I am a sponsored care worker - how do I engage with the displaced worker pool in BNSSG?
You may have received a letter from the Home Office to say that your employer's licence has been revoked. Being informed that your employer has had their licence revoked will be a stressful and daunting situation, but there are people who can support you through this.
It is important that you contact the organisations detailed in your letter as soon as possible. You will have 60 days to find a new job and sponsor as well as complete the new visa process, after this time it could be that you will need to leave the UK.
Contact your regional partnership - for the South West this is:
commissioning.swadass@swcouncils.gov.uk
They will ask you to complete the following MS Form with your details:
https://forms.office.com/e/GLFSTA1gMZ
Once submitted, you will be added to the South West worker redeployment pool.
As a member of this pool, you will have access to care worker vacancies in your home location - So if you live in Bristol you will receive information about job vacancies in Bristol. This list is called a Job Base, and it will be sent to you so you can start to contact the local care providers with roles they are looking to fill.
Your information will be passed on to your local authority team. They'll be in touch within five working days.
Unfortunately, the South West displaced worker pool is only open to those who live in the South West. If you live in another part of England, Scotland or Wales you will need to refer to your local regional partnership.
Click here {add link} to find your local partnership {link}https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-offer-to-international-asc-workers-whose-employers-sponsor-licence-has-been-revoked/support-offer-to-international-asc-workers-whose-employers-sponsor-licence-has-been-revoked
Where else can I get help?
Here are some organisations who can help if you find yourself displaced:
Care Workers Charity - https://www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk
Citizen's Advice: They have lots of information to support you, and they also operate local offices where you can make an appointment, or drop-in to speak to an adviser.
NRPF (No Recourse to Public Funds) Network - https://migrantfamilies.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/
You can also get support with exploitation and modern slavery:
If you believe that you are, or someone you know is a victim of exploitation or modern slavery please call Unseen on: 08000 121 700 or you can report your concerns on their website: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org
Justice & Care: https://justiceandcare.org/app/uploads/2024/03/Guidance-For-International-Workers-in-the-Care-Sector.pdf
What happens if you have overstayed your visa?
The Home Office will not remind you if your visa is about to expire, and if you continue to live in the UK after your visa has expired you will be considered to be living here illegally. Please seek help if you are in this situation. You can talk to a regulated immigration adviser.
The JCWI (joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants) may also be able to help as they may be able to provide free and confidential advice: www.jcwi.org.uk. The Citizen's Advice also have information that could support you in this situation.
Read More about deportation and living in the UK Illegally on the citizen’s advice website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/immigration/deportation-and-living-in-the-uk-illegally/
What if you want to return home?
It may be that on notification that your sponsor has lost their licence that you would like to return home, but need help to do that. The UK government may be able to support you to return home. You can call their helpline 0300 004 0202 (Mon-Fri 9-5) to find out more.
Read more about the support available to help you to return home on the UK government website: https://www.gov.uk/return-home-voluntarily