7 August 2007

Press Release

National Care Association (NCA) extremely concerned at the latest developments in the recruitment of staff from non EU countries

 National Care Association has received a number of worried phone calls from members in the last few weeks. Each of the calls has related to the refusal of an extension to a work permit from a member of staff from a non EU country.

 Additionally NCA’s Chief Executive has undertaken local radio interviews on the same subject. 

It would appear that the Home Office has changed the criteria for work permits for non EU nationals and failed to inform the sector.

NCA Board member Mandy Thorn who represents NCA on the Work Permits UK panel for health and social care said today: “This is an extremely serious developing situation. The Home Office has failed to realise the impact that this decision would have on the sector.

The staff in question in these incidents have NVQ level 3 in Care or the equivalent but the shortage in staff applies at all levels of the social care sector. 

There is a major shortfall in the pool of staff available for recruitment to social care in many parts of the United Kingdom. The Home Office needs to understand that care providers need staff with all levels of care qualification and these carers are not readily available from EU countries with the level of expertise in English required. It is extremely important in social care that there is good communication between carer and service user and this is not always possible when staff are being employed within the European Union.

This is a very worrying time for care providers, when they know that if an extension to a work permit is refused it may be impossible to recruit someone with the same expertise and qualifications.”

ENDS 

For further information please contact Sheila Scott on 0207 831 7090