Homecare Association responds to a sharp decline in care visas issued by the Home Office
The Homecare Association is concerned about the 76% drop in care worker visas issued by the Home Office in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This steep decline, from 50,900 visas to just 12,400, is not because of a shortage of overseas workers eager to contribute their skills to the UK care sector. Nor is it because migrant care workers may no longer bring dependants. Rather, it stems from changes to Home Office and UKVI rules that make it almost impossible for homecare providers to meet new criteria, especially the requirement to provide evidence of guaranteed hours of work from commissioners. Most councils and NHS contracts do not guarantee the hours of homecare they will purchase from homecare providers.
With a decrease in international care workers, there is a risk of a further decline in homecare capacity in the UK. This means people may not receive the support they need to remain at home. This could lead to more hospital admissions and longer stays in hospital for those who cannot go home without care.
The Homecare Association urges the government to create a workable immigration system for the care sector. The government must acknowledge the rising demand for homecare and the way commissioners operate. They must ensure ethical providers can recruit sponsored workers to meet needs. Fundamentally, though, we call for greater investment in the UK's homecare workforce to ensure high-quality care for all who need it.
Commenting on the report, Dr Jane Townson OBE, CEO of the Homecare Association, said:
“The sharp drop in care visas issued so far in 2024 threatens to destabilise homecare provision at a time of critical need. While international recruitment is helping to address immediate shortages, it is not a long-term solution. We need urgent government action and investment to attract and retain a skilled homecare workforce within the UK. By providing fair pay, stable income, and appealing working conditions, we can enable homecare services to flourish, so we can all live well at home.”
Contacts
Ella Owens, Policy Specialist – External Affairs
Email - [email protected]
Mobile number - 07393 012 113
Notes to editors
- The Homecare Association is the UK’s membership body for homecare providers, with over 2,200 members nationally. Our mission is to ensure that homecare receives the investment it deserves, so all of us can live well at home and flourish within our communities. The Homecare Association acts as a trusted voice, taking a lead in shaping homecare, in collaboration with partners across the care sector. It also provides hands-on support and practical tools for its members. The Homecare Association's members agree to abide by the Association's Code of Practice.