Migration Advisory Commission to review impact of immigration on social care workforce

The United Kingdom Home Care Association (UKHCA) has welcomed the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC’s) upcoming review of the impact of immigration changes on the adult social Care workforce.

In a letter, Kevin Foster, Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, has written to ask MAC chair Professor Brian Bell to review the adult social care workforce (such as skills shortages) covering the range of caring roles in adult social care including care workers, registered nurses and managerial roles, visa options for social care workers, long term consequences for workforce recruitment, training and employee terms and conditions.

Mr Foster writes: ‘I ask you to consider these points and provide recommendations on how to address the issues which the sector is experiencing with the immigration system and to highlight, where they arise within the scope of the review, wider issues for the government’s consideration, such as employee terms and conditions.'

UKHCA’s policy director Colin Angel said: "Across the country, homecare providers are telling us recruitment and retention of careworkers has become far more challenging in recent months."

"UKHCA welcomes government’s decision to review the immigration arrangements affecting adult social care. The fact that careworkers are not able to access the Skilled Worker visa exacerbates recruitment challenges during coronavirus and beyond."

Mr Foster also adds: ‘The government will consider the recommendations and determine the appropriate course of action to take where it relates to reserved matters. Where any recommendations relate to matters which are devolved, it will be the responsibility of the Scottish Government, Welsh Government or Northern Ireland Executive to determine how these should be taken forward.

‘The MAC should feel free to consult with the devolved administrations, government departments, local authorities and other stakeholders as they deem necessary. This could include (but is not limited to) a public call for evidence to the sector and other stakeholders.’

Mr Angel added: "Even if the government delivers on its commitment to reform of the care system, changes to migration policy are needed urgently to ensure that we have sufficient committed and skilled care workers to provide the quality of support we and our loved ones expect and deserve."

The MAC has been asked to engage with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and other appropriate parties, including Skills for Care, during its review, to ensure the work complements the wider reform work being undertaken by DHSC. Mr Foster has also asked if the MAC could report by the end of April 2022.

To read the letter in full, click here