London, 25 December
Foreign social care workers, care assistants and home care workers, including those from India, will soon be eligible for UK health and care visas for a period of 12 months as part of temporary measures to bridge the gap in the sector. will be eligible for
The UK government said on Friday it could recruit thousands of additional care workers after a temporary change to the plan to boost the adult social care workforce, making it difficult for social care employers to recruit qualified workers to fill critical gaps. It will be faster, cheaper and easier. ,
These workers work in government-supported care homes and also look after the elderly and disabled in their homes.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said, “The care sector is facing unprecedented challenges induced by the pandemic and the changes we have made in health and care visas will boost the workforce and help alleviate some of the pressures currently being experienced. will help.”
“This is our new Scheme for Immigration in Action, delivering on our commitment to supporting the NHS and the wider health and care sector by making it easier for health professionals to live and work in the UK,” she said.
The change follows recommendations from the UK’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to qualify care workers and home caregivers for health and care visas and add occupations to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The minimum annual wage upon inclusion in SOL for carers to qualify for a health and care visa is set at GBP 20,480.
The British government said the coronavirus pandemic has exposed staff shortages within the social care sector, putting pressure on existing staff. The temporary measures announced this week are expected to go into effect early next year and will be in place for at least 12 months, giving a boost to employees while the sector deals with the added pressures of the pandemic and its minimum period of time. will be reviewed. ,
“It is important that we continue to do everything we can to protect the social care sector during and after the pandemic,” Health Secretary Sajid Javid said.
“These measures, along with the series of support packages announced since September, will help us ensure short-term stability and success for our long-term approach to improving social care,” he said.
Since Brexit, social care workers from European Union (EU) countries are no longer automatically eligible to work in the UK and instead have to apply for visas as in other countries.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said care providers who do not already have a sponsor license in the skilled worker pathway can register for a sponsorship license before it goes into effect as early as next year. Providers who are new to Visa sponsorship will be supported through the process through a series of engagement activities in January and February to familiarize themselves with the system and learn how to act as a Visa sponsor.
Care workers and carers admitted to the UK will be able to bring their dependents, including partners and children, with a health and care visa if they remain employed and wish to remain in the UK.
“We recognize the challenges faced by the workforce, with increasing demand for services combined with the pandemic and current staff shortages. Care Minister Gillian Keegan said, “This change will aid more people in care as we implement our long-term strategy for a fair and sustainable care sector that meets the needs of all.”
Under the existing rules, anyone working in a Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulated care home of DHSC is required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to comply with the rules. Those working in comprehensive social care settings should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by April 1, 2022. – PTI