Workforce Is Our Most Important Resource

Care England, the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care, has submitted evidence to the Migration Advisory Committee regarding its review of the salary threshold and points based system.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:

“Social care staff are our most precious and important resource. Recruitment and retention of social care staff is a huge challenge which could be further exacerbated by the proposed rise in salary threshold. The sector’s ability to adjust to such thresholds is extremely limited by the current underfunding which characterises the social care sector”.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent body that advises the government on migration issues. In its submission, Care England has suggested that any future immigration policy needs to reflect that we need a steady flow of immigrant workers to fill social care vacancies. The Care England 2019 conference and exhibition taking place next week will shine a spotlight on the social care workforce and the steps it’s taking to meet the challenges of effective delivery in today’s economic climate.

http://www.careengland.org.uk/care-england-conference-and-exhibition

Martin Green continues:

“We must not forget that care workers are front line staff and we simply cannot afford to do without them. They, together with Nursing Associates, must be added to the Shortage Occupation List as soon as possible”.

Care England has urged the MAC to consider the inherent fragility of the care market and the potential for even minimal changes in immigration to destabilise it even further.