The International Rescue Committee (IRC) UK is working with the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board to support health and social care providers in building and retaining a strong, diverse workforce.

Through our programmes, we prepare refugees and other newcomers for employment, helping employers access motivated candidates, including internationally educated professionals, who are ready to contribute to the sector. 

Partner with us

We work closely with the Integrated Care Board, local authorities, and voluntary and community organisations. We are also keen to partner directly with health and social care employers, including private providers.

We can support you to:

  • Access a wider, skilled talent pool  
  • Improve recruitment and retention outcomes  
  • Build a more inclusive and resilient workforce  

We are currently working with employers across: North Cumbria (Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness), Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland. 

How we prepare candidates

Our support builds on IRC UK’s established Economic Empowerment programmes and is tailored to the health and social care sector. Participants receive:

  • Sector-specific training on roles and workplace expectations  
  • Job search, CV, and interview preparation  
  • Contextualised English (ESOL) for health and care settings  
  • Tailored 1:1 coaching and ongoing in-work support  

This approach helps ensure candidates are ready not only to enter employment, but to succeed and stay.

Get in touch

Employers 

To discuss recruitment or partnership opportunities, contact our Economic Empowerment team: ee@rescue-uk.org 

Candidates and referral partners 

Refugees in the region can self-refer to the programme. We also welcome referrals from local authorities and VCSE partners. 
Please note: current programmes are open to candidates with Entry Level 2 English or above.

Learn more about our wider employment support services for refugees 

Our impact

45%

of clients receiving employment support from the IRC have reached an employment goal of receiving a job offer, being promoted, starting a volunteer placement or enrolling on a vocational training course.

The IRC provides Job Readiness Training to refugees who are keen to start their careers in the UK. The course covers every aspect of employment in the UK, from how to write a CV and cover letter to interview techniques.

More about our employment support

2,600+

Educators reached since our Healing Classrooms programme launched in May 2022.

The Healing Classrooms programme offers free training to educators on how to offer children a safe and predictable place to learn and cope with the consequences of conflict and displacement.

Learn more about Healing Classrooms

1,522

refugees and asylum seekers received employability, English language, integration and/or wellbeing support in 2024.

Our UK programmes help people fleeing from war, violence and persecution in countries like Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Sudan and Iraq.