Finding the right people has always been one of the biggest challenges in health and social care.
Over the past two years, that challenge has changed again.
Changes to immigration policy have reshaped the recruitment market, meaning many providers are now placing greater emphasis on retaining staff, developing their existing workforce and finding recruitment partners who understand the sector.
The Workforce Still Relies on International Professionals
International recruitment has played a vital role in supporting health and social care for many years.
Today, around one in four people working in the UK health and social care workforce is an international worker. They make up around 36% of doctors, 30% of nurses, and in some parts of the country, particularly London, they account for up to 40% of adult social care staff.
These professionals continue to play a significant role in keeping services running and supporting people every day.
Recruitment Rules Have Changed
Recent immigration reforms have changed how organisations recruit internationally.
Overseas recruitment for care worker roles has now closed, and restrictions around family dependants have also been introduced. At the same time, organisations sponsoring workers must continue to meet strict compliance requirements.
The impact has been significant.
Compared with peak recruitment levels, Health and Care Worker visa grants have fallen by more than 80%.
For many providers, this means relying less on overseas recruitment and placing greater focus on building and retaining a workforce already living and working in the UK.
Workforce Planning Is Becoming More Important
Recruitment is no longer just about replacing vacancies as they arise.
Many organisations are taking a longer-term view by asking questions such as:
- Do we have the skills our service will need next year?
- Are we doing enough to retain experienced staff?
- How can we develop the people already working for us?
- Are we prepared for future recruitment challenges?
Planning ahead helps reduce the pressure of reactive recruitment and creates greater stability for both staff and the people receiving care.
Retaining Good Staff Has Never Been More Valuable
When recruitment becomes more difficult, keeping experienced employees becomes even more important.
Replacing a member of staff doesn’t just involve advertising a vacancy.
It can mean increased recruitment costs, additional pressure on existing teams, more time spent interviewing and onboarding, and reduced continuity for the people using your service.
Many organisations are strengthening retention by investing in:
- career development
- training and professional qualifications
- supportive leadership
- staff wellbeing
- regular supervision
- recognising good performance
People are more likely to stay where they can see opportunities to grow and feel valued for the work they do.
There Are Still Opportunities Within the UK
Although overseas recruitment routes have changed, opportunities still exist within the UK workforce.
Current transitional arrangements allow certain in-country visa switches and extensions until July 2028, meaning some workers already living in the UK may still be eligible for sponsorship.
Graduate visa holders and other eligible workers may also present valuable recruitment opportunities, making workforce planning and compliance increasingly important for employers.
How Halo Staffing Can Help
At Halo Staffing, we understand the pressures providers are facing because we work with health and social care organisations every day.
Whether you need temporary staffing to cover short-term gaps or permanent recruitment to strengthen your workforce, we take the time to understand your service, the people you support and the type of candidates you’re looking for.
We also know that recruitment is only one part of building a stable workforce.
Alongside recruitment, we offer a wide range of health and social care training to help organisations develop their existing teams, improve retention and support career progression.
In a recruitment market that continues to change, having the right support can make all the difference.
Whether you’re reviewing your workforce plans, struggling to fill vacancies or looking for ways to retain the staff you already have, Halo Staffing is here to help. From flexible staffing solutions to permanent recruitment and workforce development, we work alongside providers to build resilient teams that deliver outstanding care.
For more information on how we can help you call us on 0800 368 9644, email us at [email protected] or click the button below to go straight to our website!
