The Centre for Workforce Supply - Social Care
The Centre for Workforce Supply Social Care team (CWSS) in NHS Education for Scotland (NES), commissioned by Scottish Government, is 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
Programme Background
The Centre for Workforce Supply Social Care (CWSS) team 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.
This feasibility study was tripartite collaboration between CWSS, Scottish Government and the Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
- NHS Education for Scotland (NES) had an advisory role, coordinating and providing advice on international recruitment and pastoral support; and working with providers to promote best practice.
- The Scottish Government was responsible for providing strategic oversight of the project to ensure it aligned with national-level policy. They offered constructive challenge, provided advice, and supported the removal of barriers to implementation. Additionally, they were responsible for the provision and distribution of funding to social care providers.
- COSLA participated in the strategic oversight and overall governance of the project as a key stakeholder and provided expert input and guidance into project development and delivery. They also contributed to the evaluation of the pilot project.
The study concluded in August 2024, having supported 40 people into roles in adult social care in Scotland.
Between august 2024 and March 2025, the team have continued to provide a national infrastructure to social care providers in Scotland, to continue embedding ethical and sustainable, person-centred international recruitment through providing expertise, advice and signposting to the sector.
As on 2025/26, it will provide support to providers and staff a like to ensure that New Scots choosing to live and work in Scotland have the best possible experience. It will do this through supporting improvements, educating organisations on ethical and sustainable, person-centred international recruitment practices, and connecting the sector.
- Improve – engage with providers and staff to provide advice, expertise and signposting to ensure New Scots have the best possible experience of working in adult social care in Scotland.
- Educate – work with the sector to embed ethical and sustainable international recruitment practices, understand the scope of their visa and embed pastoral support for their employees.
- Connect - Coordinating activity at a national level, on salient workforce issues; acting as a conduit between SG and providers; and connecting up relevant areas of work and activity within NES.
CWSS Offer
The CWSS team offers a range of support to both the sector and internationally recruited staff.
Support for New Scots working in adult social care in Scotland:
- Quarterly Forum
- Candidates Guide (TURAS)
Support offer for Adult Social Care Providers:
- Linked In Network: Keep up to date with new resources, social care workforce updates, policy and guideline changes and all our events by signing up to our main social media account at International Recruitment into Scottish Social Care | Groups | LinkedIn
- Monthly webinars in the form of communities of practice and lunch and learn master classes: Focusing on important action points, information and informative discussion on social care employment items. View our previous events in our Webinars, Newsletters, case studies section.
- TURAS Site: Find all you need to know on recruitment in adult social care within our Turas Learn site - International recruitment into adult social care
- CWSS Inbox: Contact the CWSS team direct with any queries or request via our mailbox nes.cwssocial@nhs.scot 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.
