An additional 35,000 to 70,000 care workers will be needed across England due to the government’s mandatory vaccinations policy, according to Care England.
The largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care is calling on the government for more support for what it has dubbed a “workforce crisis” in the sector.
“Quite simply care providers are at breaking point. The writing is on the wall and without immediate help, as given to the NHS, the social care sector will crumple and not be there to support the NHS over the winter let alone in years to come,” said chief executive Martin Green (pictured).
Care England has urged the government to take suggestions on board and implement them as soon as possible, including expanding the workforce by recruiting from abroad and reducing the qualifying level for overseas recruitment for social care staff (£25,600).
In addition, it wants all care workers to the Shortage Occupation List and reducing the salary threshold for immigration.
Further suggestions include waiving the Immigration Skills Charge for care workers, a fast-track system to grant visas under sponsorship licenses for people working in social care, bonuses/pay rises, direct support to help fund those suffering from PTSD, and the continuation of Covid funds.
Green added: “We have done an enormous amount of work on what could and should be done to help the adult social care workforce and hope that we can look to the government for support”.
