After applying to the Home Office in December 2025, the application was approved in January of this year. It means that while following UK immigration rules, Kingdom can employ non-UK nationals to continue with the valuable work of KSC within the care sector.

KSC was assigned the Certificates of Sponsorship to support employees with a Health and Care Worker visa. To be considered, the applicants need to have qualifications as doctors, nurses, health professionals or adult social care professionals. Crucially, the visas will mean more scope for filling vacancies long-term in “hard-to-recruit” areas.

Kingdom’s Director of Support and Care, Paul White, said: “We first got involved with the scheme when higher numbers of non-UK nationals began to apply for work in our Forth Valley services. Many of the candidates were already studying at the University of Stirling.

“We were impressed by the quality of these staff, who began to highlight the benefits of visa sponsorship, not just for them, but for Kingdom. Lisa Beveridge, previously the Service Coordinator of our Slamannan service, and Heather Millar, our Support and Care Manager, were early champions of visa sponsorship, so we looked into it more.

“The scheme means we can fill vacancies efficiently and help to stabilise our workforce in the long term, while improving the knowledge and skills on offer to us. Most migrant workers in KSC are highly qualified, including to Doctorate and Masters levels.

“Not only that, but we’re bringing different cultural experiences of support and care and its social value. Our workers demonstrate high levels of resilience, which is particularly helpful in services for individuals with complex needs.”

As part of the Health and Care Worker visa, employees will receive a certificate of sponsorship from Kingdom with information about the role they’ve been offered in the UK and they’re guaranteed to be paid a minimum salary.

Precious Imhangbe was the first Kingdom employee to have her visa sponsorship confirmed, and said: “I am a support worker in Kingdom and being part of the scheme means a lot to me. I feel grateful for the opportunity and proud to be one of the first people to be sponsored by KSC.

“It reflects the organisation’s commitment to inclusivity and appreciation for the valuable contributions an international workforce brings. It gives people like me the opportunity to continue building our career in the UK while supporting the community.

“I’m looking forward to completing my SVQ level 3, which will help me develop my skills further and contribute towards the greater goals of KSC as an organisation.

“I’m enjoying the healthy work culture and connecting with the people I support, and seeing the impact that good care and support can have on their wellbeing and independence.”

KSC officially launched the scheme at an informal reception last month, allowing employees, directors and Board members to celebrate the initiative and highlight successes so far.