Care workers to be on shortage occupation list
By Gemma Raw
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced that care workers will join social workers and senior care professionals on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The move to make care workers eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa is temporary but will be in place for at least 12 months. It was prompted by a recommendation from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which recently carried out a review of the effect Brexit has had on recruitment for social care.
The Government has also cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for bringing in the temporary change. It says that the pandemic has "highlighted a range of staff shortages in the social care sector, placing pressures on the existing workforce, despite the tireless efforts of social care staff". In addition, Mandatory vaccination for all staff working in CQC-regulated care homes has impacted recruitment and retention.
"It's vital that we continue to do all we can to protect the social care sector during the pandemic and beyond," said Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid. "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."
What is the Health and Care Worker visa?
Launched in August 2020, the Health and Care Worker visa enables medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to work in the NHS, an NHS supplier or in an adult social care role.
All social care jobs in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code 6145 will now be included in the eligibility criteria for the visa. This includes care workers and home carers who attend to the personal needs and comforts of the elderly and infirm with care and support needs, within residential care establishments, day care establishments or in their own homes. Relevant job titles include care assistant, care worker, carer, home care assistant, home carer and nursing home support worker.
How does the SOL work?
The SOL comprises a list of occupations where employers face a shortage of suitable labour and where it is sensible to fill those shortages with migrant workers. The Government periodically commissions the MAC to recommend which occupations should be placed on the SOL. However, ultimately it is for the Government to decide which occupations are selected.
Anyone from overseas who is applying for a job which is listed on the SOL is eligible to apply for a visa to allow them to work in the UK, as long as they also meet the other relevant criteria, such as having an acceptable standard of spoken and written English.
Positive reaction
Care providers have generally reacted positively to the inclusion of care workers on the SOL. "We very much welcome the Government reacting quickly and positively to the urgent recommendation made by the MAC to place care workers on the SOL," commented Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive of NHS Employers and Deputy Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, speaking on behalf of the Cavendish Coalition. "This is a significant recognition of the profound workforce challenges facing colleagues and services across social care, and the need to resume meaningful recruitment of staff from outside the UK."
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