International recruitment is a great way to find skilled and diverse workers, but employers often tell us they have trouble navigating the legalities of recruiting internationally. 

We have information to support you to recruit internationally including: 

• Modern slavery – we’ve produced a series of bitesized videos in partnership with Hestia and the National Care Forum to offer guidance.
• Becoming a Visa sponsor helpsheet for adult social care providers
• Overseas recruitment bite-size guide 
• DHSC and Home Office videos – covering points-based immigration in social care, ethical recruitment and how to apply for a sponsor licence.
• Safer recruitment 
• Other government guidance 
• Pastoral support

• Employer experiences – employer best practice examples across different settings

• International recruitment virtual event (2021)
• Additional supporting guidance
• Blogs and articles on international recruitment

Becoming a Visa sponsor helpsheet for adult social care providers

Produced by the DHSC, this document takes you step-by-step through the process of gaining your sponsorship licence.

Access the Becoming a Visa sponsor helpsheet

Overseas recruitment bite-size guide

Produced by the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Care, with the South East Social Care Alliance, the overseas recruitment bite-size guide for social care providers in England will help care providers explore and maximise opportunities that overseas recruitment offers.

Access the Overseas recruitment bite-size guide

DHSC and Home Office guidance

Code of practice for international recruitment

Employers have a responsibility to ensure they recruit overseas colleagues in an ethically responsible manner. This Government guide sets out principles and best practice benchmarks to be adhered to by all employers when recruiting international health and social care personnel.

Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England

Ethical Recruiters List

A comprehensive list of recruitment organisations, agencies, and collaborations that operate in accordance with the code of practice.

Ethical recruiters list

Ensuring ethical recruitment

Dave Howarth from the DHSC explains what ethical recruitment is and the Code of Practice for International Recruitment.