From 9 April 2025, UK sponsors of care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) must engage with their Regional Care Partnership (RCP) before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), unless an exemption applies.
You do not need to engage with an RCP if the care or senior care worker has been lawfully employed in the same role by the sponsor for at least 3 months before assigning the CoS.
These rules aim to ensure displaced care workers (those whose previous sponsor lost their licence) are given fair consideration.
What Counts as RCP Engagement?
Sponsors must:
Contact the relevant RCP.
Request information about any displaced workers.
Consider these workers before assigning a CoS.
Sponsors are not obligated to hire a displaced worker - only to make the enquiry and consider them.
Do I Need to Keep Records?
Yes. Sponsors must keep clear and auditable evidence of RCP engagement, including:
Emails or messages sent to the RCP
Dates of contact and responses
A short note explaining the outcome (e.g. why a displaced worker was not sponsored)
Keep all documentation with the worker’s sponsorship records. The Home Office may request this.
Who does this apply to?
This rule applies only to candidates being recruited under SOC codes 6135 or 6136 (Care Worker/Senior Care Worker) and is relevant solely to those who will be working in England.
Who is exempt?
You will not need to contact the RCP if:
The candidate has been legally employed in the same role by the sponsor for at least three months. You’ll need to provide evidence of this, such as their employment contract.
The candidate is working in Scotland.
How can I find my local RCP?
You can use the link here to find your local RCP and their contact details.
If you'd like help reaching out, feel free to use the email template provided below - just tailor it to suit your organisation’s needs:
Subject: Sponsor Enquiry – Engagement Regarding Displaced ASC Workers
Dear [Regional Contact],
I am writing on behalf of [Organisation Name], a licensed sponsor under the Skilled Worker route. In accordance with Home Office guidance effective 9 April 2025, we are seeking to engage with our regional care partnership prior to assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship to a care worker.
Please could you confirm whether there are any displaced adult social care workers currently available within your area that we should consider.
Thank you for your support.
Kind regards,
[Full Name]
[Job Title]
[Organisation Name]
[Email]
[Phone Number]
[Sponsor Licence Number]