Immigration Changes and What This Means for International Recruitment

Dear Members,

The care market faces acute staffing shortages, and, with insufficient domestic recruits, the sector relies heavily on international care workers to deliver essential support to the most vulnerable in our communities. The Government’s newly published immigration white paper – alongside changes to National Insurance contributions and fee uplifts that remain below inflation – will further increase pressure on care providers who are already struggling to meet the care needs of local people.

We want to reassure providers: it is still possible to recruit care workers already in the UK on valid visas who are seeking new sponsorship.

So far, we are seeing a rise in sponsor licence revocations across the adult social care sector, leaving many international care workers suddenly displaced – often at risk of losing employment and accommodation through no fault of their own. This situation is understandably distressing for affected individuals and deeply concerning for the providers who depend on them.

Many of these displaced care workers are skilled, experienced, and eager to continue contributing to the sector. By connecting with this existing talent pool, providers can help stabilise their workforce while offering continuity of employment to those impacted.

Norfolk Care Association offers a dedicated International Recruitment Inbox to support this. We are here to:

• Signpost displaced international care workers to ethical providers with valid sponsorship licences

• Support providers in identifying candidates already residing in the UK

• Facilitate communication and collaboration across the local sector

If you are an employer with available roles, or an individual affected by a sponsor licence revocation, please contact us at internationalsupport@norfolkcareassociation.org.uk.

We remain committed to supporting both care providers and international care workers through this challenging period.