The Centre for Workforce Supply - Social Care
The Centre for Workforce Supply Social Care team (CWSS) in NHS Education for Scotland (NES) was commissioned by Scottish Government in 2023, to undertake a feasibility study on nationally coordinated and accelerated international recruitment into adult social care roles across Scotland. The study concluded in August 2024, having supported 40 people into roles in adult social care in Scotland.
Since then, the CWSS Team has been responsible for delivering a national infrastructure of support to the adult social care centre in Scotland, empowering the sector to embed ethical and sustainable, person-centred international recruitment practices.
International recruitment into adult social care
The international recruitment programme is a tripartite collaboration between the below listed partners, in addition to working with others to pilot an approach to recruit social care workers ethically and sustainably from overseas.
- The Scottish Government.
- The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) is the membership body for Scottish Councils. COSLA provides a collective voice for Scottish Councils on policy matters of interest to all councils like international recruitment in adult social care.
- NHS Education for Scotland (NES) - an education and training body and a national health board within NHS Scotland. Responsible for developing and delivering healthcare education and training for the NHS, health and social care sector and other public bodies.
Select each organisation to find out more about their role.
Our ambition:
- Work with social care providers to develop, test and embed models of accelerated, ethical and sustainable international recruitment into adult social care services in Scotland
- Make recommendations to Scottish Government for a national model.
- Build capacity and infrastructure in local systems, to support social care providers in sponsoring, employing, recruiting and onboarding international candidates, and ensuring compliance with visa requirements.
- Afford care providers greater ownership and flexibility over their workforce, enabling them to recruit the right candidates with the right skills and values to work effectively in their services and in line with local context, ensuring better outcomes for both staff and people experiencing care.
Our objectives:
- Explore the feasibility of international recruitment into adult social care in Scotland by working with partners and providers to design, test and embed models of ethical and sustainable, person-centred adult social care.
- Provide information and guidance to empower adult social care providers in Scotland to build local-level infrastructure around international recruitment and pastoral support.
- Promote international recruitment is ethical and “candidate centred” providing effective induction, pastoral, and professional support.
- Share new, innovative, and collaborative approaches to locally led international recruitment to reduce duplication and competition.
- Centrally coordinate guidance and best practice resources/materials to support effective international recruitment plans, pastoral and professional best practice and overall implementation provided by NES and CWSS.
- Share learning and best practice to promote consistent, high-quality recruitment and retention initiatives via an online community of practice for international recruitment leads to allow easier sharing of ideas and discussion.
The role of each partner
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) has an advisory role coordinating and providing advice on international recruitment and pastoral support and working with providers to promote best practice.
COSLA participates in the strategic oversight and overall governance of the project as a key stakeholder, also providing expert input and guidance into project development and delivery. They will also contribute to the evaluation of the pilot project.
The Scottish Government is responsible for providing strategic oversight of the project to ensure it aligns with national-level policy. They offer constructive challenges, provide advice, and support the removal of barriers to implementation. Additionally, they are responsible for the provision and distribution of funding to social care providers.
Katherine Stevenson, Programme Lead
Katherine Stevenson, Programme Lead
Katherine is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the CWS Social Care Team, as well as taking on responsibility for leading the delivery of the CWS Health team’s work between June 2024 and May 2025. Having started her career as a HCSWs, she has over eleven years’ experience in policy and programme management, working for the NHS, Local Government and health charities. Since 2020, Katherine has specialised in health and social care workforce recruitment and retention challenges, including leading several workstreams for NHS England’s HCSW programme. During this time, she oversaw the delivery of pastoral support programmes and led the creation of the Chief Nursing Office for England and Chief Midwifery Office for England Healthcare Support Worker and Maternity Support Worker awards; alongside developing policy guidance on the safe practice principles for using nurses in maternity services.
Outside of work, Katherine enjoys reading and writing novels, occasionally cold water swimming, and exploring the wilds of Scotland with her partner.
Alan Povey, Senior Specialist Lead International Recruitment
Alan is a Senior Specialist Lead within the International Recruitment into Social Care, supporting care providers throughout Scotland to overcome the challenges of international recruitment.
He has worked in the NHS since the team was formed in June 2023 and prior to that spent 18 months with the Scottish Social Services Council, working on promoting international recruitment, and the recruitment of refugees and asylum seekers, into the Scottish social care sector. He has also championed the creation of networks for those involved in international recruitment to share best practice and seek support, as well as a network for the wider social care workforce planning community. Having led a number of workforce planning workstreams within NATO, the EU and the Royal Air Force, Alan was delighted to bring his experience of complex organisations to NES.
In his spare time Alan enjoys DIY projects and exercising his dogs, and himself, whilst exploring the Scottish countryside
Bryan Ewington, Project Officer
Bryan Ewington, Project Officer
Bryan is the Project Officer with the team providing support in creating our Masterclasses and Community of Practice Forums, management of the resources, data and advertisement of our work.
He has worked within NHS Education for Scotland since 2012 having come from a financial background. Starting with General Practice Quality Management. Following 10 years within Quality Management, Bryan moved over to the Technology Enhanced Learning team within NES and built up his experience of project management, delivery and a wealth of technological experience and knowledge.
Bryan also runs the fitness sessions within NES each morning and afternoon with the occasional evening session too. He enjoys football, diy projects and is a black belt in TaeKwonDo.
