language Assessment – How to assess overseas candidates.

Simply register for training. A member of our team will then add you to the Microsoft Teams meeting, and you’ll receive a reminder email with the joining link on the day of the session. We look forward to seeing you there.

To access the web portal, please follow these steps to complete your registration:

  1. Open a guide: Select a guide below and click Find out more to access the portal
  2. Register your details: Click on the Register tab, enter your email address, agree to the privacy notice, and then click Register
  3. Verify your email: You'll receive a verification email within a few minutes (be sure to check your spam/junk folder if you don't see it)
  4. Click Verify Email: Click the link in the verification email to confirm your registration
  5. Create a password: You will be redirected back to the guide where you can create your password. Once set, click Continue

Your registration is now complete, and you can begin accessing the guides and resources available on the portal. If you have any queries with registering, please contact cmsocialcare@nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk or book a consultation session (link above) to discuss with one of our team.

Introduction

An overview of the support available through this project, including a step-by-step guide to the displaced worker and sponsored worker recruitment process.

Find out more

Recruiting displaced workers

Key guidance and considerations for recruiting displaced workers already living in the UK.

Find out more

Selection

Support with candidate selection, including tips for effective interviews and a sample offer letter.

Find out more

Becoming a sponsorship organisation

Step-by-step guidance on applying for a sponsor licence, using the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), and meeting your responsibilities as a sponsor.

Find out more

Sponsored worker management and SMS guidance

How to manage sponsored workers through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) and stay compliant with UKVI requirements.

Find out more

Compliance checks

A guide to essential compliance checks for both sponsored and displaced workers.

Find out more

Certificates of Sponsorship and visa applications

Guidance on assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (COS) and supporting visa applications for sponsored workers.

Find out more

Pastoral support, onboarding and community networks

Guidance on onboarding and induction support, as well as pastoral care, including health and wellbeing resources.

Find out more

Ethical recruitment

An overview of ethical recruitment principles and your responsibilities as an employer.

Find out more

Location guides

Helpful guides for sponsored workers moving to a new area in the UK.

Find out more

Training resources and reference materials

Practical resources to support you as an employer.

Find out more

Contact

If you would like to find out more about our support service, please contact cmsocialcare@nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk