Ending international recruitment of care workers risks severe staff shortages, say practitioners

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Most social workers oppose the government’s move to end international recruitment of care workers, a poll has found.

Earlier this month, home secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the new policy would come into place later this year, with a view to reducing annual levels of immigration by 7,000 a year.

Rise in overseas recruitment

International recruitment saw a sharp rise in 2021, when the then government relaxed immigration rules to allow providers to recruit senior care workers on the health and care worker visa. This was extended to all care workers the following year.

The move resulted in a reduction in vacancy levels, from a record high of 164,000, in 2022, to 131,000 in 2024, and reduced turnover rates to their lowest level in a decade.

While overseas recruitment has diminished due to immigration restrictions introduced by the Conservatives in 2024, it has continued to be a vital helping hand for struggling care organisations.

Risk of extreme workforce shortages

Social care bodies like Homecare Association and Care England have warned that the new policy would be withdrawing a “lifeline” from the care sector and risking “extreme workforce shortages”.

The majority of practitioners (71%) in a recent Community Care poll, which received 2,900 votes, agreed, voicing similar concerns.

The rest (29%) agreed with the government’s move, saying that the focus should shift to “strengthening and investing in the domestic workforce”.

Calls to increase pay

However, comments under the related article were split between criticising low pay for care workers in putting off potential domestic recruits and praising the policy for addressing the exploitation of people from overseas.

“Increase the pay, value, status and training for this job, and you will be inundated with applications from Brits,” said Tom J.

“Right now, we have poor pay, limited training, and pressure for rushed visits.”

He was echoed by Dave Humphreys, who said carers were left surviving on the minimum wage while carrying out a job that was “physically and emotionally exhausting”.

“No wonder there’s a shortage of Brits that will do the job,” he added.

Gill Paterson connected the move to the Labour government’s other objective of getting more people who are on out-of-work benefits back to work.

She said: “People who have been taken off benefits and shoehorned into working in the care sector, possibly on lower pay and with limited training, are unlikely to have any interest in interacting sympathetically with vulnerable people.

“This is a recipe for minimum care combined with a lack of empathy.”

‘Overseas care staff help keep salaries low’

Others praised the policy, saying that the status quo exploited international workers for their willingness to put in long hours for little pay.

“Care companies and (most other major employers) love immigrants because it helps keep the salaries low!” said Tom.

“If that supply continues, there is no requirement or need to increase pay. We should be investing in the UK workforce in every sector, not recruiting anyone from abroad.”

Heather March added: “These people are being charged thousands for their visas and arriving in the UK to live in poverty.

“They are forced to sign zero-hour contracts, in direct opposition to the rules on skilled worker visas. Many find themselves with not enough hours to [be able] to afford food. The standard of care provided is at best adequate and at worst dangerous, with no training.”

She speculated that due to visa fears, many international workers would be unwilling to admit to the working conditions they were subjected to.

‘Not fit for purpose’

Emmelina, a senior care professional who works in a company that offers day shifts to African care workers, said their training was below standard.

“They are been forced to work from 7am to 10pm, paid crap wages and some barely speak enough English to communicate with the people they are caring for,” she said.

“I love my job, but am considering moving out of the sector because I realise I will never be able to afford a house or even use the service I provide when I’m old. If you want good workers, pay them properly – it doesn’t matter where they come from. You get what you pay for, and this sector pays badly.”

Another care worker, Jane Smith, said she was struggling to find a job, despite having years of experience in the field. She quit her previous job when she realised international carers were paid more than her for doing the same role.

“The home I used to work in was struggling to recruit, but then sponsored overseas workers. [Now] if there is a vacancy, it is filled by overseas workers,” she added.

“Obviously, I would like a better wage, but I do the job despite the terrible pay, because I love it.”