UK Immigration Rules To Be Relaxed To Recruit Social Care Workers

The government of the United Kingdom has announced plans to relax Immigration rules on Care workers jobs as the social Care sector increasingly struggles to attract and keep workers. Due to Brexit and as part of efforts to address challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following professionals: Social Care Workers,  Care Assistants, and home care workers are to become eligible for health and care visas for 12 months.

The United Kingdom stated that this measure would make it easier to fill the gaps in the workforce.

This announcement came as a result of warning the sector faced “severe and increasing “problems with hiring and keeping staff after Brexit.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said Care workers will be added to the shortage occupation list after a preliminary review was carried out by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)into the effect of ending freedom of movement after Brexit on the social care sector and its workers.

UK IMMIGRATION RULES TO BE RELAXED TO RECRUIT SOCIAL CARE WORKERS

The government statement reads as follows:

” Thousands of additional Care workers could be recruited to boost the adult social care workforce following temporary changes to the health and care visa to make social care workers,  care assistants and home care workers eligible for a 12-months period.  This will make it quicker,  cheaper and easier for social Care employers to recruit eligible workers to fill vital gaps ”

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted a range of staff shortages within the social care sector, placing pressures on the existing workforce,  despite the incredible and tireless efforts of the social care staff.

“THE boost follows the recommendation from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to make Care workers and home carers qualify for the Health and Care visa and add the occupation to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL)

Inclusion on the Shortage Occupation List will stipulate an annual salary minimum of £20,480 for carers to qualify for the Health and Care visa.  The UK is committed to becoming a high-skilled high-wage economy and minimum salaries must reflect professional skills that are required to provide quality care. The Health and Care visa will allow applicants and their dependents to benefit from fast-track processing, dedicated resources in processing applications and reduced visa fees.

“The temporary measures are expected to come into effect early next year and will be in place for a minimum of 12 months, providing a much-needed staffing boost while the sector deals with the additional pressures of the pandemic, at which point they will be reviewed. ”

Speaking on the development, Sajid Javid, UK health and social care secretary,  said the recruitment will boost the country’s efforts to effectively tackle the pandemic.

“It is vital we continue to do all we can to protect the social Care sector during the pandemic and beyond. These measures, together with the series of support packages announced since September, will help us ensure short-term sustainability and success for our long-term vision to build social care back better” Javid said.

On her part, Priti Patel, home secretary,  said the recruitment will relieve the pressure experienced in the UK health sector as a result of COVID.

The care sector is experiencing unprecedented challenges prompted by the pandemic and the changes we’ve made to the health and care visa will bolster the workforce and helping alleviate some of the pressures currently being experienced she said.

This is our new plan for immigration in action, delivering our commitment to support the NHS and the wider health and care sector by making it easier for health professionals to live and work in the UK.”

Successful applicants will also be allowed to bring their dependents “including partners and children”.

That’s all for now on UK Immigration Rules To Be Relaxed To Recruit Social Care Workers

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