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An innovative pilot scheme to allow health and social care professionals from overseas to progress into senior positions by accessing funded training for the first time has been hailed a success.
Leading training provider Realise secured the backing of Yorkshire Learning Providers through the Skills Connect funding stream to offer the Level 4 Transition to Leadership and the Management of Innovation and Change qualification to 16 people residing in the UK on sponsorship visas.
The learners all work at Meridian Health and Social Care in settings across Leeds and Wakefield.
Breaking barriers to training access
It is the first time care professionals on sponsorship visas have been able to access public funding for training outside of Greater London.
Some of those who completed the pilot programme have already been promoted into senior positions.
Addressing the staffing crisis through upskilling
Lesley O’Connor, Head of Strategic Development at Realise, said upskilling overseas workers offered huge potential in helping to address the staffing crisis within care.
She said:
“Usually people on sponsorship visas have to be in England for three years before they can access public funding for training. They are expected to pay for all their training and, understandably, this is a barrier for many people.
“Meanwhile, employers are desperate to upskill staff but can’t afford to. This pilot sought to prove the benefits of giving people on sponsorship visas equality of training.
Supporting career progression and retention
Lesley continues,
“Following this pilot, we can demonstrate this programme works and we would like to take it to other devolved regions to help care settings develop their people.”
Lesley said people are more likely to apply for a visa extension and show loyalty to a setting if they feel they have been invested in.
A first for West Yorkshire
The pilot followed negotiations between Realise and Yorkshire Learning Providers. It was the first time funded Level 4 provision of any kind had been offered in the West Yorkshire Combined Authority region.
The 16 learners completed the programme over 10 weeks, including one-to-ones, webinars and final discussion.
The programme is designed to help learners advance in their careers – into positions such as deputy manager – and includes single unit delivery of the Management of Innovation and Change at Level 5, an accredited element which adds credibility and helps with Leave to Remain applications.
Real success stories at Meridian Health & Social Care
Claire Ross, Registered Branch Manager at Meridian Health & Social Care in Wakefield, said two of its employees that had completed the course had already been promoted to team leader positions.
She said:
“We are thrilled that our international workers have been given a chance to progress within the company by learning these much-needed skills.
Industry recognition
Kelly Townend, Operations Manager of Yorkshire Learning Providers, praised the scheme.
Growing demand for Health and Care Visas
There were 23,200 applications from main applicants for Health and Care visas in the UK between April 2024 and January 2025.
Sponsorship visas generally last for 12 months but can be extended to two years and beyond.
Realise is proud to be paving the way to accessible training for all within our brilliant care sector.
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“Many people who come to the UK on sponsorship visas are very experienced in their country of origin. Legislation and practices might differ in the UK, but the individuals have fantastic knowledge of care provision.”
Lesley O’Connor, Head of Strategic Development, Health and Social Care – Realise
“Many people don’t want to come to the UK for a short period of time. They want to forge a career."
Lesley O’Connor, Head of Strategic Development, Health and Social Care – Realise
“Staff training is more important than ever. It increases morale and helps to give staff more responsibility in their role, allowing them the opportunity to progress in the future."
Claire Ross, Registered Branch Manager at Meridian Health & Social
"We cannot thank Realise enough for partnering up with Meridian Health and Social Care and offering us this opportunity.”
Claire Ross, Registered Branch Manager at Meridian Health & Social
“This has been a welcome addition to the Skills Connect portfolio of programmes."
Kelly Townend, Operations Manager of Yorkshire Learning Providers
"There has been a significant gap in Advanced Practitioner to Registered Manager and this bridging programme has been the perfect solution for practitioners to take the next steps in their career.”
Kelly Townend, Operations Manager of Yorkshire Learning Providers