12 May 2025, 18:45 | Updated: 12 May 2025, 18:50

By Kevin Humphrys

The government’s recent decision to end the recruitment of care workers from abroad later this year is deeply worrying for the social care sector.

This abrupt policy shift will have a profound impact on care providers like Oakland Care Group, where international recruitment has been a cornerstone of maintaining a stable workforce.

Without access to skilled workers from overseas, it would have been significantly harder for us to ensure that we had the right staff to deliver the high-quality care our residents deserve. Social care is not just about filling vacancies; it’s about having compassionate, skilled individuals who can provide dignity and comfort to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

The previous relaxation of immigration rules, which allowed us to recruit care workers under the health and care visa scheme, was a lifeline for the sector. It helped stem the tide of workforce shortages and brought in committed, skilled professionals who demonstrated lower absenteeism rates, a strong sense of commitment, and consistently high standards. This programme didn’t just fill gaps; it set a benchmark for the quality of care we aspire to provide.

Now, with the removal of this vital recruitment pathway, the sector is being placed in an impossible position.........

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