Swinney praises scheme to help employers recruit international care workers

A Scottish Government scheme to help the social care sector recruit international staff facing a lack of sponsorship has been reopened by John Swinney.

The First Minister hailed the initiative as “innovative” as he visited a charity in Fife on Monday.

The displaced workers scheme is aimed at mitigating the loss of international recruitment caused by changes to the UK immigration system.

It covers additional costs which employers face when hiring a worker already in the UK.

Home Office statistics show that the number of Health and Care Worker visas issued to migrant workers in a Caring Personal Service occupation fell by 88% recently, due to changes to regulations.

Mr Swinney said the scheme was “relieving pressure within our health and social care system” when he visited Quarriers Fife Supported Living to meet international workers in the adult social care sector.

The charity sponsors several international workers and has also applied to the Scottish Government’s scheme to employ displaced workers.

The First Minister also announced that the £500,000 fund is reopening for applications following positive feedback from providers.

“This innovative scheme is just one example of how we are increasing capacity and relieving pressure within our health and social care system.”

His announcement came ahead of publication of the draft Scottish Budget for 2026-27 being published on Tuesday.

Mr Swinney met internationally recruited social care workers during a visit to health and social care charity Quarriers in Cowdenbeath, and said that 138 expressions of interest had been received.

The charity said that it was a “practical, targeted measure that helps employers like us meet the additional costs of recruiting workers who are already in the UK but have lost sponsorship through no fault of their own”.

Mr Swinney said: “The UK Government’s decision to close the adult social care visa route to new overseas applications means this vital sector faces significant recruitment challenges during a time of great need.

“I have heard how our displaced workers scheme is enabling more people to continue to build lives and livelihoods in a welcoming and open Scotland.

“It signals the type of country we are working to create – one with kindness and fairness at its heart – and ensures we can continue making a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable.

“We have already received 138 expressions of interest in the scheme, with positions expected to be filled over this month and next.

“But we want many more employers and workers to benefit, so we are reopening the fund and I would urge all eligible social care providers to express an interest in applying.

He added: “The Scottish budget will be firmly focused on my priorities: delivering strong and sustainable public services, growing the economy and supporting families.”

Alastair Dickson, director of people and wellbeing at Quarriers, said: “We were pleased to welcome the First Minister to our service in Cowdenbeath to meet international care workers and hear directly about their significant contribution to Quarriers.

“As an employer sponsor, this aligns with our priorities of investment, innovation, and inclusion to strengthen services and support a stable workforce. Quarriers is grateful for support through the Displaced Worker Scheme.

“It is a practical, targeted measure that helps employers like us meet the additional costs of recruiting workers who are already in the UK but have lost sponsorship through no fault of their own. This helps protect continuity of care and workforce capacity.”