International Recruitment in Social Care Survey Reveals “Concerns”
Campaigners in Scotland have expressed concern that a loss of overseas workers due to increased red tape could have a “severe and dramatic impact” on social care.
Scottish Care, the representative body for independent social care providers in Scotland, has conducted a survey revealing significant challenges faced by care providers in recruiting and retaining internationally recruited staff.
The findings shed light on the potential risks to social care service delivery across Scotland due to recent decisions by the Home Office regarding international recruitment pathways.
The survey was initiated in response to Scottish Care member reports regarding increasing difficulties in international recruitment.
The Home Office’s decision to request additional documentation and communication issues exacerbated concerns among care providers, particularly around Certificates of Sponsorship.
Data gathered from the survey revealed several key insights:
Over 66% of Scottish Care members are currently recruiting staff from overseas, indicating a heavy reliance on international recruitment pathways.
However, 68% of respondents expressed reluctance to consider international recruitment in the future, due to concerns over sustainability and financially viability.
Respondents from 14 Local Authority areas indicate that care providers employ over 15% of staff from overseas, with 7 areas reporting over 25%.
Alarmingly, some care providers reported between 95 – 100% of staff being internationally recruited, posing significant risks to service sustainability.
Scottish Care said: “These findings highlight a serious concern over the sustainability of social care delivery in Scotland. The potential loss of internationally recruited staff could intensify the existing vacancy challenges and impact overall service provision.”
“Scottish Care urges policymakers to address the urgent issues facing social care recruitment. Immediate action is needed to protect social care service provision and support the sector’s workforce.”
A government spokesperson said: “Care workers make a vital contribution to society, but immigration is not the long-term answer to our social care needs.
“120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 care workers in the year ending Sep 2023, and these numbers are unsustainable which is why we laid measures in Parliament to cut this figure.”
