VODG Welcomes Recognition of International Care Workers in new Settlement Rules
Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability group (VODG) says:
‘We welcome the announcement by the Home Secretary that eligible international care workers who arrived in the country before May 2025 will retain a five-year pathway to settled status and that plans to use volunteering to expedite the right to remain have been dropped. These are changes VODG, our members and many across the health and care sector have been calling for, and provide more certainty and security for international workers who have built their lives and careers here.
'International workers are an essential part of the social care workforce. They bring valuable skills, experience and commitment, playing a vital role in supporting disabled people to live the lives they choose. They are valued colleagues and an integral part of the teams providing high-quality, person-centred care and support across the country.
‘While the announcement provides helpful assurance for individuals, and for the organisations and people who rely on them, workforce challenges persist across social care and we again urge government to build on the cross-sector Adult Social care Workforce Strategy coordinated by Skills for Care, the Care Provider Alliance and others, to turn the ambition for a thriving, sustainable sector, into reality.’
ENDS
- Home Office Press Release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-unveils-new-rules-for-migrants-settling-in-the-uk
- VODG previously joined over 300 charities in calling on the Home Office to rethink proposals on compulsory volunteering as part of earning an indefinite right to remain.