Ethical Sponsorship Programme
Following our Ethical Sponsorship Programme, ESPIC has created this dedicated
resource section to provide ongoing practical guidance and support for
adult social care providers and
sponsored care workers across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.
Throughout 2026, ESPIC delivered a programme of
in-person workshops and specialist webinars for providers and
sponsored care workers. Topics included sponsorship duties and compliance,
employment rights, National Minimum Wage, supplementary work, changing sponsors,
and recognising and preventing modern slavery and labour exploitation.
We have now brought together the key guidance, learning and support identified
through the programme into two dedicated resource directories.
Select the relevant directory below for practical guidance, trusted resources
and support.
Practical information to help providers manage sponsorship responsibly,
remain compliant and support sponsored workers effectively.
Independent information and signposting to help sponsored and displaced care
workers understand their options and access trusted support.
These resources provide an ongoing legacy from ESPIC’s Ethical Sponsorship
Programme and are designed to make it easier for providers and sponsored workers
to find relevant, trusted support in one place.
Delivered in partnership with local authorities, SESCA (South East Social Care Alliance) and trusted voluntary and community organisations, our Ethical Sponsorship Programme focuses on early intervention, practical guidance and prevention – helping to strengthen good sponsorship practice while ensuring sponsored workers know their rights and where to access independent support.
During 2026, ESPIC delivered a programme of in-person workshops and specialist webinars for both care providers and sponsored care workers.
For sponsored workers, sessions covered practical issues including understanding sponsorship and visa conditions, employment rights, National Minimum Wage, supplementary work, changing sponsors and protection from exploitation. The in-person workshops also provided a confidential environment in which workers could ask questions and access one-to-one support from trusted organisations.
For providers, webinars and workshops focused on sponsorship duties and compliance, immigration changes, National Minimum Wage compliance, and recognising and responding to modern slavery and labour exploitation.
The programme also highlighted the wider challenges facing some sponsored workers, including difficulties finding a new sponsor, financial and housing pressures, uncertainty around visa conditions and increased vulnerability to exploitation.
We have now brought the key guidance, learning, recordings and support identified through the programme together into two dedicated resource directories:
Practical guidance and resources covering sponsorship responsibilities, compliance, salary and right-to-work requirements, displaced worker recruitment, workforce support and the prevention of exploitation and modern slavery.
Explore Provider Guidance & Resources →
Independent information and signposting covering sponsorship and finding a new sponsor, immigration and employment rights, exploitation, mental health and wellbeing, debt, housing and other practical support.
Explore Sponsored Care Worker Support & Resources →
Together, these resources provide an ongoing legacy from the Ethical Sponsorship Programme and a practical source of support for providers and sponsored care workers across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.
Internationally recruited care professionals working in adult social care under the UK Skilled Worker visa route.
✔ You do not need to be facing sponsorship revocation
✔ You can attend even if things are “not quite right” at work
✔ The session is supportive, confidential and free
Delivered by experts from trusted local support organisations, these workshops provide a safe, supportive space to ask questions and share experiences with others in similar situations.
You will receive clear, practical advice to help you understand:
What good and poor sponsorship practice looks like
Your sponsorship and employment rights
Visa conditions, including supplementary working rules
Where to get help if something doesn’t feel right
The Ethical Sponsorship Programme is a partnership initiative bringing together care sector representative bodies, local authorities, specialist support organisations and voluntary and community sector enterprises across East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.
