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16 Feb 2026
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16 Feb 2026
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A scheme that makes it easier to hire “displaced” workers in Scotland could provide up to 30,000 extra hours of adult social care each month, ministers have announced.
The Adult Social Care Displaced Workers Scheme, which is backed by £500,000 of Scottish Government funding, helps employers recruit international workers who are already in the UK, but who have lost their sponsored employment.
The scheme covers the additional costs of hiring these so-called displaced workers, which often prevent employers from taking them on.
In all, up to 250 workers are projected to be re-employed once checks are completed in the spring, with visa rules meaning that each must earn at least £25,000 a year.
Social care minister Tom Arthur said the move “mitigates” the effects of the UK Government’s decisions to exclude dependants from visa applications in March 2024, and to close the social care visa route entirely in July last year.
The government pointed to Home Office statistics indicating this has led to an 88% fall in the number of health and care worker visas granted for those in a caring personal service occupation.
Mr Arthur said: “The UK Government’s hostile approach to migration and decision to close the adult social care visa route to new overseas applicants means this important sector faces serious recruitment challenges during a time of enormous need.
“Our displaced workers scheme supports a sustainable social care service and workforce for Scotland.
“This mitigates the loss of international recruitment caused by changes to the UK immigration system and helps meet the care needs of our older population, by allowing providers to deliver thousands of extra hours of valuable support.
“It also indicates the type of society we are working to support – one with kindness and fairness to the most vulnerable at its heart.”
The scheme opened on December 3 and closed on January 31, with the government saying 69 employers have already taken part in in it so far.
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