International Recruitment (Migrant Worker Strategy)
Government's approach to international recruitment in adult social care has been to use overseas recruitment as a workforce supply measure, while promoting ethical recruitment practices, protecting migrant workers from exploitation and supporting long-term workforce sustainability. The strategy has primarily operated through the Health and Care Worker visa route, international recruitment support programmes and regional partnerships. More recently, policy has shifted towards supporting migrant care workers already in England and strengthening protections against poor employment practices.
International recruitment has played a significant role in helping adult social care respond to workforce shortages and vacancies. The Government has supported providers to recruit internationally while requiring adherence to the Code of Practice for International Recruitment of Health and Social Care Personnel, ensuring recruitment is ethical, transparent and fair.
Key objectives
- Address workforce shortages and recruitment challenges
- Support continuity of care through workforce capacity
- Ensure ethical recruitment practices
- Protect migrant workers from exploitation and poor employment practices
- Support the retention and wellbeing of internationally recruited staff
Ethical international recruitment
- Employers are expected to follow the UK Code of Practice for International Recruitment
- Recruitment should be fair, transparent and free from exploitative practices
International recruitment toolkit
- Guidance and resources help providers recruit internationally in a responsible manner
- Includes advice on sponsorship, onboarding, pastoral support and workforce integration
Regional international recruitment partnerships
- Government funding supports regional partnerships that help providers recruit and support international workers.
- Partnerships also help internationally recruited staff who have become displaced due to sponsor licence issues or unethical practices
- SESCA delivers the regional partnership in south east England
Supporting existing international workers
- Current policy places increasing emphasis on enabling providers to recruit experienced international care workers already living and working in England, particularly those seeking a new sponsor
Key benefits...
...for Adult Social Care providers
- Access to experienced care workers
- Additional recruitment capacity during workforce shortages
- Support with ethical recruitment and sponsorship processes
- Assistance from regional support networks and partnerships
...for international workers
- Opportunities to work and build careers in adult social care
- Access to employment support and pastoral assistance
- Greater protections against exploitation and unethical employment practices
Recent policy changes have increased the focus on:
- Building a sustainable domestic workforce
- Retaining existing international workers
- Supporting displaced migrant workers
- Ensuring ethical recruitment and employment practices across the sector
