Opening training places. Opening new futures.
The Extra Place Pledge is a Welcome Well campaign inviting adult social care providers and training organisations to offer free places on existing training courses to internationally recruited care workers who are looking to rebuild their careers in UK social care.
Many internationally recruited care workers have valuable experience, commitment and compassion, but may need to refresh their skills, strengthen their confidence, or gain additional UK-based training before applying for a new sponsored role.
By pledging one or more extra training places, care providers can make a practical difference — helping skilled care workers stay connected to the sector while also strengthening the wider adult social care workforce.
How the scheme works
Adult social care providers who already run training for their own staff can pledge one or more additional places for eligible internationally recruited care workers.
These may include places on courses delivered online or pace to face. Subjects might include:
- care certificate training
- moving and handling
- medication awareness
- safeguarding adults
- infection prevention and control
- dementia awareness
- autism and learning disability awareness
- mental health awareness
- first aid
- communication and record keeping
- person-centred care
- other relevant adult social care training
Welcome Well helps promote the available opportunities and connects eligible care workers with participating providers.
The idea is simple:
when you train your team, offer one extra place to someone who needs it.
Supporting internationally recruited care workers
The Extra Place Pledge is designed to support internationally recruited care workers who want to remain in adult social care but need help to strengthen their skills, qualifications and employability.
Free access to training can help care workers:
- refresh essential care knowledge and skills
- build confidence in UK adult social care practice
- demonstrate commitment to future employers
- improve their CV and job applications
- prepare for interviews and new sponsored roles
- understand UK care standards, values and expectations
- stay connected to the care sector during a difficult transition
- feel welcomed, valued and supported
For many workers, one free training place can be more than a course. It can be a step back towards stability, employment and a future in care.
Benefits for participating employers
Employers who join The Extra Place Pledge are helping to protect and strengthen the adult social care workforce.
By offering spare or additional training places, providers can:
- make meaningful use of existing training capacity
- support internationally recruited care workers who are ready to contribute
- demonstrate social value and sector leadership
- show commitment to inclusion, fairness and workforce development
- build positive links with skilled care workers seeking new roles
- enhance their reputation as a responsible care employer
- contribute to workforce resilience across adult social care
- support people who may otherwise leave the sector
The scheme is also a practical way for providers to show that adult social care is a sector built on compassion, opportunity and shared responsibility.
Why this matters
Internationally recruited care workers make an important contribution to adult social care across the UK. Many have already supported older people, disabled people and people with complex needs with dignity and dedication.
However, some workers face uncertainty when sponsorship arrangements change or employment ends. Without support, skilled and motivated care workers may lose confidence, struggle to access training, or leave the sector altogether.
The Extra Place Pledge helps bridge that gap.
It gives care providers a simple way to help, and gives care workers access to training that may improve their chances of securing a new sponsored role.
Together, we can help people keep moving forward.
Make the pledge
If your organisation delivers training to your own care staff, you can support the campaign by pledging one or more free places for internationally recruited care workers.
You do not need to create a new course. You simply offer an extra place on training you are already running, where appropriate.
Your pledge could support one person to:
- rebuild their confidence
- strengthen their skills
- improve their employment prospects
- stay in the adult social care workforce
- continue making a difference to people’s lives
Pledge an extra place today
Click below to join The Extra Place Pledge and help open training opportunities for internationally recruited care workers.
One extra place can change a career.
