International recruitment - support
"One Coventry - Working together to improve our city and the lives of those who live, work and study here"
Welcome to Coventry
Support and information for internationally recruited care workers and senior care workers.
Moving to a new country and starting a new job can be a positive experience, but it can also bring challenges. This page brings together information, guidance and signposting to help internationally recruited care workers and senior care workers find the support they need in Coventry.
You can find information about:
- Visa and immigration
- Employment and careers
- Housing
- Health and wellbeing
- Money and essential support
- Charities and community organisations
- Local services
- Visa and Immigration
- Working in the UK as a Care Worker or Senior Care Worker
Visa and Immigration
If you are working in England as a care workers or senior care worker, there are specific immigration requirements that apply to your employment.
Care workers are generally covered by occupation code 6135 and Senior care workers by occupation code 6136.
Your visa conditions are linked to your sponsored employment. You should check your immigration status and visa conditions before taking additional work or changing your employer.
Find out more about your job and Health and Care Worker visa requirements on GOV.UK.
Can I work another job?
You may be able to work up to 20 hours a week in additional work while continuing to work in your sponsored role, provided the additional work meets the Home Office requirements.
The 20-hour limit applies to additional work. It does not mean you can only work 20 hours in your sponsored care role.
There is no limit on overtime in your sponsored role.
Find out more about taking on additional work.
Changing your job or employer
If you want to change your employer or job, you may need to update your Health and Care Worker visa and obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before starting your new role.
If you are a care worker or senior care worker changing employer in England, your new employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) where required.
Find out more on how to update your visa if you change your job or employer.
If your sponsor's licence is revoked
If your sponsoring organisation loses its sponsor licence, this may affect your employment and immigration status.
If you are already in the UK, GOV.UK states that your Certificate of Sponsorship will be cancelled and your visa will normally be limited to 60 days, or the time remaining on your visa if this is less than 60 days. You will need to make a new visa application if you want to remain in the UK.
Find out more about if your visa sponsor loses their licence.
Employees: if your visa sponsor loses their licence – GOV.UK
Important
Immigration rules can change. Always check the latest information on GOV.UK.
Employment and careers
Support with finding employment
The International Recruitment Team provides information, guidance and signposting to support internationally recruited Care Workers. This includes supporting people who may have become displaced from their employment following difficulties with their sponsoring organisation or employment arrangements.
Our role is to help you understand your options and identify appropriate employment opportunities, services and organisations that may be able to support you.
Looking for work?
We can signpost you to vacancies, recruitment platforms, employment organisations and other services that may support your job search.
Lifted is an online recruitment platform that connects jobseekers with employers and employment opportunities. You can use Lifted to explore vacancies and connect with potential employers.
Find employment opportunities through Lifted.
West Midlands Social Care International Recruitment Hub
West Midlands Employers and West Midlands ADASS have put together a comprehensive website full of useful information for international workers, employers, and Local Authorities. There are lots of resources and support, including legal advice, health, and wellbeing and much more.
CV, skills and training support
You can also find organisations that may be able to support you with:
- CV development
- Job searching
- Employability
- Training and skills development
- English language and workplace communication
- Career advice
- Housing
St Francis Employability
St Francis Employability may be able to provide employment, training, employability and English language support, including help with CV development and job searching.
Maximus
Maximus may be able to provide employment, skills and training support, including help with employability and career development.
Shaw Trust
Shaw Trust may be able to provide employment, training and skills support.
Coventry Citizens Advice
Coventry Citizens Advice may be able to provide advice and information about employment and other issues that may affect your work or job search.
Finding suitable accommodation can be particularly important when moving to a new area or experiencing a change in employment.
Information and signposting is available for:
- Finding accommodation
- Private renting
- Tenancy advice
- Housing costs
- Homelessness support
- Support if you are at risk of losing your accommodation
Housing and homelessness charities
Coventry Cyrenians
Coventry Cyrenians may be able to support people experiencing homelessness or housing difficulties.
St Basil's
St Basil's provides housing and support services, particularly for young people.
Emmaus Coventry and Warwickshire
Emmaus Coventry and Warwickshire may be able to support people experiencing homelessness and associated challenges.
Coventry Citizens Advice
Coventry Citizens Advice may be able to provide advice and information about housing, renting, tenancy issues and money.
Refugee and Migrant Centre
The Refugee and Migrant Centre may provide support and information for refugees and migrants, including practical advice and signposting to housing and other local services.
Prove your right to rent
If you have a digital immigration status, you may be able to get a share code to prove your right to rent in England.
Prove your right to rent – GOV.UK
Get a share code to prove your right to rent
For homelessness or housing concerns, contact Coventry City Council Housing and Homelessness Services.
Health and Wellbeing
You can find information about accessing:
- GP services
- NHS healthcare
- Dental services
- Mental health support
- Wellbeing services
- Sexual health services
- Emergency healthcare
- Looking after your wellbeing
Looking after your wellbeing
Moving to a new country, adapting to a new workplace or experiencing changes to your employment can be challenging.
Local NHS, charity, and community organisations may be able to support your health and wellbeing.
Health and wellbeing charities
Coventry and Warwickshire Mind
Coventry and Warwickshire Mind may be able to provide mental health and wellbeing support.
Samaritans
Samaritans provides confidential emotional support for anyone who is struggling or needs someone to talk to.
Healthwatch Coventry
Healthwatch Coventry provides information about local health and care services and opportunities to share your experiences.
Health Exchange
Health Exchange may be able to provide community health and wellbeing support.
Refugee and Migrant Centre
The Refugee and Migrant Centre may be able to provide support and information for refugees and migrants, including practical advice and signposting to health and wellbeing services.
Carriers of Hope
Carriers of Hope may be able to provide support for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, including help accessing local services and community support.
Local NHS, charity and community organisations may be able to provide support with your health and wellbeing.
Money and essential support
You can find information and signposting for:
- Food support
- Food banks
- Energy advice
- Financial guidance
- Clothing
- Essential household items
- Support during financial difficulties
- Charities and Community Support
- Trusted support in Coventry and Warwickshire
Coventry Citizens Advice
Coventry Citizens Advice may be able to provide advice and information about money, benefits, debt, employment and other issues.
Langar Aid
Langar Aid may be able to provide food and practical support for people experiencing hardship.
Urban Goodies
Urban Goodies provides food and community support.
Clothing Coventry
Clothing Coventry provides free clothing and shoes for people experiencing clothing poverty.
Act on Energy
Act on Energy provides energy advice and support, including help with energy costs and energy efficiency.
Charities and community Support
Trusted support in Coventry and Warwickshire
A range of charities and community organisations may be able to provide support with employment, immigration, housing, health and wellbeing, finances, food and other practical needs.
The organisations listed in the relevant sections above are included to help you find support based on your circumstances.
Services have different eligibility criteria and referral arrangements. Please contact organisations directly to check whether they are able to support you.
Advice, immigration and migrant support
Coventry Citizens Advice
Advice and information on a range of issues, including employment, housing and money.
Website: Coventry Citizens Advice
Refugee and Migrant Centre
Support and information for refugees and migrants, including practical advice and signposting.
Website: Refugee and Migrant Centre
Coventry Asylum and Refugee Action Group (CARAG)
Support and information for refugees, asylum seekers and people from migrant backgrounds.
Website: CARAG
Tulia
Support and information relating to migrants and access to services.
Website: Tulia
Specialist immigration advice
For specialist immigration advice, use a regulated immigration adviser or appropriately qualified solicitor.
Family and personal support
Coventry Haven Women's Aid
Support for women experiencing domestic abuse.
Website: Coventry Haven Women's Aid
Relate Coventry
Relationship and family support.
Website: Relate Coventry
Family Hubs
Coventry Family Hubs provide information, activities and support for families, parents and carers, including support relating to children and family life.
Website: Family Hubs – Coventry City Council
Community and Integration
Cov Connects
Information about local services, activities and support available across Coventry.
Website: Cov Connects – Coventry City Council
A range of charities and community organisations may be able to provide support with employment, immigration, housing, health and wellbeing, finances, food and other practical needs.
Services have different eligibility criteria and referral arrangements. Please contact organisations directly to check whether they are able to support you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you the employer?
The International Recruitment Team provides information, guidance and signposting to internationally recruited Care Workers and Senior Care Workers.
Your employer is the organisation that employs you and, where applicable, sponsors your visa.
Can the International Recruitment Team get me a job?
The team cannot directly place you into employment. However, we can provide information and signpost you to vacancies, recruitment platforms, employment organisations and other services that may support your job search.
Lifted is one example of an online platform that connects jobseekers with employers and employment opportunities.
Can I access support if I am not currently employed?
Yes. You can still access information and signposting from the International Recruitment Team.
Depending on your circumstances, this may include signposting to employment opportunities, immigration advice, housing support, charities and other local services.
If your employment has ended and you are sponsored under a work visa, you should seek specialist immigration advice as soon as possible.
What if I want to change careers?
You can explore other career options, but your immigration conditions may affect the type of work you are permitted to undertake. You can access employment, training and careers support through the organisations listed on this page.
If changing your job or career could affect your visa, seek specialist immigration advice before making any changes.
What legal support is there in Coventry?
Tulia provides free and affordable immigration legal advice, employment support, and holistic assistance to migrants and international recruits across Coventry and the wider UK. We support individuals navigating visa issues, workplace disputes, housing challenges, and family matters — including those who have lost their employer's sponsorship. We are regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA Ref: F202100305).
Contact details:
Phone: 024 7527 8286
Email: info@tulia.org.uk
Website: Tulia
For specialist legal or immigration matters, you should seek advice from an appropriately qualified or regulated professional.
How do I know if I have the right to work?
Your right to work depends on your immigration status and the conditions attached to your permission to stay in the UK. If you have a digital immigration status, you may be able to generate a share code for an employer to check your right to work.
Prove your right to work – GOV.UK
Get a share code to prove your right to work - GOV.UK
Can you signpost me to specialist immigration advice?
Yes. We can signpost you towards appropriate sources of specialist immigration advice.
You should use an adviser who is appropriately regulated or qualified.
Find an immigration adviser – GOV.UK
You can also check what an adviser is authorised to help you with before using their services. (GOV.UK)
Can I work another job while sponsored as a care worker?
You may be able to work up to 20 hours per week in additional work, provided the additional work meets the Home Office requirements, and you continue working in your sponsored role. The 20-hour limit applies to additional work, not your sponsored care role.
Find out about additional work
What happens if my sponsor's licence is revoked?
If your sponsor loses its sponsor licence, this may affect your employment and immigration status.
For workers already in the UK, GOV.UK states that their Certificate of Sponsorship is cancelled and their visa is normally limited to 60 days, or the time remaining on their visa if this is less than 60 days. (GOV.UK)
Find out what happens if your sponsor loses their licence
Because individual circumstances can differ, you should seek specialist immigration advice as soon as possible.
What happens if I want to change my employer?
You may need to update your visa and obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship before starting your new role. If you are a Care Worker or Senior Care Worker changing employer in England, your new employer must meet the relevant sponsorship requirements, including CQC registration where required. (GOV.UK)
Find out what you need to do
What does your team do?
The International Recruitment Team provides information, guidance and signposting for internationally recruited Care Workers and Senior Care Workers.
A key part of our role is supporting recruits who may have experienced difficulties with their employment or sponsorship arrangements, including those who have become displaced from their employment.
We help recruits understand their options and access appropriate services, organisations and support.
Our aim is to make it easier for international recruits to find reliable information, access support and know where to go for further help.
Need help now?
Emergency
Call 999.
Urgent medical help
Call NHS 111.
Homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness
Contact Coventry City Council Housing and Homelessness Services.
Urgent immigration concerns
Seek advice from a regulated immigration adviser or appropriately qualified solicitor.
Contact the International Recruitment Team
Can't find the information you need? Contact the International Recruitment Team for information and signposting.
Email: IR@coventry.gov.uk
Please note that the International Recruitment Team provides information, guidance and signposting. Specialist immigration, legal and financial advice should be obtained from the appropriate qualified organisation or professional.
Important information
The information on this webpage is intended as general guidance and signposting.
Immigration rules, eligibility criteria and service availability can change. Always check the latest information with the relevant organisation or on GOV.UK.