Comments from Oliver Smith, Interim CEO, Syncurio. – Originally published in April 2024
As a leading provider of Care Home Management Software, we at Syncurio are deeply concerned about the recent tightening of visa restrictions for migrant workers in the UK, particularly within the context of the social care sector. This issue, highlighted in a recent article titled “UK home care workers cannot work as visa regime tightened,” published in The Guardian, outlines this critical challenge facing our industry.
As a company, Syncurio is committed to enhancing operational efficiency in care homes through industry collaboration and innovative technology solutions. A significant aspect of our work involves ensuring compliance with UK Border Agency (UKBA) regulations. Our HR module has proven invaluable for care homes looking to navigate the complex landscape of immigration laws and sponsorship obligations.
However, despite having access to tools like these, the tightening of visa restrictions is presenting challenges for care homes across the country.
The social care sector, already strained by staffing shortages exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, relies heavily on migrant workers to fill essential roles. These workers play an indispensable role in providing care to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Yet, the prospect of further restrictions on their ability to work in the UK threatens the quality of care provided and the sustainability and viability of our care home system.
While it is understandable that the government seeks to prevent illegal trafficking of workers, any measures taken must not hinder the vital flow of skilled individuals into the care sector.
As covered in The State of Adult Social Care and Workforce 2023 report by Skills for Care, and a hot topic that’s spearheaded by Neil Eastwood, founder of Care Friends, the demand for skilled care workers far outweighs the available workforce, and further restrictions will only exacerbate this imbalance.
Recent data from the CQC State of Care 2022/23 report also paints a stark picture of the impact of staff shortages on the quality of care. According to their findings, over half of respondents to the survey of adult social care providers in England said they were having challenges recruiting new staff and 31% said they were having challenges in retaining them.
From all these data points, it’s clear to us, and wider industry stakeholders, that policymakers need to adopt a more flexible approach to immigration policies. We must work together to find sustainable solutions that support the needs of our care homes.
In conclusion, the tightening of visa restrictions for migrant workers presents a significant obstacle to the continued success of the UK care sector. As an industry, we must come together to address these challenges head on and advocate for policies that support the recruitment and retention of skilled care professionals. By doing so, we can ensure the provision of high quality care to those who depend on it most.
For more information about Syncurio’s HR module see here. To schedule a free demo, email [email protected] or contact us at 020 4525 0299.
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