Kate Skitakova
February 25, 2025

Care Worker Recruitment: Latest Rules!

The UK government has introduced new rules that will change the way care providers recruit staff from overseas. Set to take effect on 9 April 2025, these changes aim to prioritise
international care workers already in England, curb exploitation, and reduce reliance on overseas recruitment. While the move is intended to protect workers and improve the social
care sector, concerns have been raised about its potential impact on staffing levels.

Key Changes in Care Worker Recruitment

Care providers must now prove they have attempted to recruit international workers already in England before hiring from overseas.
A new minimum salary threshold of £12.82 per hour will be introduced for care workers on the Skilled Worker visa.
Employers must provide confirmation from their regional partnership that they have prioritised recruiting care workers who have lost sponsorship before seeking new hires from abroad.
The government is continuing to revoke sponsor licences from employers found guilty of exploitation, with over 470 licences revoked between July 2022 and December 2024.

The Reason Behind the Changes

The UK government has linked these new measures to its Plan for Change, which aims to
reform the immigration system and reduce reliance on overseas labour. The goal is to protect workers from exploitation, ensure fair wages, and encourage the employment of those who have already moved to the UK for care work. Seema Malhotra, Minister for Migration
and Citizenship, stated:

“Those who have come to the UK to support our adult care sector should have the opportunity to do so, free from abuse and exploitation.”

The Growing Issue of Worker Exploitation

Reports indicate that many international care workers have been subjected to excessive work hours, high debts, and even job loss due to employer misconduct. The Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) reported that between April and June 2024, 61% of all exploitation concerns were related to the care sector.

Industry Response and Concerns

The new rules have sparked concern among care providers, who argue that they could make recruitment even more challenging. Over the last two years, the UK care sector has become increasingly dependent on international workers, with 105,000 overseas hires in 2023-24, up from 80,000 in 2022-23. At the same time, the number of British workers in the sector has fallen by 70,000.

The Homecare Association has warned that these requirements will exacerbate staffing
shortages in an already struggling sector. Jane Townson, Chief Executive of the Homecare
Association, commented:

“The government is imposing immigration restrictions without fixing the broken commissioning system that makes stable employment impossible. You cannot legislate for better working conditions while simultaneously underfunding the services expected to provide them.”

Impact on Care Providers and Job Seekers

For care providers, these changes mean additional bureaucratic hurdles before hiring new staff. Providers must first work with regional partnerships to find employment for workers who lost sponsorship due to employer misconduct before recruiting from abroad.

For job seekers already in the UK, this could mean more opportunities. The government’s £16 million fund announced last year aims to help affected workers find new jobs and receive pastoral support.

The Future of Care Worker Recruitment

While the government insists these changes will strengthen the sector, concerns remain about the impact on recruitment and workforce stability. The rise in the minimum wage for care workers on Skilled Worker visas , coupled with funding shortfalls in the care sector, may create further challenges for providers trying to meet growing demand.

The care sector plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable individuals and improving their
quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to have staff with the right training.

Stay ahead with expert training from Access Skills !