A change in Migration policy will see Home Care Workers added to the Shortage Occupation List.
The Shortage Occupation List is made up of positions with a short supply of possible applicants from the resident UK working population. As a result they enjoy a more relaxed criteria giving employers access to a wider pool of appropriately skilled workers.
With an estimated 100,000 current vacancies in the Home Care sector and burgeoning demand in the community this change of policy has been welcomed by leaders in the sector, Homecare Association's CEO Dr Jane Townson said:
“The Homecare Association very much welcomes the government’s decision to add care workers to the Shortage Occupation List, which makes it more feasible to obtain Health and Care Visas.
The change will mean it is easier for companies to appoint care assistants from overseas to help maintain and grow workforce capacity. The shortage of new home grown applicants does mean that care Providers have been unable to take on new clients leading some to go without care or to continue to be supported by unpaid carers such as their relatives.
A Government spokesperson said:
“We want to see employers make long-term investments in the UK domestic workforce instead of relying on labour from abroad. Our Plan for Jobs is helping people across the country retrain, build new skills and get back into work.
“We are doing everything we can to support the incredibly hardworking care staff by including investing £462.5 million in workforce recruitment and retention funds, expanding the health and care visa scheme and promoting our ‘Made with Care’ recruitment campaign.”