The Experiences of International Social Care Workers in the UK

The demand for social care workers looks set continue to increase, owing to a number of factors, including demographic changes and survival of people with long-term social care needs. At the same time, the supply of good quality care workers will remain limited. It is important to realise the value of international workers to the sector, whether they are recruited directly from their home countries or following arrival in the UK. By highlighting the challenges and attempting to address them through strategies for the whole workforce, as well as international workers; and through the development of clear career pathways and thinking about making the most of the many personal qualities such workers bring; the sector may be better able to retain good staff and provide a higher standard of support to its users.