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Grants and funding

The Government has made funding available to support international recruitment into the adult social care sector during the 2023-24 financial year. In the South East region, this will fund a scheme to distribute grants of £1,500 to help CQC registered providers recruit overseas workers.

Grants can be claimed by providers who have been awarded a Sponsorship Licence, OR have allocated a Certificate of Sponsorship to an overseas worker after the 31st March 2023.

Grants are being managed by local hubs, with the East Sussex Care Association, RCA Ltd processing applications from Sussex providers.

  • the process

    Any provider wishing to apply for a grant should first check that they meet the scheme eligibility criteria: South East Region International Recruitment Grant Scheme – Grant Conditions

    Providers are invited to complete the grant application (link below). The application form is straightforward to complete, requiring CQC registration details and information relating to previous international recruitment experience.

    The application will then be assessed by the local Sussex Hub and applicants will receive a response within 14 days.

    The East Sussex Care Association, RCA Ltd are processing applications from Sussex providers and also have a useful guide for Sussex providers including things to consider when recruiting from overseas. Visit their website here

  • applications

    UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS

    If your application is unsuccessful, you may appeal the decision with the Hub. Appeals can be escalated within the SESCA International Recruitment Project Team, who will make the final decision. If your circumstances change, you are welcome to complete a new application.

    SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS

    If your application is successful, you will receive an email inviting you to submit your claim for the £1500 grant funding. Claims will be submitted to the awarding hub, and will need to include the following information and evidence:

    • Provider name and CQC location ID

    • Date of successful application (not any previous applications)

    • Date of either:

      • award of new Sponsor licence
      • allocation of a Certificate of Sponsorship to a new overseas employee

    • PDF copies of the above

    • Details for the individual within the organisation whom the hub should contact to obtain bank details

    • Statement confirming that the provider:

      • consents to having contact details shared with Project Evaluation Team, and acknowledges that they may be approached by the team at any time for feedback
      • will cooperate with any spot checks carried out by the hub, in order to meet compliance requirements
      • will abide by the grant conditions.

  • timescales

    You may submit a claim for a grant as soon as you receive confirmation of your successful application AND you have evidence of a Sponsorship Licence or that you have allocated a Certificate of Sponsorship to an overseas worker after the 31st March 2023.

    Payments will be made between 2 and 4 weeks from receipt of your claim, subject to scheduled payment runs.

    Claims must be received by midday on the 15th March 2024. Claims received after this date will not be paid, regardless of the delay (including Home Office processing delays)

sussex grant application form